Interview No. 1

I had a job interview a few days ago. I saw an ad for a writing position at a company that makes the industrial machines that make labels. So I spent a day putting together a new writing portfolio with a cover letter, my resume, a filled-in application, writing samples, magazine articles, and personal essays in clear plastic sheets in a presentation binder. I had my hair cut. I drove straight to the business address, walked in, handed my portfolio to the secretary, and she took it. She disappeared for a minute and came back and asked if I had some time, someone would like to meet with me.

When I walked in, I immediately felt like I had entered the office of Dunder Mifflin. Not that there were people yelling ridiculous commentary across the floor or playing Call of Duty or anything. But what hadn’t become clear to me until I arrived was that this was not a typical paper or office supply company, but specifically a sticker company. I would be leaving with a packet of sample sticker labels made by heavy-duty label printers, stickers such as NITROGEN and NITRIC ACID and a large label with instructions on how to use a blow torch.

I can dig it.

I wasn’t dressed for an interview—I wore jeans. Not that I didn’t put on makeup or try to look clean and nice. I wore my oxford heels. I wore a necklace, some Tenderheart lipstick. Unexpectedly, I ended up talking with the senior HR representative for an hour and taking a few tests to examine my comprehension, spelling, and computer knowledge. He said he was immediately impressed when he saw my portfolio. He wanted to meet with me.

It went very well. He said a writer will look at another writer’s work with either derision or awe. He said he was definitely not looking at my work with derision.

I don’t know if I’ll get the job, but I’m waiting to hear back perhaps this week about a second interview. If I don’t hear back, then that will be that.

So, in response to my survey, all of my questions haven’t been answered in any concrete form in my mind, but I have decided that I need to work somewhere other than home. Working from home is okay, but I need to be out, I need to be a part of my community, I need to be more active with the skills I have.

I was talking with Sam about past experiences I’ve had with jobs that were less than ideal, and I realized that a big reason I wasn’t feeling very fulfilled (or even good) in certain positions was because I felt that, despite the honest work I was doing, I was working for institutions that upheld principles I felt made the world a worse place. I don’t want to do that. I want to have a choice.

I don’t know what will become of this, but I hope something good. Eventually. Whichever way. Somehow. I trust that I’ll be taken care of, and not in the mafia sense.

Anyway, I’ll keep you posted.