The Interview

Tasmin’s hands shake a little as she lifts the over-full glass to take a sip of water, a few drops falling on her new skirt. Maintaining what she hopes is a confident smile she curses inwardly. ‘It was all going so well up until now’, she thinks anxiously. 

‘What a beautiful colour her nail polish is’. This is the woman from Human Resources. ‘Such a delicate pale pink which matches her handbag and compliments her outfit so well. She certainly has style. I’ll look for that shade at the nail-bar when I next visit. Maybe I could clear my diary on Friday afternoon and go then.’ Pulling herself back to the task of the day, Zarah makes a few (unrelated) notes on her pad and then listens to the candidate’s – what’s her name Tanya, Tabitha, Tasmin?, yes Tasmin – answer. It’s just a variation on everything else she’s heard already today of course; ‘Yes, I’m experienced in this…’,’ I’m sure I can add much to that…,’ and  ‘Of course I have ideas in relation to the other…’ So boring. Zarah’s mind wanders again, ‘what can I have for supper tonight?’

‘I knew she’s spill her water’, thinks Todd the potential colleague who had filled Tasmin’s glass just before the interview began. ‘Not so calm and confident now methinks, those shaky hands really give it all away; the real woman behind the polished image. OK, on paper she has all the skills and qualifications but absolutely NO knowledge of the institution. Not like me, not even short-listed after working in the department for nearly a decade and to add insult to injury they invite me onto the interview panel. Seriously? ‘

‘This one’s a looker. Pretty face, shapely legs and those hands. I can just imagine what  those long, lovely fingers could do to me. Pay attention Geoff’, he admonishes himself. ‘Plenty of time for such thoughts once she’s got the job as his deputy. No need to pay much attention to any of the remaining interviewees.’

‘She’s doing very well, and her CV is impressive’, thinks Jayne. ‘Nervous of course but genuine and likeable as well as highly qualified. Why she would want to work with this lot I can’t imagine though. If she gets the job I’ll be sure to reach out, make some links and support her all I can.’

Her hands safely back in her lap, Tamsin is back in her stride. The questions are easy and the panel friendly. She’s not sure about the woman who works outside of the department, ‘a bit over-formal and serious looking’, but she assumes she’ll have little to do with her if successful. Unclasping and reclasping her hands she smiles at Geoff and responds to his most recent, rather banal, question.