After completing my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program, the next item on my list was to find a job. "Even if the pay isn't great," I thought, "as long as it can cover my bills, I would be okay with it." There was no room for complaints.
While browsing through my social media, I came across a message from a friend.
"What could this be?" I muttered to myself as I opened the message.
It turned out to be a flyer with the caption "We are hiring." That immediately caught my attention, and after spending some time reviewing the details, I decided to apply for the job. It was something I believed I could do, even without prior experience.
"I just finished applying for the role," I replied to my friend.
I waited for a supportive response, but instead, she sent a random funny emoji that seemed out of context. I chose to let it slide.
Every day, without fail, I checked my email. Even while sleeping, something would wake me up, urging me to "check your mail." I always complied.
As days turned into weeks, I kept checking my inbox until one fateful day, my phone rang.
"Hello. My name is Joy Amos, and I'm calling from Stockgap Limited. Am I speaking to Miss Tarila Young?" the caller asked.
"Yes, ma," I replied in the softest tone I could muster.
"You have been scheduled for an interview tomorrow. Will you be available?" she asked.
"I would be available, ma," I responded, excitement bubbling in my voice.
Immediately, I turned to Google and searched for tips on how to prepare for an interview, as this was my first official one, and I wanted it to go perfectly. That night, I immersed myself in studying until midnight and finally decided to get some rest to look fresh for the interview the next day.
The day arrived faster than expected. I woke up feeling bright and full of energy, saying to myself, "It's time to shine, baby!" After my shower, I prepared a light breakfast since I wasn’t sure how long I would be at the interview. I made some coffee, but as I held the cup, my hands shook, and suddenly, the coffee slipped from my grasp and shattered on the floor.
I quickly grabbed a brush to sweep up the broken glass and tossed it in the bin. After losing my appetite for coffee, I opted for bread and butter. Once I finished breakfast, it was time to iron my clothes and make sure I looked presentable.
I plugged in the iron and began to press my outfit, but I suddenly remembered that I hadn't informed the electricity supply company about my interview. Before I knew it, the power went out. I stood there with my hands on my hips, trying to think of what to do next.
"What am I going to wear now?" I muttered to myself, feeling lost.
As I considered alternative outfits, I stumbled upon a dress I hadn’t worn since I bought it. The best part was that it didn’t need ironing, so I quickly put it on along with a pair of heels. I applied some makeup to ensure I didn’t look like I’d just had a rough morning.
Finally ready to leave the house, I stood at the doorstep, contemplating if I had forgotten anything. As seconds turned into minutes, I realized I had everything I needed in my bag. I walked slowly to find a cab, and luckily, I found a vehicle to take me to my destination. However, on our way, the driver ran out of petrol and had to stop at a petrol station to refuel. Sitting there, I felt restless, replaying the events of the morning in my mind.
After a few minutes, we arrived at the interview venue. I was greeted by the receptionist, who offered me a seat to wait for the interviewers. While sitting, I let my eyes wander and observed my surroundings. When the interviewers arrived, I was called in first.
As I entered the boardroom, I felt my legs shaking, and my heart began to race faster than usual. There were three people seated with laptops facing me. "Now this is serious," I thought to myself.
"Please have a seat," the only woman among them said.
I sat down, and the questions began to flow. Everything was going smoothly until one of the interviewers asked, "Why should we employ you?" This was the first time I had heard this question, and all eyes were on me as I scrambled to formulate a response.
"Because I need to pay some bills," was my inappropriate internal response.
"Don't worry, we will get back to you," the interviewers said.
I thanked them, knowing I had messed up, and left feeling disappointed. I called my friend and shared everything that had happened. She reassured me to be patient and to have faith in myself, so I decided to follow her advice.
Before heading to bed, I checked my email again, and to my surprise, I received a message from the company stating that I had been accepted to participate in their trainee program. I screamed and jumped out of bed.
"Maybe today isn’t so bad after all," I said with newfound excitement.
Thanks for reading 🧡