Tuesday Jan 31st. 2:30pm.Job Interview: Newberry,Jr High
So I have a bad habit of packing too many things into one day, which often makes me late. This is not the image I wanted to project on this day.This day I had to make sure I was on time and ready to go! This was the door into a classroom, a new chapter in my teaching career, my chance at a full time contract and to get out of the subbing world. Little did I know about image I was going to end up projecting later on that afternoon.
Of course I made a special effort to dress up for the interview. I was looking FINE (but professional) in my ocean grey blue gypsy skirt, high heeled tan boots, and creamy colored cowl neck sweater. That sweater was so beautiful with 3/4 sleeves and rhine stoned detailing around the bottom of the sleeves and collar. I love that sweater. I made sure to tie my long hair up so I wouldn't reveal any nervousness I might feel during the interview if I felt tempted by fiddling with it, or hide behind it. Fashionable yet professional, look good - think good. Yep - I was looking good.
I arrived at the school's main office and they directed me down to the office of my my new potential principle. At that moment in my life he was the one who held the key to unlocking the door to my future. I had my game face on and I was ready to charm my way into the heart of this school.
Bob reminded me of Santa Clause. He was jolly and not for lack of a tummy. When he shook my hand he chuckled. I had an immediate inclination to call him "Uncle Bob" and felt quite connected to the idea that I had already had him convinced I was a good fit in the family of this school.
My first impression of the VP was quite different. She came across as very professional and matter of fact woman, completely opposite to Bob, very professional, an unstoppable, powerful bitch. In the back pocket of my brain I marveled at her majesty. I wanted to be just like her.
There was an obvious tension between the two. As the interview went along I could tell he loved me, I wasn't sure about her. I was glad I wore a skirt, this guy was going to hire me on my the naivety in my enthusiasm and my good looks alone. I showed that I was zealous and willing to give my youth, energy and life up for this job and he knew I was prime meat for slave labor. But I knew if I got the job, I'd have to work to get onto the VP's good side. Chances are if he loved me, she was not going to . . . initially.
At this point in the story, I was pretty sure I gave the impression that I wanted to, however as I was on my way out a transformation was happening in stop motion. It was like the clock had struck midnight and it wasn't even noon yet! I was Cinderella on the way home from the ball and it wasn't my glass slipper I was leaving behind. Here's what happened;
On my way out I made sure I stopped by the office and canoodled with the office staff. As I was leaving, flying confidently high as I walked down the long hallway, clickety clacking in my teacher boots, gloating my way towards the exit with my positive self talk, I heard the office assistant chasing after me and calling out to me:
"Miss Munroe, ..."
I turned around,
". . .I think you are loosing your stockings."
I looked down and my confidence quickly deflated along with the crinkled mass of hosery I was dragging behind me. How long had I been towing along my pantyhose like this? I could just imagine myself during the interview, like a plane with an advertisement banner waiving it's message loud and clear to the crowds below. Suddenly selling all my professional competencies to my potential supervisors seemed like a waste of time. I could just picture them nodding and smiling, him enthusiastically and in agreement, and her forcedly with teeth grinding, as I went through my glorified list of teaching accomplishments. What message did they really get about me? No wonder the VP didn't like me, a floozy advertising what I would do to get this job with my undergarments. No wonder he liked me, with my showing potential skills of dropping my silks for my boss. What did the secretary think I was doing during my interview to secure my job at the school?
Of course why would I be surprised this would happen to me? These types of things are regular occurrences in my life. Life lesson learned: Pull up my socks. The phrase will forever take on a whole new meaning for me from now on. Remind me to write that on a sticky note.
After my split second second of mortification and internal downward spiral of dialogue, I thanked the well-meaning secretary, shared a laugh and a wink with her, told her I'd see her next week then pulled up my stalkings discretely, tossed my head up towards the sunlight and carried on my way.
