''Sitting in the waiting room all you can hear is the clicking of the receptionist's fingers on the keyboard, the ticking of the clock and your own heartbeat well above what could be considered healthy. Despite only being in the company of the busy receptionist, who couldn't care less about you, you feel as though hundreds of eyes are staring you down. Today's the day that you meet with Avatech's Senior Technical Recruiter. This interview will decide whether you will have to move away or whether youll be able to stay in the city with your 4 roomates.''
//They know. I barely even know what this job is much less than what they will be looking for. I am actually done for. I know "C's get Degrees" but this really come back and bit me in the ass. What if...//
[["Mr. Wilkins?"]]
(set: $french to 0)
(set: $spanish to 0)
(set: $failure to 0)
(set: $success to 0)''A tall middle aged woman in a dark navy pinstripe suit towers by the doorway with a stern look on her face. She ajusts her glasses and makes direct eye contact at you. You feel as though you could die on the spot.''
[[Yes Ma'am?]]
[[Present.]]
''Her expression remains stern as she approaches with a steady stride. She extends her arm to shake youe hand.''
//Professionalism is good right? or does she just think I'm trying to suck up as much as i can.... Well too late [[now]]// ''The woman lets out a small chuckle and shakes her head before coming over to shake your hand''
//Humor is good right? or does she just think I'm still a kid in class.... Well too late [[now]]//
(set: $success += 1)
"Hello, my name is Carolina Ramirez and I will be your interviewer today. Please follow me."
''She promptly turns around and begins leading you though the maze of hallways and offices. You pass though the main room with rows of programmers and designers hard at work while the execs have thier afternoon meeting on the other side of a glass wall. At the end of a wide hall, she opens the door to a [[office]] with her name plaque neatly positioned on the desk.''
''The room is pristine, with a big dark wood desk at the center adorned with a few pictures of her family. The [[bookshelf]] behind her is stocked up with a plethora of topics and the [[window]] acts as the main light source for despite the lights being on.''
" Please, have a seat Mr. Wilkins" ''She says as she pulls a manilla folder from her desk drawer before sitting down.''
''You notice //Catcher in the rye// amongst her repertoire of books''
//Fuck, what was that book about//
''You rack your brain for the book that you had half skimmed back in sophomore year of high school. Surely you can remeber some [[stupid book]] form 6 years ago right?''
''The large window opens up to a landscape of downtown, from the fourth story the area seems so peaceful. The park in the distance is an oasis of green in the desert of concrete and buildings.''
//The area used to be lush with greenery but recent [[housing developments]] have added to the minimizing of wooded areas.//
I see that you are quite well read Mrs. Ramirez. Personally I'm quite fond of [[Catcher in the Rye]] myself. The themes of childhood innocence where a fresh take.
''Your english teacher, Mrs. Chang, would be so proud of you.''''She lets out a quick laugh''
"Truth be told I never really liked that book, I thought it was a bit wordly and it lacked a driven plot that I like in novels. The only reason I have it is because my oldest son forgot it here after school one day."
"lets [[begin]]."
(set: $humor += 1)
You have a nice view up here, [[shame]] a lot of nature has been cut down.
"Yes, well housing is necessary Mr. Wilkins but I agree. This view used to be a lot more picturesque.' ''She says with a sigh and a weak smile.''
"But we have bigger fish to fry Mr. Wilkins. Lets [[begin]]."
(set: $community += 1)''She ones up the folder and takes out a pen.''
"So tell me a bit about yourself and why you believe you are the ideal candidate for our Software Systems Analyst position."
//damn, we're just jumping into it then. What had I read in that wikipedia article? something about [[organization]] and [[requirements]]?////Time for some Grade A bullshit//
Through my studies I have come to realize that the most effective way to advance a software system is to keep it organized and streamlined. Messy systems will only result in future headaches when no one understands what is going on. I know my expertise can help this company thrive moving into the [[future]].
//Time for some Grade A bullshit//
"Through my studies I have come to realize that the most effective way to advance a software system is to keep it up to date with standards and requirements for security. Outdated systems will only result in future headaches when the safety of customers is compromised. I know my expertise can help this company [[thrive]] moving into the future."
''She quickly writes some notes in the pages of the folder before looking back up to say:''
"You mentioned your expertise, from reading your file I didn't know you were very well acquainted with this subject. Afterall you barely graduated college. May I ask what experience you have with programming and system management?"
//Fuck.//
//I barely passed my [[classes]]... maybe I should talk about my [[experience]] some more.//
Yes, of course. I have taken multiple programming classes. So I am familiar with python, java, and C#.
//That might be a stretch, I got a C in [[python]].//Despite not having a job in cyber security, I have tinkering with applications and [[Yeah]]...My resume should have a list of relevant classes I have taken. As far as technical experience, I had always found software analysis fascinating.
//..ok I just found out about this job, saw I was almost qualified so I decided to try but she doesn't know that.//
Previously I have helped many students with their coding work so I am able learn other peoples style [[quickly]].
(set: $success += 1)''She nods and scribbles some more down on the paper, she then switches to the paper underneath.''
"Wonderful Mr. Wilkins. Now then our company does have an international branch as most tech companies do these days. On your resumé I noticed that you can speak both Spanish and French. Do you mind if I [[test]] it a bit?"
//oh no, she definetly knows I haven't taken a language class in three years.//
Of course not a problem at all!
Pouvez-vous me dire depuis combien d’années vous étudiez la langue française, M. Wilkins?
[[oui, Madame]]
[[deux oeufs, Madame]]
[[trois ans, Madame]]Previously I have helped many students with their coding work so I am able learn other peoples style [[quickly]]...
//Wow that could have gone a lot better...//
(set: $failure += 1) ''She quickly writes some notes in the pages of the folder and nobs''
"I have to agree, our costomers come first. Now then tell me about what kind of standards are you talking about that we must [[uphold]] for our [[costomers]]?Definitely the kind that allows the customers to rest assured that they are in the right hands. Its all for [[better]] service after all.
I would have to reccomend ISO/IEC 27001 standards, which you must know is an information security management [[system]].''She scribles a quick note in her paperwork and looks back up at you''
//what could she have written....?//
"Lets, [[go]] on to spanish shall we?
(set: $french -= 1)
(set: $failure += 1)''She scribles a quick note in her paperwork and looks back up at you''
//what could she have written....?//
"Lets, [[go]] on to spanish shall we?"
(set: $french -= 1)
(set: $failure += 1)"Pensez-vous pouvoir parler cette langue tout en discutant de votre travail pertinent?"
Oui, je crois que je peux. Je connais quelques vocab liés au travail, mais je vais certainement le [[rafraîchir]] pour le travail.
Oui, je sais que je plue. Je sais flâner vocab por travail, mais je vais Dépaysant le [[rendre]] pour le travail.
(set: $french += 1)
(set: $success += 1)"Now then Spanish."
//Here we go [[again]]...//
''She grins and checks a box on her paperwork''
"Beautifully done Mr. Wilkins. Let's give spanish a try, shall we?"
//Well lets how far I can [[go]]//
(set: $french += 1)
(set: $success += 1)''She processes your responses for a second before writing a quick blurb on her paper.''
"lets give spanish a try, shall we?"
//How will this [[go]]?//"Ahora, sólo quiero comprobar rápidamente sus habilidades en español. ¿Puede decirme su especialidad?"
Claro, es [[programmacion]].
Por supuesto, es [[ingeniería]].
ok, es [[física]]."Muy Bien. Hasta que nivel de español tomaste?"
Fijese, que no me gusta el [[tomate]].
Pues, hasta el [[tercero]].
(set: $spanish += 1)
(set: $success += 1)''She gives you a quizical look''
"¿Pero en tu resume dice programmacion?"
Perdón, me embarazada, eso si que quero [[decir]]
(set: $spanish -= 1)
(set: $failure += 1)''She gives you a quizical look''
"¿Pero en tu resume dice programmacion?"
Perdón, me equivoqué, eso es que quero [[decir]]
(set: $spanish -= 1)
(set: $failure += 1)
''She lets a quick grimace escape at the multitude of mistakes you made in that attempt at a recovery''
//Even you could tell you fucked that part [[up]]...//''She lets a quick grimace escape at your response and writes something on her paper''
//Yeah I fucked that [[up]]//
"Now then Mr. Wilkins. Let's practice some metacognition, shall we?"
[[biggest strength]]''She smiles''
"Your accent will need some work, but I think you will be... understandable"
//Hey thats better than nothing! Maybe you will be moving [[up]] in the world//
(set: $spanish += 1)
(set: $success += 1)''Three days later a [[letter]] arrives at your aparment from Avatech''
(if: $failure > 5 and $spanish < 1 and $french < 1)[
''Dear Mr. Wilkens,
I regret to inform you that we are unable to find a position for you at Avatech at this time. We hope that you will find success in future endeavors, and if I may be so bold, I would recommend you brush up on the skills you detail on your resume.
We thank you for taking the time to see us and hope that you will apply for another position elsewhere in the future that is better suited to your true abilities, or lack there of.
Best,
Carolina Ramirez''
](else-if: $failure > 5 and $spanish < 1 and $french < 1)[
''Dear Mr. Wilkens,
I regret to inform you that we are unable to find a position for you at Avatech at this time. We hope that you will find success in future endeavors, and if I may be so bold, I would recommend you brush up on the skills you detail on your resume.
We thank you for taking the time to see us and hope that you will apply for another position in the future that is better suited to your true abilities.
Best,
Carolina Ramirez''
](else-if: $success > 8)[
barely
] (else:)[
''Dear Mr. Wilkens,
We are overjoyed to offer you a full-time position here at Avatech as a Senior Software Analyst.
If you decide to accept our offer, the anticipated start date will be June 8th, with a 40 hour work week. Our offices are open Monday through Friday but employees have the option to work remotely up to 3 days a week. To accept this offer, please contact me by May 20th, 2018 and I will get you started with the rest of the onboarding process.
If you have any questions, please contact me directly via email.
Best,
Carolina Ramirez''
]
''She looks rather suprised at your answer''
"And how soon do you think these standards would have to be implemented if we don't have them?"
Oh as [[quickly]] as possible if you don't have them.
(set: $success += 2)"Yes, as I said our costomers are top priority."
//Was that what was she was looking for?//
''You heart is beating [[quickly]]''
(set: $failure += 2)//Oh a tough question considering I don't know too much.//
[[creativity]]
[[dedication]]
[[flexibility]]It has to be my creativity. I love to design and think outside the box.
''She [[nods]] as she takes a minute to write your answers down''
(set: $failure += 1)It has to be my dedication. No matter how tough a situation may be I am still willing to weather it out and see it through 100%.
//Although I wish I could run from this interview//
''She [[nods]] as she takes a minute to write your answers down''
(set: $success += 2)It has to be my flexablitiy. Life and work are always full f challanages that change in the blink of an eye. Despite all that, I can stay level headed and work with what I've been given while still ending with good results. ''She [[nods]] as she takes a minute to write your answers down''
(set: $success += 1)"Last question: what is your biggest [[weakness]]?"//The home stretch! How can I leave this interview as a memerable canidate?//
//Maybe I can put a spin on my [[nerves]]//
//or how I [[underestimate]] myself//
//or how I'm too much of a [[perfectionist]]//Personally, I tend to become nervous when speaking to groups, especially when giving a presentation. That said I have been trying to become more comfortable through a theatre group I've recently joined.
//Finally this can all [[end]]... Good or bad, atleast you put in the effort//
(set: $success += 2)Personally, I tend to underestimate my own abilities. I can keep quiet even if I'm right because I second guess myself. That said I have been trying to assert myself more when I think I know the answer. Hopefully all those thursday night trivia nights will allow the skilll to transfer.
''She chuckles softly''
//Finally this can all [[end]]... Good or bad, atleast you put in the effort//
(set: $success += 1)"Alright, Mr. Wilkins. Thank you for your time. You will hear from us within three business days. By the way, you certainly were an interesting canidate."
She reaches over the deak and shakes you hand before showing you back to the waiting room. You can't help but wonder what the [[results]] may be....Personally, I tend to be too much of a perfectionist. My work just has to be perfect otherwise I can't live with it. So you can rest assured that I'll be giving Avatech my best work.
//Finally this can all [[end]]... Good or bad, atleast you put in the effort//
(set: $failure += 1)