"I'm exhausted," Claire exclaimed as she slumped onto the couch. It's been another long day spent job-hunting and the result today has been no different from the previous days. It was futile, and she was becoming increasingly frustrated with each passing day. Each rejection seemingly stings more than the previous one.
She hadn't thought securing a job would turn out to be such an uphill task. She had graduated with a degree in Business Administration and had done reasonably well in school, so it hadn't crossed her mind that finding a good job would be so difficult.
She was becoming increasingly desperate too, as she had mounting student debt to settle and, even more pressing, her mother's medical bills to offset. Her mother had been diagnosed with colon cancer and the cost of treatment was very high. Her father had abandoned them when she was little and there was little to no help from any other source. She felt like she was suffocating and she needed a good job to help with all the bills.
"Any luck today," asked Penny, Claire's best friend from school whom she shared an apartment with. "Same old story," Claire said dejectedly. "Don't worry girl, keep trying. I'm sure you'll get lucky soon" Penny said, trying to encourage her friend who looked sullen. "Here, I prepared this for you, you must be famished," Penny said as she handed Claire a plate of pancakes. Claire dug into them. "They taste perfect, thank you."
Claire had always enjoyed Penny's Pancakes, she always says they are the best she's tasted and she always makes sure to tell Penny everything. She loved her friend and was grateful to the universe for making their paths cross. Penny was one of the reasons she could endure these trying times. She helped her with some of the bills, was always a source of laughter and encouragement, and almost always knew the right things to say to her at every moment. They've had their fair share of quibbles, but it was never anything serious. Penny was a sweetheart and rarely ever got angry for too long. It was as if her sweet personality forbade it.
"How about I put in a word for you at the Hotel? Some hotel attendants were let go, and they intend on conducting an interview soon for new ones. I know it's not your choice of job, but you can start with that while you seek more lucrative options." Claire was sceptical. She hadn't envisioned herself taking up jobs such as a Hotel attendant, but she was aware she was running out of options and she needed something to do urgently. "I'll give it some thought," Claire responded unenthusiastically.
It took some convincing from Penny, but Claire eventually agreed to try out for the Hotel attendant spot. She woke up pretty early this morning by 6am, did some meditation; a practice she had picked up about a year ago after she stumbled across a related video on the Internet. She finds it helps calm her mind and keeps her focused for the day. She proceeded to write in her journal, brushed her teeth and had her bath.
She combed through her wardrobe contemplating the appropriate dress to wear, she had decided she didn't want to wear anything to formal, she needed something moderate, not too casual as to not appear unserious, but also not too coperate. She didn't want to be overdressed for a job she was half-hearted about, she opted for a gray dress that fitted her perfectly and accentuated her curvy figure. The interview was scheduled for 8am, but Claire was ready by 7am. She always liked being punctual. The hotel was a 30-minute ride away from the house, and she hoped to board a cab to get there.
"Penny, are you ready?" Claire called out, "Just a second, I'll be with you soon. " Claire had decided to go along with Penny to her workplace. "Wow! Girl, you look stunning." Penny exclaimed upon seeing Claire. "This was the most suitable dress I could find. Hope it's okay for the interview?" Claire said, "Of course, it's more than okay. You look great, and I think you'd do great." Penny said reassuringly. "Okay then, let's be on our way."
The Gordons' Hotel was not just massive, it had a very appealing interior. It was one of the most prominent hotels in the city with a reputation for housing, socialites and elites. Claire had regularly seen the Hotel from the outside whenever she passed by in a cab, but she had never been inside. She was now aware of why it easily outshined the other hotels in the city.
She couldn't help but be amazed and stunned, and it was evident in her facial expression. "Wow! I never realized the hotel was this beautiful " Claire said. "Yes, it sure is, you get used to it when you see it almost every day though, " replied Penny, who seemed unfazed by it all. They took the elevator to the topmost floor where the Human Resource office was located, and the interview was to be conducted. "Best of luck girl", Penny said to her friend as she embraced her before heading to her work post.
Claire noticed some women, who she assumed were other applicants seated outside the office. "Good morning " She greeted the lady seated just next to her. She was a middle-aged woman with blonde hair and brown eyes, she wore a white, neatly ironed shirt with a black skirt that just flowed past her knees. "Good morning to you," the woman responded almost enthusiastically, with a smile. "Are you also here for the interview ?" She asked, "Yes, I am" Claire responded returning the smile. Five other women arrived just before the start of the interview, which began at exactly 8am.
"Next". A high-pitched feminine voice called out from the office, it was Claire's turn for the interview, and she proceeded to enter the Office. She didn't feel any nerves or jitters, and she chalked it up to her lack of interest in the job, or perhaps she had gotten better at composing herself after attending numerous interviews.
"Good morning" Claire greeted as she entered the office, "Good morning, please have your seat," the lady said as she motioned toward a chair positioned just opposite her. Claire took a cursory glance around the office before focusing her gaze on the lady conducting the interview. She was the Human Resource manager, charged with recruitment at the Hotel. She was a poised woman in her mid-thirties with a commanding yet affable presence, she was dressed in a tailored navy blue blazer over a crisp white blouse, paired with slim-fitting gray slacks that highlight her lean, athletic build.
"My name is Jessica, the HR manager of Gordons' Hotel," she said as she glanced through Claire's resume "For the sake of formality, please introduce yourself." Just as Claire was about to speak, the office's door opened.