Story 10 – Hold On
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“Ping Ping”, the alarm rang signaling the break of dawn. Dylan opened his eyes to the bright light from the sun filling his room and causing the mirror to reflect its rays towards the ceiling. It was six o’clock and surprisingly the sun shone like it was noon. “Today has to go right”, he said to himself. He walked to the bathtub and took a refreshing shower, silently going over what he was going to say later that day. This wasn’t the first job interview he had gone for but he certainly hoped it was going to be the last.
Dylan had completed the university of Warwickshire with a degree in business administration. However, he still didn’t have a job and the fact that he still depended on his parents was quite bothersome. His age mates, peers, and friends had all moved to a residence of their own and were engaging to the hustle and struggle of going to work every day except weekends of course but here he was, still living in his father’s house and in the same room he lived in since he was old enough to start sleeping alone in a room. That alone was embarrassing and although he pretended he wasn’t the least bit bothered and tried to remain optimistic, everyone has seen through his thick wall of positivism. As he knotted his tie, his fingers trembled.
One would think if this was the umpteenth time he was going for a job interview, he should be immune to the anxiety but it wasn’t the case. He didn’t even know what to expect, if he had to have high hopes or if he needed to just stay neutral hoping for the best but waiting for the worst. Meanwhile, his mother stood at the door watching her son helplessly. Like every parent, she wished there was something she could do or anything she could say. She had run out of words of encouragement.
What do you tell a twenty-four-year-old graduate who has been searching for a job for about a year and a half? Her poor son was devastated. She feebly walked to him, gave a weak smile, knotted the tie, and gave a gentle tap on the shoulder. Dylan Johnson couldn’t hold it in any longer. He fell at his mother’s feet and began crying. “Mom what if it ends up like the rest. It is going to end up that way. I have been to 19 job interviews. This is the twentieth! I can’t do this! Say something! Don’t just stare at me. I’m a failure, aren’t I? I passed with a first-class degree, I speak both French and English and I’m the best candidate for the job. I have gone over everything on my CV to make sure there are no loopholes.
What now?!” “Wipe your face and prepare. You’ll be late”, was all she could say. He left home in his well-ironed turquoise shirt with black tie, trousers, belt, shoe, and briefcase. And he remembered to carry along his depression, anxiety, devastation and of course his stress. At the office of High Gate Hotel and Resort, he met people who looked more qualified and prepared for the job. To him, they were just another batch of graduates joining the unemployed crew. Soon, he was called in and he professionally replied all the questions he had heard time and time again. He lost his composure when he was asked why he deserved the job amongst all the other eligible candidates he saw outside.
He had answered this question and each time he said: “because I think I am the most qualified or because I graduated with one of the best results nationally.” This time, he thought carefully about why he needed the job and replied passionately saying “I want this job not because I think I’m better than all the others out there or because that’s the next thing to check off my list. Since I’m done schooling, the most logical thing was to start working, get married, and wait to die but because I need it to make my parents proud. I need them to know that my life of schooling amounted to something and because I’m tired of attending job interviews. I have been to 19 already. I need this job to prove to myself, to you and the world that I can do my best to ensure the smooth running of the company and I will make sure I put in my best.”
At this point, he had gotten teary and by seeing the look on the faces of the interviewers, he concluded that he had lost the job. He screwed it all up. He was here to show what made him qualified for the job and here he was giving an emotional speech and as usual, they said: “we will get back to you Mr. Dylan Johnson.” He stood up looking hopeless and decided that this was the last of it. He was done searching. “…excuse me Mr. Johnson did you hear what we said?” he was lost in his little world and was walking out of the room when he was called again.
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To his utmost dismay, he was told the position had been given to him. Dylan was suddenly puzzled. “pardon?” he inquired. “Mr Johnson, you have been given the position. We believe you are more qualified. We were looking for someone ready to put their all in the job, not someone fresh out of school who thinks life is a bed of roses. Can you start next Monday?”
He could do nothing but nod and look on helplessly as tears rolled down his cheeks. His walk home was normal but this time, he was emotionless. Dried tears had stained his cheeks, his shoe looked dusty, his mouth was slightly opened, eyes wide opened, his curly hair looked a mess and there were visible dark circles under his eyes. He had almost been knocked down by a car thrice – one on his way to the interview and the other two on his return from it. To him, it was a strange world.
His mother stood at the door waiting and once she saw the look on his face she concluded it had gone wrong again. She woke him from his deep thought with a tap and all he said in return was, “I got the job mom…”
Lesson Learned
This story teaches us to fiercely face every trial or obstacle. the persona from the story failed to get the job every time he tried because something was missing. He did not have a tangible reason why he wanted the job and like everyone else, he felt getting a job was automatically the next thing to do.
However, after being turned down several and being on the verge of losing all hope, he realized what was missing and found his purpose. The lesson here has a purpose and a reason and not easily give up when things do not work out. When you think you have reached a standstill, sit back and reflect over everything and find loopholes that might be causing your stagnation.
About The Writer
Mercy Wendy Adoboe is an 18-year-old girl from Ghana. I like to read and listen to music. I attend Datus International College and will be writing my A levels this year. She is reachable on Facebook or Instagram.