The Office

I'm still trying to get used to my new office.  I'm not sure I fit in.  Well, I know I don't fit in.  I'm not used to the company culture yet.  That is what they call it, right, company culture?

At SAT TV, no one cared about anyone else so you had to care for yourself because no one else would.  I'm still used to that.  Even though I prefer it when people are nice to me, I'm still jaded and wondering why they're talking to me.

I wandered down today to see the customer service reps.  They seem like they are in such a better place than where I was when I was doing customer service.  They didn't seem at all overworked or stressed or taken advantage of.

To one of them I said, "It's tough having to work evenings and holidays."

She looked at me as if I were crazy.  Apparently in this company they don't work either evenings or holidays.  Well, they must think that stuff's only for third world countries or something.  They have no idea how good they have it.

Another one asked me what I was doing here if I was going to school as if school pays my bills.  She wasn't being rude about it, more like ignorant. 

I don't know what I'm going to do.  I suppose I should be happy I have a job and be quiet about it.  After all, I'm not really here to make friends, although it would be nice.

And the Boss Says

I walked into Burt's office and showed him the letter.  I thought that was the best way to do it.  That way he wouldn't think I made up the prize just to get a vacation.

He read the letter a couple of times and didn't say anything.

"If you need to say no, I understand.  I'm expecting it.  I can just call them and they can give the prize to someone else."

"Have you ever won anything before?"

I shook my head.  "No, I've never even won a scratch off lottery ticket."

I had actually forgot I submitted my name for the drawing until the letter came.  Then I remembered signing up for it when I was out shopping for Jessica's baby shower.  I'd never been on a real vacation either.

Burt read it one more time.  "I'll tell you what.  Since you would not be asking for time off were it not for winning this prize, I'll let you take the time off.  However, you'll have to take it during the slow time of year."

"When's that?"

"January."

Alaska in January?  I shivered just thinking about it, but if that was my only option, I'd take it.

"Okay," I said, "we have a deal."

Executive Assistant

First day of work at my new job.  I dressed up a bit, considering it was my first day and I'm an executive assistant now. 

Like at SAT TV, my desk is located near the boss, but unlike there I have my own little office and it sits off to the side of Burt's so my back is facing a wall not his office door.  I have privacy because no one comes that way unless they are going into Burt's office.

The former assistant is this little old lady.  She finally decided to give up working to spend time with her grandchildren.  For the next couple of weeks she'll be training me.  That's a lot better training than I got at my last job.  There, Dorothy sat with me for three hours, maybe less, and then I was on my own. 

All the people I met today were helpful and very nice.  I hope it wasn't all just an act.  I want to look forward to working here.

The Interview

It's been a long time since I've had an interview.  I'd been at SAT TV for a long time, too long, but nevertheless staying there meant I didn't have to have an interview anywhere else.

I was so nervous meeting with Burt.  I had practiced interview questions with Bill but there was always that possibility that I would get tongue tied or forget.

Burt is an older guy, probably close to retirement or beyond.  He started his company in his garage and it got larger and larger.  Today, he has this corporate office and a distribution center.  His flower and vegetable bulbs and seeds are sold in stores and on the Internet.

He explained to me that he needed an assistant who could screen his calls, answer emails, type correspondence, organize his schedule, prepare reports and do miscellaneous other things.  He asked me a number of questions about my job skills and a bit about what I did previously.  Thankfully, he didn't ask me any weird questions like where I would see myself in five years or what animal did I feel describes me best.

He told me what the salary and benefits were and asked if they were acceptable.  Acceptable?  They were better than what I had been getting.  I concealed my excitement.

Finally, he stood and extended his hand.  "Welcome to Burt's Bulb and Seed."

Bill to the Rescue

When your boyfriend says he has some news for you that you can use, it's best to listen.  Bill came over straight from work, all excited.  I was on pins and needles waiting to hear the news.  Maybe he got a promotion.

But it wasn't that at all.

"There's a place in our building that's hiring.  Do you remember Burt's Bulb and Seed LLC?  They have their corporate office on the top floor."

I inhaled sharply.  "Well, not really.  I didn't know all the companies in the building."

"Well, I know Burt because I did some freelance work for him a while back.  He owes me a favor, so I got you an interview."

"Really?  What's the job for?"

I had a feeling of nervousness overcome me.  I didn't really want to go back to working customer service. 

"It's nothing fancy  --  it's an executive assistant -- but it would be enough to pay the bills until you finish school and get a job somewhere else."

An executive assistant.  Hum.  I stood a little straighter.  A job with some responsibility to it.  But would I be able to handle it?

"When is the interview?"

"A week from tomorrow.  I'll help you get prepared so you're not too nervous."