"How old are you?" He asked.

"Seventeen," I answered.

I was 15 going onto 16. It didn't matter anyway, because all Chinese girls were small. I was skinny and small, with tiny hands and feet.

He acted like he believed me, and continued to look at my "made-up" resume, and asked me some questions. Then he leaned towards the back of his chair; adjusted his glasses, and looked seriously through them for a second.

Suddenly without any warnings, he asked, "So, how much do you know about our company?"

Duh! Nothing...I suppose. I thought.

I stared at him and smiled, and then told him truthfully, "Well, your company's name doesn't reflect much of what you do, so I don't really know much about it. I'm sorry."

He paused for a second and probably did not expect me to answer him the way I did. For a moment, I thought, Oh well...not much I can do now if he doesn't want to hire me.

Then suddenly, he began telling me about the company, as if I would be interested in what he had to say. I sat there listening and kept nodding my head just to make it look like I was interested in learning about the company.

I've got to at least show him I'm interested in the company. - I told myself. So I kept on nodding my head once in a while even though I wasn't really paying much attention anyway to what he was saying.

Then he paused, and my heart just skipped a beat.

Oh, no! What was it that he had been saying? Oh shit! I should have paid more attention! What if he wants to ask me another question again?

I sat there wracking my brain; frantically trying to remember what was it the last words that he had just spoken.

"So, do you have any questions for me so far?" he asked.

Huh? Questions for him? I didn't know I was supposed to ask him some questions! What am I supposed to be asking him about? I sat there, wracking my brain again, trying to come up with a question that I could ask him.

"No, thank you! Not at the moment anyway," I finally answered.

Oh well, I probably blew this interview anyway. Why would he want to hire someone who doesn't know anything about his company? And then would not even pay attention to him when he speaks.

He continued to read my "made-up" resume. I sat there in silence - for what seemed like an eternity! Then finally, he spoke again. "So when will you be available to begin work?"

I couldn't believe my ears! No tests or anything, just simply asked me when am I going to be available to begin working!!! I secretly congratulated myself!!!

I quickly put on my thinking cap, and then answered, "How about next Monday? I always like to start work on Mondays." I told him. He seemed satisfied.

"Okay then! Come around at 8:30 on Monday morning to our personnel office. You can fill out some paperwork first over there, and then begin your work at 9:00. Office hours here are from 9:00 to 5:00," He smiled.

"Okay, I will. Thank you so much!" I shook his hand and bid him goodbye. I've got a job!!! I secretly shouted with joy inside my head. I couldn't believe it! I've got a job!

I went back home to report the good news to my mom and dad. They were both very happy for me. Then they asked me, "So what's your salary? How much are you going to be paid each month?"

"I don't know," I answered, "He never told me anything about my salary."
Suddenly, I felt stupid again.

"May, you're supposed to know how much you're getting paid before you accept a job offer!" My mom squeezed her eyebrows together and I knew exactly what was going through her mind again. Yes, it was pretty dumb of me, wasn't it? - I should have asked that question when the employer asked me, "Do you have any questions for me so far?" - I should have asked him that very important question! Or should I?

Oh, May! Where was your mind today? I asked myself.

Later, I lay in my bed for the whole weekend long, just thinking about how dumb I was, and worrying if the employer was going to pay me less for not asking him that question about my salary. I lay in my bed, tossing and turning, could not fall asleep!

Monday came soon enough, and I sighed a sound of relief! It turned out well when I found out that I was being paid the same salary as one who had been working there for almost two years already; so I was quite satisfied. I told my mom, and she seemed rather happy about my salary too, so I must have been making good money then.

It didn't matter how much I made for I had to surrender my whole paycheck to my mom every time I get paid anyway. The family needed the funds and I knew I had to help out.

To be continued...

Copyright © Sandie May Joyce
March 21, 2010

My First Job [ Part 2 ] Of This Story

My First Job [ Part 3 ] of This Story

My First Job [ Part 4 ] of This Story

My First Job [ Part 5 ] of This Story

My First Job [ Part 6 ] of This Story