Page 34 of Broken Hearts
And she’s good. Within two minutes, she’s cut through the awkwardness and put me at ease. She tells me all about the company, then the job. It’s an entry-level position that creates sales materials for the healthcare software the company sells. The company is big, with two locations, which they call campuses. And each campus has amenities like a cafeteria, game room, meditation space, and a gym that rivals the one here at Valley.
I knew a lot of these facts already. My dad has worked at Dalton for twenty-five years. In fact, the position I’m interviewing for is one he held early on in his career. He worked his way up to being an executive in the customer education department, where he works now, but over the years, he’s held a lot of different jobs with Dalton, so at least some of what Kelsie tells me makes sense.
“Do you have any questions for me about the campus or the position?”
“No, I don’t think so,” I say. “I’ve been to both locations with my dad so I’m familiar with where they are and everything.”
She smiles big again. I wonder if they teach that in HR classes. I try to mimic her. I’m not positive I want this job, but I know that I need to act like I do.
“Your dad is the best. Everyone loves him around here.” Another huge smile. “Well, should we talk about next steps?”
“Umm, sure.”
“I’m going to email over information packets with all the details I told you on the phone. Look over everything, and you can just email me back if you have questions. The healthcare benefits are incredible. I think you’ll be really pleased with that. I know preexisting conditions can be difficult.”
I blink a few times, trying to think what to say. Kelsie doesn’t pick up on my hesitation, and I manage to compose myself.
“Thank you. I will look everything over.”
“If you’d like to talk to one of our sales managers, I can set that up, but I’ve already been given the go-ahead to extend an offer to you, so I will also be emailing that over.”
“Wow. Really?”
She nods enthusiastically. Big grin. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” I guess?
“It was really wonderful to meet you, Sienna. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions at all, and congratulations again.”
We say our goodbyes, and Kelsie ends the meeting. With awhat the heck just happenedsigh, I sit back in the chair. I just got a job.
I pack up and head back to the dorm.
“Hey,” Josie calls from her desk without looking up. “How was the interview?”
Her hair is piled up on her head with two pencils sticking out of it. Josie is an art major, and I know how deep she is in the creative zone by the number of colored pencils holding up her hair. Right now we’re at a point she can still communicate. Four or more, and there’s no talking to her. She might speak, but she won’t remember it later.
“Good. I got the job.”
She swivels in her chair. “Oh my gosh, Sienna. Congratulations!”
“Thanks.”
She gets up to hug me. “Or not? You don’t look very excited.”
“I’m stunned. They just gave me the job. I thought I’d have to answer questions about my strengths and weaknesses, tell them all the really amazing attributes I have that make me the perfect candidate.”
She snorts. “You were just grumbling about those questions last night.”
“I know, but I spent two hours preparing. What a waste.”
“What is your greatest strength, Sienna Hale?” she asks, crossing her arms over her chest.
“I am disciplined and focused, and action-oriented,” I say, just as I rehearsed.
“That’s three, wow.”
“Right? And I can provide examples for all, mostly around skating.”
