My car’s engine rumbled quietly as I organized my thoughts in the parking lot outside the tall security company building. I checked the time on my phone again. It read 9:42. I had arrived about ten minutes ago and by some miracle had only passed by the building once before finding it, giving me almost thirty minutes before my interview started. Knowing myself well enough, I had allowed time to get thoroughly lost and still arrive on time, but I didn’t want to walk in too early and seem nervous.

I figured that arriving ten minutes before my interview time would be perfect, so I gathered my things together, double checking that I had everything that I might need with me. Notebook, pen, writing samples with varied lengths and subjects, two copies of my resume, note card with interview notes copied down. In addition to the items that were normally in my purse, I couldn’t imagine anything else that an interview would call for. I made my way out of my car, following my normal car-exiting-routine, and walked into the building following the directions that had been sent the evening prior.

Everything seemed very high-tech and secure which would make sense for a high-profile security company. I had to walk through some sort of detector that was manned by two security guards before reaching the reception desk. I was greeted by a receptionist who asked me for my name, reason for visiting, and ID. The directions I had received notified me that I would need to bring my ID to enter but I hadn’t expected the guards and detectors.

“Thank you, here’s your ID back. If you would walk with me over to the gate I will pass you through and you can take the elevator up. I informed Jenny that you’ve arrived.”

The marketing department was on the 6th floor as the email and elevator placard indicated. As the elevator rose up through the building, my stomach seemed to mimic it. As the digital sign flipped from 5 to 6 I took in a long deep breath in and released out as the elevator chimed and the doors slid open. This floor, like the lobby, was immaculate and high-tech looking with lots of shiny and impeccably clean looking surfaces. There was what appeared to be a reception desk with a young girl sitting behind and a woman leaning on the other side. Her hair was cut in a polished chin-length bob and she was dressed in a smart tweed skirt and blazer combo with suede heels in a muted orange hue. At my entrance she greeted me

“You must be Sonja! I’m Jenny. It’s nice to meet you.” She reached out to shake my hand which I met halfway.

“It’s nice to meet you as well.” I greeted her in return with a smile that I hoped didn’t reveal how nervous I was.

“Please follow me.” She said, returning my smile as she turned and began walking. I trailed behind her, following the sharp clacks of her heels against the marbled tiles. I had opted for some black high-waisted wide-legged slacks, a silk green button down top, and some pointed-toed black leather flats. I leaned toward dressing more conservatively since I didn’t know what the office culture would be like here, and finished my look by applying full but natural makeup and tying my long hair up into a braided ponytail.

There was a lot of thought and time put into every aspect of my ensemble, cutting my sleeping hours a bit short-- although I was too nervous to sleep very much anyway. Wearing heels might make me look intimidating as I was already on the tall side. All of my skirts looked a bit odd with any of my flat shoes and I figured there weren’t too many places left that expected women to wear skirts so I thought pants would be best. My hair might look a bit childish with how long it was so I thought having it up looked more polished. Green was a flattering color against my skin and the shirt was long-sleeved and not low cut, so it would be flattering but not revealing. Too much makeup would be distracting while not enough might make it seem like I didn’t care. It was exhausting being a woman in this world, or was it just me that went through all of this for an interview?

We arrived at what appeared to be a small meeting room with a glass wall that faced out towards the hallway, a mahogany table in the middle, six chairs surrounding it, and a blank white board on one wall. 

“Please sit wherever you like and make yourself comfortable. Can I get anything for you before we start? A glass of water or some coffee?”

“No thank you, I’m fine.” I replied. Knowing me, I would spill something on myself so I thought it best to refuse.

“Okay, well then let’s get started! So as you already know, this is the marketing department and I am the executive assistant to the Director of Marketing here. Usually someone from the PR department would be doing your interview, but I hope you don’t mind interviewing with me today instead.”

“No, of course not! I understand how things can come up, it’s no problem at all. Thank you for the opportunity.” If I was honest, it actually was quite confusing how the interview was being conducted but who was I to comment?

“Excellent, well I’d like to start by asking you to tell me a bit about yourself. Obviously I know some details through your resume, but if y