Seeking A Job

Ashwin was not really a genius or a bright spark. But what went in his favour was that he was a persevering kind of a fellow - never giving up. This made him finally reach the places where he aimed to get to (even if it took a little more time than his peers who were brighter). His folks were of course proud of him. Today was quite like the previous eighteen occasions, when he had appeared for various job interviews in different construction companies – but with no success. Here again he waited, in the reception lounge for his nineteenth job interview. He had been particularly careful today (as previously) in matching his tie, socks and belt with his fawn coloured premium cotton suit. But broadly speaking, it was not Ashwin’s habit to be overtly bothered for his appearance.  He believed as he had been taught in his childhood, that what was important, were not the clothes but the credentials of the man who wore them. And thus, over a period of time he had steadily built up his academic qualifications. Having completed his Bachelors in Architecture (B Arch) from a reputed college, and with decent grades, Ashwin desperately wanted to join the Drawing and Planning Section of any of the leading construction companies in the country.  While he had really prepared hard and tried his best on all previous occasions – there just didn’t seem enough vacancies or the right openings to absorb a man of his esteemed qualifications. In between call letters did come for him to join up as teacher, assistant to a surveyor, a lower division bank clerk, agent in the life insurance sector, as a booking officer in the Railways Parcel Office and others – but Ashwin was determined to only take up a planning and designing assignment as per his choice and nothing less. He was thus ‘in waiting’ for the right opening and disliked being considered jobless; so what if he was waiting for the last four years.

Besides him, there were about forty more aspirants for the same post; and the interviews had been going on for the last three days. Since none of the others seemed interested in talking, Ashwin patiently waited his turn, and to bide away the time - scanned the posters which were on the lounge walls viz. on various ongoing projects of the construction company in different cities, on different grades of cement, benefits of anti-termite treatment of foundations, on the seven keys to success, the definition of happiness and the last of all was a colourful one on the importance of appreciating the beautiful world in which we were blessed to be; and directly under this poster, as if providentially, sat the young and attractive Receptionist - filling up the personal particulars of Ashwin and the other candidates on their interview sheets. She not only was appealing to look at, but had a wonderful texture of voice too; in which she informed Ashwin that he would be the last of the eight candidates in the sequence for today’s interviews. In this Ashwin saw the hand of fate, since eight was one of his lucky numbers (along with three, five, eleven, seventeen, twenty three and forty four – as per their family astrologer). Now having time to contemplate and recline on the sofa back, he shifted his focus once more to the receptionist.

She was neither thin nor fat, was adequately tall, a little healthier than athletic and had long black hair that luxuriantly reached about a hand span below the small of her back. She was of dusky complexion, with full hips and a strapping figure. Not being one of the fragile and tender kinds; she looked sturdy and resilient. May be she was single, available, keen or could be engaged? Such and similar ambitious thoughts raced through Ashwin’s fertile mind. Even though being a little hesitant in such matters, he expeditiously harnessed his courage and opened a conversation with the girl. She was quite open to the questions that Ashwin asked her and so the two got on to be talking pretty amicably. Her name was Vaibhavi. She was twenty three years of age and hailed from an orthodox Brahmin family. The conversation between them soon meandered to how difficult it had become to get a decent job these days and how the young had to struggle for an opening.

They both agreed as to how sometimes ‘one’s qualifications’ instead of helping one get a job simply came in the way and resulted in so many other wasted opportunities. But Vaibhavi was thankful to Lord Balaji (of Tirupati) for bestowing upon her this Receptionist’s job – which provided sufficiently for her to look after herself in this big city, teeming with unemployed youth (perhaps even better qualified than her).

Vaibhavi offered an analogy – it was like while you went fishing you decided that you would eat only trout; and no matter how hungry you were, if you caught any salmon, pike, tuna or eel you would simply let them go. Even if it meant going without food for a year or more! (to which both smiled together). Her job as a Receptionist, at the end of the day was a clean job (as she said) - allowing her an air conditioned environment and a five day week.  They had a candid exchange of ideas and Ashwin learnt that since Vaibhavi doubled as a Receptionist as well as a Secretary; her job consisted primarily of managing the clients, fixing of appointments, scheduling the boss’s weekly and monthly itinerary, sending timely bouquets to his wife, making office memos, taking down dictations, accompanying the boss on site visits (both in and out of the city) and whatever other small or sundry tasks were asked of her. Also she had lately picked up short hand to improve her speed at taking down notes.

And now came Ashwin’s turn for the interview. He walked in with a confident stride, faced the panel across the table and answered all their questions - as well as he could (like on all previous interviews). They then asked him about his job experience; since having graduated about four years ago he was yet to make a beginning (this was like touching his raw nerve). And then at the end like always, they said they would let him know (he almost knew what it meant). But then it was already decided that he would neither give up trying nor compromise his job preferences (for lesser options).

Anyway now it was time for him to get back home. While leaving he thought of exchanging telephone numbers with Vaibhavi and following up on their brief association (one never knew the unimaginable possibilities which might unfold in one’s future, with a little initiative; and then of course he had heard the stories about all those bold and adventurous office secretaries). Bringing him back to the present, she asked him how his interview had gone; and also added how sure she was that he would finally get the job. Then politely she asked him the subjects with which he had graduated and his qualifications (just for curiosity's sake, she said). Ashwin promptly and proudly spelt out all his credentials along with mentioning his domain specialization in ‘Construction Designing’; and also how he had been ‘in- waiting’ for the last four years. And then because it seemed only natural, he asked Vaibhavi her qualifications too. At this she smiled and simply replied - that she in the present circumstances had accustomed herself to eating tuna, till she finally caught some trout! But when Ashwin persisted and pressed her with “What exactly have you graduated in?” The beautiful receptionist took a moment and then quite matter-of-factly replied “Sir, I am a Master’s of Science in Genetics, from the University of Illinois, USA”.