Every life has its turning-point weeks. The first week of December 1998 was one of my biggest...
I've only ever had four jobs in my life. Ten years ago I'd been in Job 2 for ages and was looking to move on. There were two outstanding contenders - Job 3a and Job 3b. Both were pretty much identical, based in neighbouring counties, promising a decent increase in salary and responsibility. Both would require me to move house and to drive everywhere. Of the two, Job 3a was better suited to me and Job 3b was better suited to my circumstances. Their interviews were on consecutive days. And Job 3a's interviews were first...
Thursday, December 03, 1998
2:50pm Job interview for Job 3a: My presentation goes well, and I answer all the questions they throw at me. It's all very friendly, apart from the go-getting deputy who's been in post for three days and has a slightly evil look in her eye. I think I could be happy enough here. 3:45pm Look people, I have another interview tomorrow for Job 3b. When you've made your decision, could I have a 24 hour extension? Thanks, that's more than kind of you. 6pm A phone call from the smiliest bloke on the panel. Job 3a is mine, if I want it. Hurrah. I'll get back to you tomorrow on that. 7pm Back home, not everybody is pleased that I might take Job 3a. It's made clear to me that I really ought to take Job 3b instead.
Friday, December 04, 1998
1:30pm Job interview for Job 3b: I've reached the shortlist from an earlier day of selection, so I'm feeling fairly positive. My interview goes OK, although I walk out with the usual list of things I wish I'd said. It's all very professional, but not exactly warm. I could cope here. 5pm I'm on a train, with one of those new-fangled mobile phones. I have voicemail. It's Job 3a, and they want an answer. Now. But that's not fair - I haven't heard back from Job 3b yet. I take a deep breath, and tell Job 3a to wait. Ulp. 5:20pm I'm still on a train. It's Job 3a again, this time with the evil go-getting deputy on the phone. She's quite stroppy. I have ten minutes. 5:30pm Job 3b has not yet rung with a decision. I ring around elsewhere for serious lifestyle crisis advice. I am advised to hold fast in the face of unfair pressure. 5:40pm The woman from Job 3a rings back, no doubt frustrated that my phone was engaged earlier. Look, I can't say Yes yet. So I'm told No, time up, goodbye. 5:41pm Bugger! Ah well, there's always Job 3b. Certain people are very impressed that I've chosen Job 3b over Job 3a. 7:15pm Job 3b finally rings back. Sorry, it's a No. Damn! 7:16pm Bugger, I appear to have no new job at all. I could have had Job 3a, but I threw it away. Nobody is impressed. 7:30pm I am advised to ring back Job 3a and lie. I happen to have the mobile number of the smiley bloke on the panel. It's possible that's he's much nicer than the evil she-midget who turned me down earlier. But, but, I don't lie, I really shouldn't do that, that's just so not me...
Life-pivot moment: I ring back the smiley boss from Job 3a and interrupt his Friday evening. I've *cough* just got home. I've *cough* not heard from Job 3b yet. I'm really very disappointed in your organisation's behaviour earlier this evening. Smiley boss is very supportive, but never mind because surely I'll get Job 3b. He asks me to ring back when I've heard.
8:10pm I ring back again. I put on a good act. Oh my God you won't believe this but I didn't get Job 3b. Now I'm jobless and distraught, oh woe is me. Smiley boss is surprised and upset, surely they've made a mistake. He says he'll see what he can do and will ring me back later. 9:20pm Smiley boss rings back later. Believe it or not they can offer me Job 3a after all. I'm not quite sure how or why, but I'm not complaining. Oh hoo-bloody-rah! 9:30pm Everybody is extremely pleased, even those who didn't really want me to get Job 3a in the first place. 11:55pm Phew, that could have gone exceptionally badly, but (somehow) it ended up with me getting the one of the two jobs I actually wanted.
Saturday, December 05, 1998
9am Wake up with a grin. 12 noon Go out and buy my first car.
As it turned out, Job 3a was indeed the better of the two. And without Job 3a I'd never have got Job 4. And without Job 4 I'd never have ended up moving to London, and I'd not be having a whale of a time, and you'd not be reading this. Sometimes a big white lie can change your life. Thanks for the suggestion.
