Interview

A bittersweet experience of interview

Sat in the waiting room again
I was blessed to be shortlisted
Dream for a job may not go in vain
Hope for honest living may not be terminated

A dozen candidates were already there
All of them were waiting eagerly like me
A smart man volunteered to share
His thoughts on how the interview might be

Another candidate ventured to bring some smile
He disliked grim faces of the job seekers
He was curious about features of my profile
He joked that help would come from leakers

A man spoke with frustration and disgust
He screamed,"Interviews are just eyewash"
He had no reason to have trust
As the agents chose persons by cash

The storm continued while candidates were summoned
Speculations were high on the conversation in the board
When one emerged from there he was critically questioned
He looked unhappy,exhausted and extremely bored

Suddenly,I was called for the interview
I entered the chamber muttering prayer
I tried to look at the members for a view
My heart sincerely sought divine care 

A male member appeared very rude
He verified my certificates and testimonials
A female looked polite and good
She asked about my activities  and essentials

Experts from special disciplines
Examined my expertise and experience
They asked about my success stories
And means of achieving excellence

The marathon session was coming to close
When the lady asked my expected salary
"I will be happy with your  package",said as my response
As the members hurried to make more query

The rude man insisted,'You must mention a figure"
I told,"I wish the employer will be transparent to the future employee"
He shouted,"You have no right to ask this as a worker"
I was alarmed by the thoughts of modern slavery

Noting such aggressive treatment of the agent
I was compelled to mention an amount
For my mere survival,I had to be patient
I was thus thrown to  a state of strange doubt

Glanced at the waiting room while leaving the place
Other candidates were waiting for their turn
I have to wait for an uncertain message
Interview is a crossroad between life and fun

Reviews

[Jane Taylor Hardy]

I loved the line about modern slavery. This poetry so aptly describes one's innermost feelings at the dreaded Interview. I long for the day when society allows for a better way to obtain work.... and also pays salaries for artists commensurate with scientists. A fine write!

[zainul]

Dear Jane,
You have pinpointed the most vital part of the poem.
I join my voice with you about obtaining job and payment of salaries for artists.
Thank you for stopping by to grace the piece with your excellent review.
Warm regards,
Zainul

[wordman]

i havent searched for a regular job in a while ,but i give estimates weekly the feeling is the same

[zainul]

Thank you dear friend for sharing the feeling.
You are really blessed that you could live without searching a job.
The wearer knows where the shoe pinches.
The employer plays many tricks to buy the services of a job seeker with minimum salary.
You will note that they will present a long list of inexhaustible job responsibilities.
But,they will not be transparent in the case of salary.
They usually mention,"Pay and Allowances-Negotiable".
This nasty trick make the job seeker very vulnerable when he/she desperately needs a job for mere survival.

[wordman]

i was in the restaurant business about 12 years,i have made over 50.000 in a week
and they pay most of there employees minimum wage,bring them in at 5 am
usually pay a manager around 12.00 hr work them 50 hours a week

[zainul]

Thanks for sharing the information so honestly.
We may learn about many similar stories of deception and humiliation from our friends in this site.

[audrie]

I am currently looking for a job and I think that you portrayed a vivid image of the interview process - I could really relate to this story

[zainul]

Thank you for sharing your experience.
This is really a sad part of our life.
But,we have to continue our efforts to secure a job.
I hope you will be blessed with a job soon.

[Marie]

It's been a long time since I had a job interview; I hope never to have one again. It sounds as if you got through this quite well.

[zainul]

Thank you Marie for the great contribution.My chances of job interview will go for ever soon.I wanted to bring to the notice of the young readers who might go for job interviews.Perhaps they will learn some practical aspects of interviews from this poem.
Senior writers may also remember how they experienced job interviews in the past.The best benefit of this poem would be if the employers change their attitude to the prospective employees and explains clearly about the salary and benefits along with the responsibilities of them.It is very ridiculous that some members of the interview boards don't hesitate to insult the interviewees.They forget that once they also appeared in interviews for a job for living.

[Cryingkate]

Hurray for you that you could bite your tongue.
I don't think I could of stayed to finish the interview
If they are going to act that way now, imagine if you get the job?
But when you have family to support I guess you go thru anything.
Sorry you and others were treated that way.

[zainul]

Thank you dear friend for the admiring review and compassion.
This is really a painful experience of most job seekers around the world.
I hope many writers have something to share on this subject.
Thank you for stopping by to glorify this piece.

[audrie]

You're very welcome!

[zainul]

My pleasure,dear poet.:)

[Writer]

I really enjoyed the feel of this piece. The description fits perfectly; definitely bittersweet.

[zainul]

Thank you Writer for enjoying the feel of this piece.
This has been shared to learn from experiences of other poets.
Thank you for stopping by to grace this piece.