Chapter Thirty-Two
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Riley’s first interview the next day was at eleven. The building was on the same street that she used to work on, just a few blocks down. She entered the lobby and a smiling receptionist welcomed her. Riley instantly liked the vibe. The walls in the reception area were a peachy pink and there were green plants everywhere and smooth jazz playing on the radio.
“I’ll let the team know that you’re here. Please have a seat, and help yourself to water or coffee.”
Riley decided against either. She didn’t want to risk a spill before her interview started and when she got nervous she sometimes was clumsy. She sat in a comfy chair and picked up a copy of People magazine and flipped through it. It was hard to focus on the celebrity gossip, though. She was nervous about this interview. The company seemed great and the job seemed right up her alley. She’d found that she often did better on interviews when she was less interested as it was easier to relax and be herself when she didn’t care if she got the job. She cared about this one.
A few minutes later, a tall man with glasses walked into the lobby. He was casually dressed in a green button-down shirt and khaki pants. He looked around the lobby and since Riley was the only person there, he looked her way and smiled. “Riley Sanders?”
She stood. “Nice to meet you.”
“Thanks for coming in. I’m Bill Westwood in human resources, we spoke on the phone.” He led her into a conference room where she recognized the three people she’d had the videoconference with and a man Bill introduced as Alan Sherman, the CEO of the company. Riley was surprised that he was involved in the interview process, but it wasn’t a very big company, just over a hundred people. He obviously liked to be hands-on with hiring, which actually impressed Riley. She smiled as Bill went around the room introducing everyone again. He pulled out a chair for her to sit and then left the room.
It was a little intimidating to be at a four-way interview, but they put her at ease quickly.
“I hope you don’t mind that I joined the interview process,” Alan began. “I started this company thirty years ago and I’ve met every employee before they started here. The people I’ve hired are a key reason for this company’s success.”
Riley nodded. Alan asked her about her past experience and what she’d liked most about the position. She smiled. That was an easy one to start with. She had loved that job and was happy to talk about what she enjoyed most.
“And what did you like least about it?” he asked.
Riley didn’t hesitate. “The fact that we lost our jobs to AI technology.”
They all laughed but Alan nodded sympathetically. “I’d probably be a little bitter about that, too,” he admitted. “We do use some AI here, but not at the expense of anyone’s jobs. We use it to enhance what we are already doing. I don’t believe in replacing people with machines.”
Riley relaxed a little and smiled. “That is reassuring,” she said.
The other three she’d met with previously had a few more questions for her as well and after they finishing talking, Alan gave her a tour of the building. He pointed out the work area. “That’s where the marketing team sits—where you might be.” His eyes twinkled as she said it and Riley started to feel hopeful. The area was about half full and Alan explained that they had a flexible commuting policy.
“I don’t mind if people work from home, as little or as much as they want. As long as the work gets done and everyone is happy, it’s all good to me,” he said.
That intrigued Riley. She’d never worked remotely much, unless she was traveling. Her last company preferred to have people on-site. She liked the idea of working from home a bit, especially on days when the weather was bad.
When they ended up back at the lobby, Alan said they would be in touch soon.
“Thank you for coming in. I enjoyed our talk,” he said. “Are you close on anything else at the moment?” he asked casually.
Riley nodded. “I have another final interview later today. But your company is my top choice,” she admitted. She thought it might help for them to know that. At least she hoped it would help. It was hard to know for sure.
“That’s good to hear. Thank you, Riley. Hopefully we will talk soon.”
Riley left the interview feeling pretty good about her chances. She’d liked everyone that she’d met with and the job sounded even better now that she had more insight into what they were working on. She’d been there for several hours and her stomach was grumbling a little. She had time for a quick lunch before she had to head over to Jack’s law firm for her interview at three.
She decided to wait until she was closer to the law firm before stopping for lunch. She didn’t want to risk getting there late. There was a Pret a Manger a block away from the law firm and she’d passed by several on her way over so by the time she walked into this one she knew exactly what she wanted. She got her usual—the blackened salmon and avocado bowl. It was light and she always felt good when she ate salmon.
She had a hot chai tea when she finished and sipped it as she checked messages and social media on her phone until it was time to head in for her interview. She felt much more relaxed for this interview as it wasn’t her top choice. She was curious, though, about what the environment was like.
Riley walked into the building lobby and showed her license to the security guard. He checked his list of people that were expected for appointments that day and waved her on through. She took the elevator to the twenty-sixth floor and stepped into a plush lobby that had gleaming dark hardwood floors and beautiful oriental rugs under glass-topped coffee tables. Gorgeous artwork hung on the walls and there was chocolate-brown leather everywhere.
The receptionist was very polished and wore her brown hair tied back in an elegant French twist. Her makeup was perfect and her glasses were so fashionable that Riley wondered if they were just for show. She wore a lavender silk shirt and a black blazer that had the company’s name embroidered on the pocket. She looked up when Riley approached the desk and gave her a polite half-smile.
“How may I help you?”
“I’m here for an interview. Riley Sanders.”
The woman looked at a printed schedule and nodded. “Someone will be right with you. Please have a seat.”
Riley did as instructed and sat in one of the leather chairs. Or rather she sank into it. The leather was so soft and buttery and comfortable. Two minutes later someone came to get her. She was a young woman, maybe in her early twenties, and she introduced herself as Taylor something from HR. Riley just nodded and murmured something about being happy to meet her.
Taylor led her down a long hallway to a big conference room where three people were sitting around an oval table. They all stood when Riley and Taylor entered the room. Taylor made the introductions. “Riley, this is Jim Stone, managing director, and you met Anne and Steve already.” They’d been on the video call.
Riley nodded. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Likewise,” Jim said. “Thanks for coming in.”
Riley sat down and the interview began. They asked a lot of the same questions she’d answered earlier and she answered them again with a smile. Even though she felt like she was repeating herself.
“So, Riley, what makes you want to work here?” Jim asked.
Riley hesitated. She supposed honesty would not be the best approach here. If she admitted that she really wasn’t all that keen to work at a law firm they probably wouldn’t appreciate that and think that she was wasting their time. So she tried to think of something positive to say.
“Well, the job description really lines up well with what I’ve done,” she began.
“And I’ve never worked in a law firm, but I’ve always found it intriguing. My boyfriend is an attorney and he’s always spoken so highly of the firm. He let me know about the opening and I decided to learn more.”
Jim nodded. “Very good. And we all love Jack here.” He looked around the room. “Does anyone have any more questions for Riley?” They’d been talking for well over an hour already. No one had any more questions.
Riley had already asked a few. She smiled and said, “I really appreciate the chance to learn more about this role and your company. Is there anything else that I can further explain?”
Jim glanced around the room and no one said anything. “I think we’re good, Riley. We’ll have a decision very soon. If we were to move forward, how quickly could you begin?” Riley thought for a moment. Her mother was going off her crutches on Monday and getting a leg brace that would make it easier to move around.
“I could probably start the Monday after Christmas. If you’re open that week.”
Jim laughed. “Oh, we’re open! That’s good to know you can start so quickly. You will hear from us very soon, Riley. Thanks again for coming in.”
He left her in the lobby and she stepped outside and called Jack. He picked up immediately.
“How did it go?”
“I think it went okay.”
“Good. Sit tight for a minute. I’ll be right down. A bunch of us are heading out for drinks. We can go with them if you like or out to dinner, just the two of us. Your call.”
It had been over a year since she’d gone out with Jack’s colleagues after work. She was curious to meet them again and see if she could get more of a feel for the culture of the office.
“Drinks with your coworkers sounds fun. Let’s do that.”
Riley’s fingers were crossed for the other job, but she didn’t want to get her hopes up. If that one didn’t work out, this could be an option. Right now, though, she didn’t want to think about her job search. She was ready to relax and have a cocktail with Jack and his colleagues.