Chapter 7

Chapter 7

The dinner with Hailey and Josh last Saturday went well. We got a little adventurous and walked around Times Square to look for a place to eat. I was surprised to see a Jollibee at Times Square that we ended up eating there.

It's a Filipino fast food and when I was 16, our family went on a vacation to the Philippines to visit some family. That was the last time I ate at Jollibee. So, trying it again, 10 years later, was kind of nostalgic. The customer service is great and the staff were friendly, I really felt like I was in the Philippines again.

Josh loved the Chicken Joy and Hailey enjoyed their version of Spaghetti. I think their Peach Mango Pie is fairly new because I don't remember trying that before but I loved it. Just makes me proud that I'm part Filipino.

After dinner, we dropped by a few stores, and shopped then took the Subway ride home.

I wish I could go back to that evening where I don't have to worry about an interview.

I don't know if it's just me but no matter how many times I go through an interview, I can't seem to shake my nerves off.

I stand in front of the building where MGC Models is situated. I took a deep breath before entering the building. I showed my identification to the guard and told him I'm here for MGC Models and that I have an interview.

Like all things New York City, there was a line for the elevator. I got on the line and noticed that everyone here is very well dressed. I suddenly felt conscious of my outfit. I decided to wear business casual. I went with a simple white shirt tucked underneath my black high-waisted slacks. I wore a burgundy blazer for a pop of color then paired it with the classic black stilettos.

When I reached the 4th floor, I walked over to the receptionist.

"Hi, good morning." I started.

"Hi, Welcome to MGC Models. Good morning. I'm Sharon." she had a big smile plastered on her face then continued, "I'm sorry but you should know we don't accept walk-in applicants." she said.

"Oh, no. I'm not a walk-in applicant. I have an appointment. Grant? Lauren Grant?"

Her eyebrows knit together, "Huh, I'm pretty sure I haven't seen your profile for today's appointments but okay, I'll check." then she went typing away on the computer.

"I'm sorry, can you please state your name again?"

"Uh, yeah, it's Lauren Grant. That's L-A-U-R-E-N." I replied then she typed again.

She shook her head, "You're not listed."

"Well, there must be some sort of error? Can you please check again? They're expecting me to be here before 10:00."

"I'm sorry Miss, but you're really not in today's list of model applicants."

"Oh!" I raised my brows and a grin began to form on my face. "I'm not." I snorted slightly. It's flattering how she thought I'd try to model. "I'm not trying to be scouted as a model. I'm here for the Accounting position?"

"Oh, back office! You should've led with that," she said with a smile then began typing again.

"Yes, you're on this list. Please proceed to the, uh, 3rd room on my left. There's the Human Resources Department."

"Thanks, Sharon," I said with a smile. She smiled back then I proceeded to walk down the hallway.

The doors in this office were all glass. Their theme is clean and minimalist – with all-white walls and black and wood accents. And with all the glass walls, there's a lot of natural light coming in – it's like some of the outdoors are inside; all very light and airy. I like the atmosphere of the environment so far.

As I entered the HR Department, I was told to wait by their office benches.

It was about 5 minutes before someone from the department approached me and asked for my name. She checked her list and asked me to come with her.

She introduced herself first. She's Alicia Deveraux, the one whom I talked with on the phone. She asked me pretty standard questions. Name, age, my alma mater, the year I graduated, past experiences, and what makes me think I'm qualified for the position. I think I aced it, pretty much.  It's not like you can go wrong with trivial questions about yourself.

After which, she asked me to wait again by the benches. Looks she's going to have to forward me to a second panel, which is great.

The second panel is the HR Manager with her more serious questions.  She asked me how I found out about the opening and how I can bring value to the company – all questions I've heard before. I even had those worn-out "Why should we hire you?" and "Greatest Strength and Greatest Weakness" questions.

If  I'm being honest, Interview questions from Human Resources don't really rattle me. All the nerves I was talking about before going in vanished when the interview process was already on-going.

The bad thing is, they all go back when they begin to ask me about  Accounting and all its technicalities and standards. I always felt like  I'm back in the classroom with everyone looking at me as I recite the  IFRS rules for revenue recognition or the percentages of Corporate Tax as determined by law.

Another waiting-on-the-benches happened before they called me again for the final interview with the Accounting Manager.

I stood from my seat and took a deep breath. I'm ready. I can do this.

Ms. Deveraux accompanied me to the next room, being the Accounting Department.

I  try to get a good first look at it. I wouldn't get another with fresh eyes especially if I'm going to be hired. Wow, I might actually spend most of my days here for I don't know how many months or years of my life.

"Ms. Campbell, this is Ms. Grant, she's the applicant for the Accounting Associate position." Ms. Deveraux said as we reached the glass office of Ms. Campbell.

"Hi, Ms. Grant." Ms. Campbell said as she extended her right hand which I shook with vigor. "Nice shake," she noted.

"Hi, Ms. Campbell. Thanks." I smiled at her.

"Please take a seat, Ms. Grant." she gestured toward one of the 2 chairs in front of her table. She took the folder of my profile from Ms. Deveraux and continued,  "Thanks, Alicia, I'll take it from here."

I  smiled at her as she sat. She's wearing an emerald green silk dress with some big pearls on her neck. She's gorgeous and looks like she's about 45.  She has this air of kindness and I hope my first impression of her lasts. I really need a good boss right now – someone who can teach me, someone whom I can look up to, an I-want-to-be-like-her-when-I-grow-up kind of boss.

She opened the folder and nodded. It's kind of hard to see her expression while she's examining my profile.

"Alright," she said as she put down the folder and looked at me with a small smile.

I  smiled at her sheepishly. Okay, that was bad. I just know that it is. I  don't even need a mirror. God, why am I like this? I don't know what to do.

"Why don't we introduce ourselves first?" she said with a smile. "I'll start. I'm Harper Campbell, CFO of MGC Models. I'm not bragging but I  think you should know that I'm the 'C' in MGC."

"I'm  Lauren Grant, I've only been board certified 3 years ago and I still have a lot to learn. And I don't think it's bragging; I really should know that and, in my opinion, it can never be called bragging. You must  have gone through a lot just to reach where you are now and that's  clearly admirable."

She smiled at me. "I did go through a lot, actually." she said then she cleared her throat, "Okay. Based on your profile, I've seen that you've been an  Accounting Associate at Steinhouse, Inc. for a year, is that correct?"  she asked.

"Yes, Ma'am, that is correct," I replied.

"Care to tell me all about it?"

"Of  course." I nodded. "I handled the Accounts Receivable account –  from billing to payment application – and the Daily Audit of their Other  Tender transactions."

She nodded, "Isn't that just fate?" she rested both her elbows on the table and clasped her hands together. "We were looking for an Accounting  Associate to manage the AR Account. The previous handler gave birth and had to quit to take care of her baby." she continued.

"Oh," I said at a loss for words.

"So,  I know that you've already been asked this question by Leilah, our HR Manager, but I  need to hear it for myself, considering the stakes are bigger for me in  this company."

I nodded in agreement.

"How can you bring value to the company?" she continued.

"I  will not promise working hard – it's not very effective and I learned that the hard way. Instead, I can bring value to the company by working smart. I can assure you that I'm very organized – my references can  vouch that for me – and I'll use it to my advantage to get work done  efficiently and effectively."

"Tell me, Ms. Grant. Why did you quit Steinhouse?"

"The company was nice to me and I wish I could say the usual "greener pastures" excuse but as much as I hate to say this, I have to come clean. I quit because of my previous manager, among other reasons. I  decided to stop being a victim of her gaslighting."

"Wow." she exhaled loudly, "I didn't know Steinhouse was tolerating gaslighting."

I  shrugged, "I guess she's just that invaluable to them. They were  numerous HR reports on her attitude but they aren't doing anything about  it so I decided I should just leave."

She nodded. "Well, I can assure you that at MGC Models, we never tolerate toxic behavior. But we need one-trait though. We need someone who's not a killjoy." she smirked. "Accounting is a very serious job as it is, we aim to make our office experience a little more fun. Can I count on you  on that, Ms. Grant?"

I smiled at her. "Definitely, Ms. Campbell."

"Alright." she closed my folder. "It was really nice meeting you and I look forward to working with you soon."

"Wait, I'm hired?" my eyes bulged.

"Well, not quite. Yet, at least. HR will give you the company pre-employment requirements. As soon as you accomplish the legal documents, medical and physical exam,  you'll be able to start. But as far as I'm concerned, you're in. So,  what do you say, Ms. Grant?"

I smiled widely. I cannot believe I've met someone like her. I think this will work.

"I just have one question though, are we the head office of all the international branches?"

"A  girl who does her research." she nodded approvingly. "Yes, we are the head office, but if you're worried about us being the same as  Steinhouse then you have nothing to worry about. We're an international  agency but we don't tackle with Sales, so you know the effect of that in  terms of the books."

"Yes,"  I said as I nod. She's right, their transactions wouldn't be as heavy,  billing of commissions here and there will be the main concern.

She stood from her seat and extended her arm; I stood and shook it.

"I hope to see more of you, Ms. Grant. Think about it."

"I will. Thank you for your time, Ms. Campbell." I smiled then exited her office.