Chapter 42 Maggie's Humiliating Interview
After the woman left, Maggie stepped out and washed her hands, her confidence significantly undermined.
What if others were also using money to skip the line? Did she even stand a chance anymore?
Just then, her phone rang. It was Dulcinea calling to ask about the interview.
Maggie relayed the restroom incident, expressing her doubts. "Dulce, do you think I'm too ambitious, coming here? Everyone else is so qualified, and some are even paying their way in. What chance do I have?"
Dulcinea was unfazed. "Maggie, relax, you've got this." Her faith was unshakable. After all, Maggie had the CEO of Visionary Futures Group watching her back.
Before her interview at Visionary Futures Group, Dulcinea learned that Maggie was applying, and she felt pleased, even though she had no clue about Fiorello's intentions; at least until now, Maggie had been treated fairly.
Getting Maggie into Visionary Futures Group was a form of recognition.
Maggie took it as a comforting remark when she said, "You know, I bet most of the girls today came just for the CEO of Visionary Futures Group. They're not really interested in the designer assistant position."
"Those girls are just wasting their time. The CEO of Visionary Futures Group is out of their league," Dulcinea said half-seriously, "For all we know, the CEO of Visionary Futures Group might already be taken, and the public's just in the dark about it."
Maggie didn't care about the personal life of the CEO of Visionary Futures Group. Even if she got the job, she figured she'd probably never get a chance to meet the CEO.
Checking the time, Maggie said, "I'd better stop chatting and go in for the interview, successful or not. Talk to you later."
After hanging up, Maggie headed for the waiting area. She hadn't got a clear look at the woman who tried to bribe the interviewer earlier in the cubicle.
The person interviewed before Maggie was Emily Roberts, who came out within minutes.
"How did it go?" Maggie asked, noticing Emily's quick return.
Emily shrugged, "It's iffy."
Maggie's anxiety spiked. "If your excellent qualifications aren't enough, what chance do I have?"
As she fretted, a voice from inside the room called, "Next, please."
It was Maggie's turn.
"Go on, Maggie," Emily encouraged.
With her resume in hand, Maggie wasted no time and entered.
Outside the door she felt insecure, but crossing that threshold, she collected her emotions and exuded confidence.
Success or not, it was all about showing composure.
Maggie greeted the four interviewers warmly, "Good afternoon, I'm Maggie, and here's my resume."
Maggie handed over her resume, and several tired interviewers perked up at the sight of it after having interviewed dozens of candidates already.
The HR department had listed the job as requiring only a high school diploma, yet all of the applicants were distinguished graduates from prestigious universities. To apply with merely a high school diploma seemed almost self-deprecating.
Maggie was the only one among the candidates with just a high school diploma.
A female interviewer, uncertain, asked, "Maggie? 25 years old, high school diploma? There’s no mistake in printing?"
The remark was already quite tactful.
Maggie nodded earnestly, "No mistake, high school diploma."
The interviewers exchanged looks of disbelief. A candidate with only a high school diploma felt like a waste of their time.
One male interviewer didn’t even glance at Maggie as he crumpled her resume into a ball and threw it into the trash, chiding, "What's the HR department doing, bringing in someone with just a high school diploma? Next, please."
His action was a slap in the face to Maggie's self-respect.
Maggie's face twisted in discomfort, but she held her head high and spoke firmly, "The job posting stated that a high school diploma was sufficient. I agree that a diploma is a stepping stone, but it’s not all about educational qualifications. You haven’t even looked at my design portfolio. How do you know I’m not capable?"
That was just Maggie’s nature. She might be meek on a regular day, but challenge her competence and her competitive spirit flared. She was driven to prove to the world, and to herself, that she, Maggie, was capable.
The male interviewer sneered, “A high school graduate and you think you understand what it means to be a jewelry designer? You probably can’t tell the difference between a gem and glass.”
Maggie was fuming, about to retort, when suddenly the door behind them was pushed open. All four interviewers stood up, faces showing respect.
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