You're Overqualified

Below is Part 5, and the final part of a storyline that I started last week.


The story chronicles a typical example of my failed attempts to get a job with a law Degree on my resume.


Sorry for all the jumping around and scattering of the posts (some lawyer I'd make right?)
But to finally get organized, and to recap,


Part 1 is here:
http://esquirepainting.blogspot.com/2010/12/decent-job-at-last.html


Part 2:
http://esquirepainting.blogspot.com/2011/01/painting-henry-fords-house.html


Part 3:
http://esquirepainting.blogspot.com/2010/12/good-brain-autobiographical-short-story.html


Part 4:
http://esquirepainting.blogspot.com/2011/01/everything-will-be-fine.html


Anyway, it all gets incorporated into the larger Novel, with a lot more transitional and filler material involving subplots etc. But at least this storyline, or part of a subplot, is complete.

 *And Hopefully, now you can understand why I had to back up and lay a foundation for this story with my post yesterday:

http://esquirepainting.blogspot.com/2011/01/dedication-page-to-my-novel.html

To get everyone to stare straight into the face or eyes of the Medusa, so to speak.

You're Overqualified

Over that weekend, neither of us brought up the topic of the next Allstate job interview. But we were more light-hearted as we went about our Saturday and Sunday routines.

On Saturday, we got up early, and took our Springer Spaniel, Star, to the beach for a walk. A Pure Breed water dog, Star loved the beach; and as soon as we pulled into the parking lot she  started barking loudly at the smell of the salt air. And when we let her out of the car she tore   across the parking lot onto the rocky beach, then to the edge of the water-as if she just had to get her feet wet.  It didn't matter what time of the year it was, and cold water never deterred her.  

Then Star sprinted ahead of us, running up and down all the staircases of the vacant waterfront summer homes. Up and down and up and down and almost out of sight, until she came running straight back across the beach and towards us at full gallop.

We would always laugh at this, and greet Star enthusiastically: "Hey Girl! Hey Girl!, sometimes throwing a tennis ball or a stick for her to chase.

After the beach we would usually drive to the town of Riverhead, and go shopping at Wallmart while it was still relatively early, and before the crowd. And there we purchased the usual essentials: Paper towels, bathroom paper, toothpaste, hair spray etc. --anything that was sold by Walmart for a lot less than the supermarket would charge. I recall buying a very nice Maglite flashlight that held four D sized batteries, and I felt thrifty and clever, because it sold for at least four dollars less than what the local hardware Store charged for the exact same item. 

After Wallmart, we would go Grocery shopping, and sometimes stop for lunch at the Diner, or a late breakfast if we were too early for lunch.

Once in a while we would bring Star with us, and I would wait in the car with her, or walk her around the parking lot if I didn't feel like going into the store.

After that we occassionally stopped  at TJ MAXX, or drove to the "Mini Macy's" in Hampton Bays, but usually, we would go home and spend the rest of the day doing household chores, or reading the papers beforehand,and doing the bills.

Sundays were usually more sedate, but sometimes we would do this entire routine on a Sunday if I had to work for the Painting Company on Saturday. It was never a question of if I wanted to work Saturday. It was very strongly implied that I  had to, if I wanted to keep my job. Which is not to say I didn't work on Saturdays anyway, if necessary; for I always needed to make extra money. And on Sunday, as always  my wife would spend time cooking a more elaborate meal, and, later in the day, prepare our lunches, and paper bag them for the next working day.

Before we went to bed on Sunday night, my wife playfully asked: "So, you gonna knock 'em dead tomorrow?"

"Who. You mean Allstate?" I asked.

"Who do you think I mean? The painters?"

I laughed and said: "Of course. I've done lots of interviews by now. This is just another one." And I added: "The Recruiter said that she'll call at four PM. That's three PM her time in Chicago. So I'm going to have to break off early from work to be here when she calls. (We did not have cell phones at the time). I'll just tell the foreman I have a Dentist appointment or something."

--------------------------------

The next evening I was home at exactly 4AM, and as I came in the back door the telephone was ringing. Sure enough, it was Jennifer, the Allstate Recruiter from Chicago.

"How are you?" she asked.  "Fine, thanks" I replied.  

Then Jennifer proceeded to ask me the typical job interview questions. She seemed well prepared, and one question flowed after another and I answered them in a way that I felt was both competent on my end, as well as encouraging for her to hear.

Questions sort of like: "What would you say that you have done that involves handling a task from start to finish where you had to use initiative or be resourceful......."

And if I hesitated, I would fall back on the old saw about the Law Degree helping me to solve problems and be analytical......and she seemed impressed, and it pleased me that she seemed impressed, but at the same time I was annoyed at myself for having these nagging thoughts all the while: 

               'But she sounds young. She sounds young. What does she know about
                a law degree? Why wouldn't she be impressed?'

I guess those thoughts were informed by so many failed job interviews beforehand. However, our  interview eventually came to a close and Jennifer said: "Good Deal".

"The next step, Jennifer said, is for you to go to our local office and take a test."

"A test?" What kind of test?"

"Oh, it's a test we give all the applicants. It's to see if you have the skills we are looking for. I can set up an appointment now if you like."  And she did, and a few days later I was in the Office Building taking the test she spoke of.

The office building was state-of-the-art and new, with a sort of mirrored teal- greenish, glass exterior.  I wore my new new shirt that my wife had purchesed at TJ MAXX after our trip to Walmart the previous Saturday.  My tie, which had never been worn before, was from Brooks Brothers- a Christmas present from my wife from three years before. And a suit, of course, which was a present from my father. A Law School graduation present.

I was very excited to be in the office, and shook hands with the Manager and other personnel I met, and was escorted into a conference room and given a pencil and test sheet.

I took the test, and when Jennifer called from Chicago two days later, she told me that I had passed it, and that only half the people that took it ever passed; and that I was ready for the final interview which, of course, we scheduled for the next week.

My wife and I were estatic.

"You should see the place." I said. Everything is brand new, The furniture, the carpets. Nice work areas. And even a view of the Long Island Expressway from where I will probably be working. And the people seem nice. They were all really nice. And polite. And everybody seemed intelligent. What a diference! God Baby, I can't tell you how lonely it can be to be shut off from working in the company of intelligent, educated people. I mean, I can live without it, and I don't really care, but it is just one of those extra things.....and it's been so long.....and I didn't hear anybody say "Motherfucker" the whole time I was there.

We both laughed long and loudly when I said the last line, and my wife held me and said:

"Honey, I'm so proud."

TO BE CONTINUED

*  Note: If anyone is interested, stay tuned for the next installment. The Post will be called: "John The Profane"  (or Filial Devotion). I have decided to stretch the storyline a little. So basically, in the story, I go back to my painting work, where the further crude adventures of JD Painterguy continue. After that I conclude the whole Allstate thing subplot.  (1-11-11)

 I still Love you Star, with all my Heart.

My New Buddy as a puppy last year.

And Full Grown Now