| Weds and Thurs I had interviews that lasted two hours each. Friday I had two interviews and one assessment for a previous interview. I thought it would be OK, but I was absolutely drained beyond all belief! Early Friday AM, I awoke with warnings of an imminent migraine. I had no medicine left, but fortunatly the chemists here are allowed to dispense some prescription medicine, so I was allowed two tablets after a round of questions. The left side of my head felt like my skull was being prized apart, I was rapidly losing sight in my left eye and my left ear felt stuffed. Steve said I should reschedule the interviews, but to do so because of illness would be a really bad idea! By the time I arrived at my first interview the medicine had kicked and I started to feel stoned. My mouth felt full of cotton wool and my eyes wouldn't focus. I was desperate to curl up in a ball and sleep! Before I was interviewed before the panel I was given a report to analyse. This job is similiar to the one I was offered in Auckland. I had to read the report over and over because I just couldn't concentrate. It was not a good start. The interview was one of the most intense in that I was asked questions WAAAAAY off what I could have anticipated. My views about homosexuality were questioned, what would I do if I found out a peadophile lived down the road and had befriended my friend with children. Did I believe in rehabilitation. WOW! They were being fired at me thick and fast and there was no where to run. All I could do was answer honestly. I can't hide my disgust at child abusers, and I can't say I would sit there quietly allowing a predator the freedom to do what he wanted. I'm totally with the majority, put them away and throw away the key. Of course, NZ seems a little 'calmer' about these things. In the UK, people are named and shamed and there are lynch mobs around the corner of any peadophile's home. Reactions are raw and there is anger. Here its like this sort of thing just ticks along. I walked out deciding that I probably wouldn't get that job! I had enough time to drive and park for my assessment. At this stage the tablets had worn off and I had some energy. I flew through the tests and finished earlier than I had anticipated. I took the chance to have a break, eat some sushi and knock back some coffee. By the time I reached my final interview I felt dreadful. I was made to wait in a room that had the brightest, most unnatural light I have seen been the victim of. The pain in my head was starting to return. I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the glass, my hair was dissheveled (cheers for that Windy Welly!), I hadn't thought to reapply makeup. My eyes were dark and I was scowling. This was a Business Development Role and I already had to jump through a lot of hoops to get to an interview stage. There was a lot of competition and I felt that I was already on a losing streak with being so ill. I should have rescheduled this one. The Director came in, she was stunning. Much older than me, but with a great figure, makeup perfectly applied and perfect hair without a strand out of place. Her skin was flawless and her jewerllery was understated but clearly expensive. Her manner was friendly, but brisk and professional. I was surprised that when I spoke my voice was gravelly as if I was chain smoker. Exhaustion had me in a vice. Her questions was fast and when I hadn't answered them with information that she was after, she prompted me. Sometimes I forgot the question! I was trying so hard to talk without slurring and without messing up words (a side effect of a migraine attack), that I'd forget what the bloody question was. I just wanted to put my head on the table! I did explain to her that I wasn't at my best and she said she sympathised, although she didn't get migraines, her Mother and Sister in Law did so she saw the impact of them. Thank god for that! She said she wouldn't have minded if I'd ask to reschedule and I really wish I had. The interview lasted only an hour, but I knew I'd bombed. Driving home my eyeballs ached so much I wanted to guage them out! When I got home I didn't want to talk, I didn't want to think and I didn't want look at anything!! I curled up in bed and slept there, pretty much until Saturday lunch time. The weather was finally nice and another round of medicine made sure I was able to go out and enjoy it (in the car with my sunglasses on!!!). Today its dark and miserable. I'd a bit fed up! I want some more sun! I want to get my washing dry and take a walk along the beach. I want to be in our home, settled. I miss the dog, never thought I'd hear myself say that, afterall she is just an animal, but she's part of our family and I miss walking her and seeing her tilted head looking at me through the window. I'm disapointed with this week. I fought to get shortlisted for interviews, given the chance to prove myself only to crash and burn in horrific style. |