"Dress like you mean business." That's what the job description had said. So I did. I wore those mid-height black pumps that say "I'm not a stripper but know how to wear heels." I had black leggings, because this was a more formal business environment. My skirt and blouse were form fitting, but sleeveless and ending at mid thigh. Was it too bold? Maybe, but everyone knows that men like something to look at, and I was going to use every advantage I had today.
This was an 'interview day' for a new job, as executive assistant to our companies CEO, and I wanted to make a good first impression. If he liked the job I did, compared to other candidates, I would get the promotion, and I totally wanted it.
I met him in his office first thing in the morning to introduce myself, as I had only previously interviewed with HR for this job. I had never really had a face to face conversation with the CEO before, and was amazed by how young he looked. This was relative, of course, as he was probably at least 5 years older than I, but not much more. And tall too, I probably only just came up to his shoulders, which were very broad, like he was definitely working out. He had a dress shirt without a tie (who wears ties anymore?), and had a strong, clean cut chin.
"Hello?" (deep voice), he said with a smile.
"Nice to meet you, sir," I replied.
"No need for the 'sir' stuff, I like to think that we will comfortable with one another working together, and this interview should be no different."
I nodded.
"Unfortunately, there's been an unexpected change of plans, and I have to fly to a meeting in another city, but the return flight is tonight, so you can come along and do your best to keep up, is that okay?"
"That's fine, trial by fire, right?"
"I guess so."
From there the day was a whirlwind, with the ride to the airport (private limo, leather seats) with me handling some paperwork and transcribing letters to write on the way, to the flight (company jet, with on-board boardroom, more leather seats) keeping the higher-ups full of coffee and doing more secretarial work, to the conference in New York. We ate lunch in some skyscraper overlooking manhattan, and although it felt like a constant rush of work there were brief moments of downtime for me to take it all in. I could see why he was CEO: he had a way of inspiring the people around him, and exuded confidence. He was clearly the alpha-male type, and I found myself stealing glances his way more often. We may have even made eye contact a few times, and I had to remind myself that this was technically an interview day, and I should behave. The last thing I need is for my potential boss to think I'm some silly little flirt...
The conference ended on schedule and we drove back to the airport. There were fewer people with us, as some had to stay over for more meetings, or something. I didn't really care; I realized I was actually exhausted from being on my feet all day. The plane took off, and we left New York behind, the city lights disappearing below us.
Aside from the CEO and I, there may have been only 1 or 2 passengers on the flight (who fell asleep right away), and the pilots of course. Once we were cruising, he said, "Hey, do you want to go get a drink?"
I accepted, a little uncertainly, and followed him to the back of the plane, where there was some kind of mini-bar in the meeting room. He shut the door behind him as we walked in. I wasn't sure if I should really be drinking with someone who was thinking about hiring me, so I just went along with it.
It was the first time since the beginning of the day that we had been alone together, and I could feel the atmosphere between us changed. I guess this was his stress relief; maybe he was as tired as I was.
He asked me how I felt the day went, complemented me on how I had handled things, and we started to talk more casually about other things as the world outside changed to night. He told me about founding the company, and how it had been far more successful than he had imagined, but how the work left him with relatively little free time.