I could not believe my good luck. I had a chance to interview for a job during the recession. Part -Time Inside Sales Manager that paid a whopping $20.00 an hour. OMG, all my troubles would be over. I had written a resume that emphasized our business and my phone skills. It was a 32 hour a week inside sales job. That still allowed me to work evenings, Banquet serving! Finding work during this recession was difficult. And they wanted me! I was more than giddy that they liked me. I couldn’t stop doing the Happy Dance.
I showed up every day. Promptly 10 minutes early, and left 15 minutes after closing. My new boss, David, explained how I would be taught the vocabulary of them dialing for dollars. I worked hard to listen, and took over abundant of notes. It would appear that all was going well. Not a bad commute and people were great…..all except for One. The CEO and Senior partner of the company , Patrick Newsom. He had been there for years and years. He had the posture of someone who sits all day and eats all night. With a round tummy and peek-a-boo gray chest hair, that would come right through, his shirt buttons.
Even though I knew, I mean, I have been flirted with. So, it took precisely the one-minute introduction to all of my co-workers when Patrick’s eye’s got big and said. ”What is it we have here.” He introduced himself as Patrick. ”But you honey. You can call me Pat.” He winked and gave me the two hands shake. I wasn’t that innocent to know that he found me attractive. Every time I walked the hallway, he would holler at me through his open office door to come on in. As he waved wildly. He always asked me to close his door. And sit down in one of the two black leather high-back chairs in front of his high-end executive office desk.
I was flattered that one of the top executives in the company had taken an interest in helping me with my new career. I would sit with Pat for it seemed like hours. But more like half-hour. As he explained information about the company, and this and his role, and where they wanted to go in the future. Pat would say, that I was someone he just wanted to get to know better. So many great opportunities awaited me.
Enthusiastically, I would nod in agreement. Truly excited to be part of such a great company. More than once, my boss, David would come to my desk to ask where I had been.