Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
When they’re still silent, I extend my hand to the man on the left. I’d estimate he’s at least five to ten years older than me, maybe in his mid-thirties. His hair is nearly black and stylishly cut, thicker at the top with the sides trimmed close. His neat mustache emphasizes the lushness of his lips, which are curved down in a way that makes it seem like I’m the one who was late to our meeting. Little wisps of silver in his beard shimmer in the light of the setting sun that comes in through the windows.
“Hi, I’m Ana Flores,” I say with much more confidence than I’m feeling.
“Derek Brooks.” There’s no nice to meet you, no change in his expression to make me feel welcome. There is, however, an electrifying sizzle when his hand grips mine.
I supply the niceties that good social graces call for, and tell him that it’s nice to meet him, before I offer my hand to the second man, who looks even more unpleasant than the first, but equally as sexy. He’s around the same age as Mr. Brooks, but with golden brown hair that I want to run my fingers through. His hand is big and engulfs mine with a firm touch.
“Jansen Bennett.”
“Nice to meet you. Thank you both for meeting with me.”
I’m met with cold stares that somehow do nothing to cool my rising body temperature, and maybe I’m not the only one feeling some kind of attraction, because I’d swear that Mr. Bennett’s bright eyes dip down to my chest, where I’m modestly covered by a white button-down under a slate blue blazer.
I slide a copy of my resume across the table to each of them.
“What position are you here for?” Mr. Brooks asks. So they’re not only late, but also unprepared, though maybe it’s hard for them to keep track of job interviews when they have so many openings.
“Human resource manager. I’m a generalist in my current position, as you’ll see from the description on my resume, and I have nearly four years of experience on top of my certifications.”
They each review my resume as I speak, Mr. Brooks perusing it casually, while Mr. Bennett scrutinizes it as if he’s looking for the stationery’s watermark.
The management position they advertised would be a big step up for me, and though I haven’t worked at that level yet, I know I’m ready.
Mr. Brooks asks about my current responsibilities, and I talk about both what I do, and why I’m ready to take on more of a challenge. When the opportunity arises, I ask them what they’re looking for in an ideal candidate.
Mr. Brooks starts to speak—and did I mention that their voices are as deep and husky as I often imagine for the heroes in my favorite books?—but Mr. Bennett cuts him off. “Our HR staff have been hiring the wrong people. There’s too much turnover, and it’s costing us money.”
“I see. What are your onboarding and training programs like? Are there any issues there?”
Both CEOs seem at a loss, quickly glancing at each other before Mr. Brooks says, “Those programs aren’t the problem.”
His words are cold as ice, and it’s possible I may have offended him, but it’s so hard to tell. Also, it’s becoming crystal clear that I have a thing for grouchy men. I would have thought that maybe I only liked that type as a fictional character in books, but nope—these frowning men are turning me on more with each narrowing of their eyes.
My next question is delayed a bit because I get distracted by his mouth as he’s talking. What’s wrong with me? Get it together, Ana!
I ask about their staff size and their plans for growth, among other things, and I receive clipped answers in response. I’m pretty sure I’ve blown this interview, and that’s okay, because I’m also convinced that these two men are more responsible for employee turnover than any deficiency in hiring or training. Who would possibly want to deal with their bad attitudes on a daily basis?
Me, scream my hormones, which are apparently holding a rave in my ovaries.
I counter their grumpiness with the kind of pleasantness that usually softens people, but it’s not working with these guys.
They ask a few more questions, and I answer politely, but I’ve already decided that working with them wouldn’t be worth leaving my current job. As impressive as Community Bean looks from the outside, it clearly has problems on the inside, and though addressing those problems could be a fun challenge, my efforts would be futile if the people at the top are the issue.
These men are borderline rude, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re stubborn, too. I’m pretty good at reading people, and they have “set in our ways” written all over their handsome faces.