Interview

Two days after the parent meeting, I dined with KB and AC - two friends of mine who are laboratory scientists. AC is a father of two; our discussion inevitably fell to schooling and parenting.

"So you are applying for kindergarten ? How about primary school ? Oh, you would be doing a lot of interviews - you know, nowadays they almost always need to interview the parents ..." AC said.

"Quite right. That's expected." I nodded.

"Oh, when did you last have an interview ?" KB added, "You joined the university 10 years ago ?"

"True, but I did not need an interview when I applied for my academic post," I smiled, "You know, AY, the previous lecturer, left for the consultant post, and they could not find anyone to replace. I was summoned during my overseas training in Bristol - actually slightly after the application deadline. In fact I had not completed my specialist training when I joined the department - I sat for the exit examination six months later."

My dinnermates looked amazed, and I went on, "You know, the only job interview I had in my life was for the medical officer, and that was DCA - the chairman at that time. In fact, I did not have to say anything in the so-called interview, and he only murmured two sentences: We are not particularly keen to get you. We have two posts - but you are the only applicant."

AC obviously had enough of my grandiosity and concluded, "Don't worry, you shall pay back and have as many interview as you like in the coming years !"