Arathi walked into the busy office of Net communications Private Limited which provides cable connections, broadband services and which owns a local TV channel. She was supposed to meet the manager of broadband services for an interview. The friend told her that there is a vacancy for a post "Telemarketing and Customer Relations Executive". The salary was not so bad for a girl of nineteen.
She stopped at a corner where it was written " Manager". A man with a thick black beard sat there and he raised his eyes to see a confused girl standing in front of him.
"Um?" He asked. She handed over her resume while her friend came running into the room saying,"Sorry Sir, this is for the other section." He gave it back with a not so pleasant smile.
"Ummm" He said again!
"So where is this other section?" she was surprised.
"There, that is the person you have to meet. I think the lights are gone again. You know, power cuts!" The friend murmured.
Then she could see a small cubicle where there was no ventilation and a group of four or five people standing and sitting with some paper fans, unanswered phones, and there was no electricity. As soon as she got into the manager's cabin, the lights came on and she could see another man with inserted shirts and square glasses sitting there.
"Good morning"
"Good morning, You came in with lights! Sit down" He said in a very pleasant tone.
She smiled as she found her chair which was bit shaking.
"Myself Anand. I am the Sales manager of this department called Net data Line. Can I have your resume?" He was trying to ease the situation.
As she handed over he began to peep into it with a good deal of concentration.
"Oh, so you are fresher, waiting for degree results. But you are too good in arts. why don't try with our channel?"
"Amith said there is no vacancy and I am interested in doing something new". She was not so confident at heart about the reason for being here.
"Now tell me about yourself."
This is a stupid question she thought. After reading such a detailed resume, why should one explain it again. Anyways Ms. Arathi Nair you are here for an interview! She blabbered all she knew about herself and finally sighed, "that's all Sir".
He was simply gazing at her as if she is someone called alien!
"Sir".
"Oh yes, I was listening to you. Just one question, why do you need this job?"
"I need to live on my own. I always dream of having a job and earning my own salary."
"I hope you know about the job here."
"No, I don't, but I can do it if you let me know what it is" She said with a smile.
The manager couldn't stop laughing for a while.
"Wait here. I will give you the copy of appointment letter. You need to meet the BD manager too. But don't say that you don't know the job!"
Arathi was surprised at the last tip from the manager. "Then what am I supposed to do? Smile and say Yes Madam/Sir, I know the profile. Between who is this BD manager. They said its a broadband company and how can they have beedi managers? Was it a nick name?"
While she was wondering on the name, the manager called her and led to a room where it was written"BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (BD MANAGER)." So its Business Development and not BEEDI!. She smiled as he smiled back.
" I am Shekhar, BD manager." Arathi somehow managed to slip her giggle into the mouth.
"I hope you know about the profile", he said in a ruling tone.
"Y...es" she said after a thought.
"Is there any confusion?", he looked at her face and smiled.
"Not much, but I would like to know more on the profile".
"You have to canvas new clients, attend customer complaints and hand over it to the customer care section and almost all data entries into the computer. You will be reporting to Anand. Come, i will introduce you to the team."
He got up and walked into the cubicle where the only familiar face was Anand.
"This is Nisha, the accountant, Rejoy the customer services manager, Vinesh and Meera the customer service associates, and all, this is Arathi, our new executive. " Turning towards her he said,"For any clarification you can come to me and Anand." She nodded her head and smiled at the two ladies.
"So welcome to our company. You must join with all the papers on 19th April. Here is your letter." He handed over the letter to her.
She wanted to jump upside down and roar aloud "I have a job now".But she stood happy and smiled.
"Arathi", he called as she walked out of the room, "You are a smart girl".
"Thank you", she walked out with a smile of pride.
The moment she stepped out of the office, lights again went off and loud sighs were heard behind. She walked out of the complex to begin her new role on the day of joining, the 19th of April.
To be continued......
