This takes me back to the time when I was newly arrived to Canada, a shy young woman trying her best to set up home in the country of her choice. Underneath that shyness though, there was a steely determination to venture out into a world that was completely alien when compared to the one she had left behind. And so, we come to the most important question. How did I find my first job? I, who had never worked in my entire life, in the sense that I had never made money off of the education I had received. Like most Indian girls during that time, we received first class education but did not dream of getting a return on investment.

It so happened our neighbour had sort of taken me under her wing. On her way to work she would slip the Scarborough Mirror, published every Wednesday, through the mail slot of our apartment door, probably because she knew how  lonely it can get being by oneself with only a four year old for company. I would pick up the paper, read it from beginning to end then set it aside. Until, one fateful day, my eye fell on an ad for a proof-reader at a publishing company in Toronto. I devoured the ad and with a wildly beating heart started to make a list of reasons why I should get the job – I was fluent in English, had a Bachelor’s in English Lit., highly enthusiastic and absolutely raring to go. Without breathing a word to my husband I phoned the place and got an interview. Next hurdle, how to get to this place. There were three bus transfers involved. Undaunted I set out, dressed in a nice outfit, high heels and a smart purse swinging from my shoulder. The interview was set for 10am and I arrived with plenty of time to spare. I was flying high. However, once the interview was over all that new found energy plummeted to the ground leaving me extremely tired and hardly able to even contemplate taking three buses home.

So what did I do? I phoned for a taxi.

The gentleman who had interviewed me gave me a concerned look and asked if I would be able to make this journey every day if I got the job.

Of course, I assured him, that won’t be a problem.

The taxi arrived and I flopped on the seat with a huge sigh of relief. Having ridden an emotional roller coaster since the night before I was ready to spend the rest of the day, once the interview was over – doing nothing. Yes, that’s how drained I felt.

The same afternoon they rang to say I had got the job. I was thrilled to bits. I had achieved something entirely on my own. The small town in India where I grew up and lived until graduating did not offer any opportunities for young girls other than a good education – we were not supposed to work for a living. So, the first job of my life found in Canada, will always remain a landmark for me.

I have another memory related to a job interview and I would be remiss if I did not mention it here.  I had been looking for a job closer to home. I had never been one of those lucky ones who could boast a mere five minute commute. When the opportunity arrived, well maybe not a five minute commute but definitely a shorter one than the one I had at that time, I immediately put out feelers. The result – an invitation to interview.

The morning of the interview I was up and ready way ahead of time so was completely unprepared when I got hopelessly lost. This was before GPS. I had done a Mapquest, had the directions beside me and was driving following its instructions. So, how did I happen to get lost?

My interview was supposed to start at 9am and it was now almost 8:55.

In a panic I pulled into an office building, rushed up to reception and asked for directions. I was told that I wasn’t very far from my destination. Out I rushed again and running past a man who was just about to enter the same building, I flung myself in the car and started the engine.

The same man hurried over and asked if everything was alright.

I nodded not daring to speak so close was I to tears.

He must have seen the utter panic in my face for he asked again if I was okay. This time I blurted out the truth that I couldn’t figure out the entrance to this place I was supposed to be at for an interview. He pointed it out to me.

That building had been staring at me all this time – I had been too frazzled to recognize it.

Anyway, he then produced his cell phone and insisted I call that office to let them know I had got lost but would be there momentarily.  How fortunate to have met such a wonderful, caring and kind individual. He saved the day for me. I was able to do a great interview with the knowledge that I had made a good impression – for I had been able to communicate to them the reason for my lateness.

I got the job. I like to believe that through the kindness of a complete stranger I had been able to make a good impression, thus tilting the balance slightly in my favour.

Keep Well…..Keep Smiling

 Purabi Das 

Purabi Das of Pickering, emerging writer and poet, gave up her job to concentrate on writing her first novel, and an anthology of short stories and poems some of which have been published on www.commuterlit.com . Purabi was recently featured at Open Mic organized by Writer’s Community of Durham Region where she read an excerpt from her novel.  Check out Purabi on                        www.facebook.com/purabisinhadas.