Nicolas
The candidate then looked at me with a different sparkle in her eyes. Despite that, I felt very comfortable with her and liked her demeanor.
"I wish you success, Helen! We will contact you with feedback on the results," I said as a farewell, and she quickly understood that it was her cue to leave the room.
One more point for her.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Nicolas. Have a good day," she said, leaving the room with a nod of her head.
"I liked this young woman, but there's still one more for the interview. Are you going to participate?" Esmeralda asked me, turning to sit in her chair behind the desk.
I thought carefully about what I was going to say and decided it would be the best course of action.
"Esmeralda, what do you think of the candidates you've already interviewed today?"
"As I told you, there's still one left. I'd like to make a definitive assessment only after talking to all of them," she said thoughtfully.
She had been the Human Resources manager of the company for several years. Even before my brother and I became part of the staff, I trusted her judgment. She always made the right choices.
"But I sense there's something more behind your question. Tell me, what's the issue?" she inquired.
"I've decided not to take a stance on the choice of my secretary. I just ask that you choose two names, not just one, as would be correct in this case."
"But why two names?" she asked, intrigued.
"As you know, my brother will soon need an assistant as well."
"I'm aware of that fact, but we had decided to conduct a new hiring process because we were going to choose someone from the finance department specifically."
"It won't be necessary. Let's choose both people now because I heard that Luciana's mother wants to move as soon as possible. And as you know, it's ideal for Luciana to train this new employee to assist Henrique."
Luciana was Henrique's secretary, my younger brother, and the financial director of Alcântara Construction. She had resigned from the company because her mother was moving to another state for family reasons, and Luciana had decided to go with her. For Luciana's role, we had relocated another employee from the company, but Henrique had decided that he also needed an assistant to help him with the responsibilities of being the financial director of a construction company with many businesses and investments.
"I have to agree with you on this point. Let's do it as you wish. But only if I conclude that there are indeed two options with the requirements for the roles they would be assigned in the event of hiring."
"That's fine," I said and was about to leave when I remembered another important point and returned to her. "Don't forget to first present me with the resumes of the two selected candidates. I will decide which one will be my secretary and which one will be Henrique's new assistant."
This way, I could analyze more carefully and at ease what I felt for the young woman, and perhaps if we did develop some kind of involvement, her being my brother's assistant wouldn't be an obstacle for us, just as it would if she were to be my secretary.
Laila
I was practically sprinting along the sidewalks of Avenida Paulista in São Paulo, walking so fast due to my urgency. To be honest, I would have been running if it weren't for the heels that prevented me from doing so. I was almost late for a crucial interview. I couldn't afford to miss this opportunity at all.
I could hardly believe it when they called me to participate in this interview. I had recently graduated in administration and had sent out numerous resumes in the past months. This was the first time I had gone so far in the job application process. I had gone through several stages before reaching today's interview.
As I was entering the doors of the Alcântara Construction building, a large and internationally renowned company, I bumped into another person who was also rushing in, just like me.
I quickly looked at the young woman I had collided with and immediately assumed that she was also going for the same job interview as me, as she had a folder in her hands, and it was evident that she was anxious.
"Sorry!"
"Sorry!" we both said at the same time. We smiled at each other, and I instantly liked her.
"I was in a hurry and didn't notice that you were approaching too," I justified. "I'm going to talk to the receptionist because I'm participating in an interview at 10:00 a.m."
I glanced at my wristwatch, seeing that it was nine-fifty, meaning I wasn't late after all, and I sighed in relief.
"What's your name?"
"I'm Helen, and I'm also going for an interview. But I guess you already figured that out, right?" she said, smiling. "Let's find the reception and then see if it's for the same position."
I was very happy to have been selected for the interview, and the fact that I bumped into a potential competitor, as friendly as she was, didn't discourage me. I already imagined that there would be other people competing for the position of secretary for the legal director of such a prestigious construction company like Alcântara. Being part of the company's staff would be a dream come true.
We went together, and when we talked to the receptionist, we realized that it was indeed for the same position. No surprise there. We were directed to the twentieth floor of the building after receiving visitor badges and were greeted by a very elegant and polite lady who introduced herself as Esmeralda, the manager of the Human Resources department.
In addition to Helen and me, there were two more candidates, and since they arrived before us, they were also the first to be called. Helen and I chatted and got to know each other better. I liked her a lot, and we took the opportunity to exchange phone numbers. The room where I was seemed to be the reception for that floor and was impressive, a place entirely decorated in white and chrome. From the walls to the furniture, everything was tastefully done. I didn't know anything about decoration, but I felt very comfortable in the environment. I could see a long corridor and several doors, which I didn't know the purpose of.
Helen was the next to be called by Esmeralda, and I was left alone in the waiting room. I decided to check my phone, taking the opportunity to look up a few more tips on how to behave correctly in an interview. When I heard the sound of the elevator stopping on the floor, I didn't immediately lift my head. It wasn't until the elevator doors opened that I quickly raised my head, curious to see if there was someone else for the interview. What I saw in front of me was a wonderful man stepping out of the elevator and looking at me in a way that left me completely speechless.
He was quite tall, white, with black eyes and hair. His lips were thin, just the way I liked, and despite having a large body, in terms of physique, he wasn't one of those entirely muscular guys often achieved through hours in a gym, and I found him perfect.