Interview

"Tell me something about yourself."

The question hangs in the air like a veil of heavy mist. Tell me something about yourself, the most redundant question of all time. Also the most basic but honestly the hardest one. Who am I really? Besides the information provided in the two paged resume, what are the things that make me, me? Do people truly know themselves, in and out? I highly doubt it. The question should be replaced for the matter; what makes you, you?  

"Mr. Tuazon, do I have to repeat the question? Are you with us? Tell me something about yourself."

Mr. Tuazon, that is me, right. I recall all the information I practiced the week before, "Sorry, yes, I am here. So, I'm Andrew Tuazon. You can call me Drew, I'm twenty-one freshly out of college. And I'm currently seeking a job that would fit my skills..." The words slip out of my tongue effortlessly. I couldn't count with my fingers the times I've said the same line. How many interviews, I have been to.

"Is that all, anything else you want to add?"

My right eye twitches for a few seconds. I haven't noticed that I had finished talking. Half of my brain was out of focus thinking how absurd it was. The whole point of an interview. You wouldn't know someone just by asking few questions. The character of a person cannot be seen by words but by actions.

But because I am living in this era, I had no choice.

I clasp both of my hands and straighten my back. "No. That's all," I answer with a smile, telling her how confident I am of myself.

"Okay," the interviewer answers ticking a mark on my resume. "Now, how would you handle stress?"

I internally groan, these kinds of generic questions were the most boring question of all. They were asked in every interview. Anyone can Google and see the best answer to give, yet they keep asking it. Yet I wouldn't dare them to ask me about my experiences. I don't know anything about the world yet. I am a seedling only about to sprout.

"Wait for our call, we will contact you if you're going to proceed to the next interview."

I still smile though I know the meaning of those lines.

"Okay. I will wait for the call." I stand and offer my hand to shake. I walk outside and inhale the scent of freedom. Tomorrow, I will have another interview. A stranger I have never met before will decide my fate. It doesn't sound fair to me, but who am I to decide about such things?

Author's Notes: Have you ever experienced such things too? Have you ever thought that way too?