One on One Job Interview with a Tiger

by Ginny
(Florida, USA)

My job interview was with the vice president of a large department store chain based in New York City. It was for executive assistant to their Manhattan store.

Although I have an allergy to cat dander and other things like pollen and mold, I neglected to take my allergy medicine that morning because I wanted to keep alert. I didn't think it would matter, as I was heading into a paved city with little or no grass, and then into a department store with no cats.

Apparently that day there was to be an in-store promotion necessitating a tiger cub, which was wheeled into the executive office in a small cage as my interview began. My sense of smell detected it first. Then I turned and saw the tiger cub pacing in a small cage just a few feet from where I sat.

I sneezed, and then I sneezed again, and again and again. There was no way I could stop, as my eyes started to swell, tear and itch. My loud sneezes upset the cat and he began yowling.

I could hardly catch my breath to explain to the interviewer about my allergies and lack of medication. He tried to continue but I could not be professional and businesslike in the midst of my sneezes and the cat's yowling.

After running to the lavatory and popping a few allergy pills, while the tiger cub was wheeled to his promotion, the interview continued. Believe it or not I actually got the job. Perhaps the interviewer felt sorry for me.