I had a job interview scheduled for today at 10am. The interview was at a location in Washington, DC but the actual job would be located in Ballston, right outside of DC. When I first heard about the position, I was reticent to even proceed with an interview, since I have no interest in commuting twenty miles in terrible traffic twice a day. I decided to go through with it for the sole reason that it was the only interview on my calendar and I’m not in a position to be picky.
So this morning came and I picked up my suit from the dry cleaners (for a price that could have also been used to buy half of a new suit), changed in the bathroom at work, and skipped out to the interview. I drove for nearly an hour, battling terrible traffic, nasty interchanges, and incompetent drivers, the whole time wondering over and over again why I was going through this charade.
By the time I pulled up to the parking garage near the interview spot, I was ready to go home. I drove down the steep entrance and up to the nice parking attendant waiting to take my car, rolled down my window and asked, “How much for two hours?”
“Seventeen dollars, ma’am.” Seventeen. Dollars. No.
“Thank you,” I replied. “Where can I turn around?”
And I did. I drove out of the garage, out of the city, and back to reality. If I resent the job before I even start, it’s probably wise to just pass.
I hear the public transportation over there is pretty good. Might be worth a try!