I’m sitting at my desk on a boring workday and my phone rings. I really can’t be bothered to talk to anyone. But my eyes shoot a quick glance at the number on the screen  and -lo and behold – it starts with a +9714. Dubai.

“Hello?”

“Hello, hi. Is this Mohammad?”

“Speaking”

“This is V from B Recruitment company. I have a client who might have a suitable vacancy for you. It’s in Dubai. Do you mind if I send them your CV?”

“Be my guest” I reply casually.

Well I tried to sound casual, that is.  But in reality, I was trying hard to contain my excitement.  I had been applying to jobs all over for a whole year now, with little or no feedback (except for the occasional “We’re sorry” emails that started off disappointing, then became predictable).

Maybe persistance does pay off afterall.

I told myself that I should chill. After all, she was just asking for my CV. A very standard thing to do. I’m sure she’s asked many others for theirs, right?  Oh well, back to staring at my excel sheets.

Two weeks later…

“All cabin crew please be seated for landing”.

I’m on a plane that’s descending towards Dubai. I’m usually nervous during this part of the flight but not this time. I was too lost in my anticipation of what’s to come. My telephonic interview went well last week. Now I’m scheduled for a final face-to-face interview next morning. Might be a good idea to look at the company’s website and memorize a couple of lines. Note to self.

Fast forward twelve hours. I’m sitting in a spacious meeting room with two HR ladies taking turns grilling me with their questions. I am dressed in my best suit and tie  (the purple one, something about that tie seems to work). I’m feeling centered. I’m communicating articulately. I’m thinking I wish I could communicate the same way with everyone in my life.

I have to say that if there is anything in the world I am good at, it would be handling interviews. I sort of figured out the psychology behind what gets people hired. HR people often make the mistake of hiring people that they like.  They – unconsciously - select someone whom they could see as their “friend” over another a more skilled “jerk” . Emotions play a big role when humans make decisions. And I take that to my advantage.

Manipulative? Maybe. But it’s ok as long as it’s for a good cause: moving my ass to Dubai.

An hour later:

“It was nice talking to you Mohammad, we still have other candidates to interview“.

Sure, I thought, that’s what they always say. In my mind this translates as “we don’t want to look desperate, so we want to give you the impression that we have other candidates to interview”. Fair enough.

“I understand“ was my reply.

“We’re in a hurry. So we’ll get back to you next week”.

I knew they would. Somehow, I can just feel it when I have won at an interview. There’s a positive vibe in the air. Interviewers facial expressions are relieved. They have that “we found our man” look in their eyes.  Their tone of voice is friendly. I shake their hands, thank them for their time, and make an exit.  Now someone tell me where I can find some good coffee around here.

To be continued…