The Interview_(2)

Five p.m. sharp….”I’m right on time” Helga thought as she entered the exterior door and walked into the foyer of the plush new medical offices. “Hello, I’m Dr. Bell and you must be . . . Helga?”

Helga jumped a little as the doctor approached her from a side office. “Yes” Helga answered. Helga was quite impressed with the latest state-of-the-art equipment she passed as she was escorted to his private office. He gestured to a chair and she sat down across from him.

The doctor took a few moments to review her application. Although dated from a few years ago, the Doc saw that she had successfully graduated from a fully accredited Illinois State Dental Assistant School and worked for two respected dentists in Chicago. He noticed she was married, gold ring on her finger. That is very good, he thought. He certainly preferred married women as they were more stable in their work habits and had a greater sense of responsibility. As for the mother part . . . he wondered if she would be dashing home every few days when her child had a cold or a bruised knee from the school playground …..

“So you have you seems to have quite a lot of experience as a Dental Assistant?” Doc asked, taking in her appearance head to toe. He appraised her black suit and white blouse and quite liked the way she sat with her legs crossed. Perhaps because she was sitting, her skirt seemed just a little short…”Yes that is correct” Helga wondered if it was a slight on her age and looked down in embarrassment.

“Well…. you understand that my previous dental assistant had to resign her position very suddenly last week in order to attend to her sick father in Chicago. It was a great loss to our office. Now there is a slight possibility that she may return to her position in a month or so, but I seriously doubt it. Her father is quite ill and will need long term care. I do not expect her to return” Helga nodded gravely and nervously crossed and re-crossed her legs.

Doc tried to break the tension. He smiled, “So you can see I am in need of an experienced assistant who can hit the dental office running, so to speak”. Helga could not help but smile and his demeanor made her feel much more comfortable. Helga had heard about the Doctor’s assistant leaving suddenly from one of her girlfriends who also happened to be one of the doctor’s patients. Needing to work closer to home she had quickly gone to his office to apply for the position. Her timing was perfect as the Doctor had just finished with his last patient of the day.

Unfortunately Helga had left her best royal blue suit at the cleaners only the day before and felt a little uncomfortable for the job interview because the black suit skirt she was wearing seemed much shorter than she had remembered. It made her feel a little awkward (and more nervous!) But this was the only other dark “professional” outfit she had and she wanted to make a good first impression. She knew that a black suit looked good with her black stockings and high heels and that her white blouse looked crisp and made her reddish brown hair stand out.

The Dentist, Dr. Bell, tried to be subtle in scrutinizing her looks. Her application had her age as being fifty-one, a married mother living just a few streets away from his dental office. He was quite taken by her appearance. In spite of her stated age he felt sure she must have quite a body under that business suit. He noticed her black high heels and thought her legs looked pretty good. At least from the way they looked crossed in front of him and when he was able to catch a glimpse as she was walking into the office. Damn, he should have placed the interview chair in a better position that would have afforded him a better view of her! He thought he had organized the office perfectly.

Helga listened as he explained about the job and what was expected of her. He went on for ten to fifteen minutes concentrating on patient relations and how their main focus was that their patients were relaxed and comfortable with their dental experience. The Doc went on to explain why he had chosen to utilize nitrous oxide with the majority of his patients. Are you familiar with its use?” he asked.

Although familiar with the technology, Helga was concerned that her experience did not include any practical use of nitrous oxide. She knew she had to be honest. “Well the last two dentists I worked for used only a local anesthesia and not nitrous oxide” Helga answered without reservation. “But I have taken an introductory course at the local college along with my continuing courses on preventative dental hygiene”.

The Doctor nodded thoughtfully and sat tapping his pencil on her job application. He suddenly got to his feet. “Here, come with me, Helga, and let me show you around the office.” Dr. Bell got up and led Helga out his office door to the hallway and down through the patient rooms. Does this mean I have the job Helga wondered to herself?

Dr. Bell wasn’t quite ready to hire this woman although she seemed the most qualified of the applicants he had so far.