"You can do this, Adam," I told myself, even though I had never experienced an interview quite like this one. I took a deep breath and turned to the mirror.

I was considering asking my friend for some sort of calming medicine, but the risk of unknown side effects kept me at bay. I patted my hands with a Kleenex to get rid of the excess perspiration and took another deep breath. I ran a hand through my hair and checked my tie for the seventeenth time.

Reminding myself of the solid two weeks of research and preparation, I steeled myself for the impending questions and answers. I then opened the door and walked calmly to my seat.

She entered the room not ten seconds after me. She was a stunning, natural beauty, and today she was dressed quite professionally - one might even say severely so. I had read about her background a bit, and knew that she was a go-getter and a management professional who is extremely detail-oriented and always prepared. This interview would test that last part.

During the scant seconds between her entering the room and arriving at the opposite side of the desk, I noticed just how put-together she was: Her chestnut hair was drawn back in a tight ponytail, her bright face and large, blue eyes were stoic, only hinting at the possibility of a smile, and her crisp, navy blue business suit gave an amazing air of confidence.

My palms started to sweat again. Dammit!

I quickly wiped my right hand on my pant leg and got up. Our handshake was firm and dry, but not overbearing. "Okay, good...now let's get on with it," I thought.

We each sat down and consulted our respective notes. We were both organized, and I saw this as a good sign, which helped me relax and enter into normal conversation with her. I was able to call her by her first name, Tiffany (at her request), and we both relaxed a bit.

Questions were asked and answers were given, and generally we got along fine. I was only slightly dismayed by her guarded demeanor, but I had always read that most people held themselves back at job interviews. You would not see the full personality of your interviewer or interviewee except outside of an interview, and such was the drawback of wanting to present yourself professionally. Perhaps. I wasn't fully on board with that concept, and politely allowed my own personality to shine through - hopefully without the quirky humor.

I had attended another interview years ago, where my comment, which I thought was funny and harmless at the time, made the other person stop talking and just look at me. I had immediately and tactfully apologized, but those uncomfortable three seconds accurately foretold of a failed interview.

All too soon, this interview was over and we amicably parted with the promise of results arriving tomorrow. The rest of the day's interviews were fine, but I was not as impressed as I was with Tiffany. She knew her stuff, she was familiar and with our company, and she had some cutting edge ideas for the position. The past two weeks suddenly became crystal clear and I knew I had found my new Vice President. I asked my chief administrator to send out the appropriate communications, including the congratulatory phone call.

You usually don't hear about how the interviewers get nervous, too. But certain situations, like interviewing for your future vice president, call take a real toll!

As for my supposed attraction to TiffanyI can easily ignore it. Business comes first, and I'm not about to risk anything over an imaginary relationship, especially in the workplace.

But I do need another packet of Kleenex.

Learn more about this author, Len Morse.
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