Thursday 27th July 2023
An interesting day. It was interview day so I made my way over to the city by bus over the magnificent bridges that traverse the firth of Fourth. The rain pelted down to obscure my view of the rail Bridge that I'd come in on to Dalgety Bay to stay with my cousin. By the time I alighted the bus the rain had stopped and my extra layers of clothing added to the sudden humidity in the air.
Edinburgh is a vibrant, fascinating place and is a big draw card for tourists from all over the world. I was smiling as I walked along Princes st wearing my tartan trousers, old style apron and tartan scarf. After a peppermint tea at Costa I made my way down to the Johnnie Walker whisky experience center for my interview. The shop is modern and shiny with very friendly assistants. I was shown a seat to wait for my interviewer and I had a while to absorb the energy. It felt like it lacked something and then I realised it was soul. In an attempt to bling, the soul escaped, well that's how I felt it. I wondered if I'd have the guts to give this opinion should I be asked. Turns out, I did.
A young smart man came to collect me and the polite stifled chit chat in the elevator could have made me nervous, but I felt curious and amused. I wondered how many candidates did they see in person and what was it in my application that made them contact me. I still have very little recollection of my application for this job. After the two interviewer introductions they asked for mine.
I pulled up my tartan scarf around my head and started
'Well, the last time I was here was 200 years ago and my name was Elizabeth Purves....'
I watched both faces question as I explained my life as Mrs Johnnie Walker and compliment them on what they have done with the brand. I then lowered my scarf and explained a little about how my skits had happened and how it got me exploring my Scottish roots.
After some nice compliments, the formal interview questions started. I dislike formal. It says very little, other than showing someone's prowess at using big words. It often feels like corporate polish. I answered to the best of my formal corporate experience (which isn't much, haha) and the longer I sat in the interview, I felt like it wouldn't really be a good fit. Chasing time, targets and sticking to a script sounds a little restricted for me but I was honest and interesting and said I could start anytime, when asked should I be successful in this interview.
I walked away feeling chuffed with myself that I was a shaking nervous wreck and that I genuinely did enjoy the process. I debriefed myself in the magical bookstore Waterstones, with a scone and coffee and sat smiling to myself about all these interesting detours.
My lovely cousin took me to North Queensferry to see the stunning rail Bridge up close. It's breathtaking. Such fantastic engineering from 1882, I'm just in awe.
We had a fish supper at my uncle and then took a gorgeous walk along the small bay to admire the setting sun. A long talk over a short visit and it's only just begun.
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