I now have a new job - well at least I will do, when it starts in January. I am thrilled, excited and a little daunted by the prospect of starting again ! However this organisation is a charity and one with a cause close to my heart, so I am sure I will love it !
The interesting thing about the interview though, was a brilliant question the panel posed.
"If you could be a fictional character - who would you be ?"
Now this stumped me for a few seconds and apparently, equally stumped some of the other candidates too.
You can prepare all you like for an interview - everyone rehearses the usual "What would you say are your strengths/weaknesses?" This however, was a question you could not really rehearse - it HAD to come from the heart and I am so glad I was asked it.
I paused for a few seconds and all sorts of characters came into my head - mostly dominated by Disney characters and even (for goodness sake) Sofia the First - all courtesy of my grandchildren's viewing habits !
However, I gathered my thoughts and then announced that of course - this was actually a fairly easy one to answer.
Since I first read Pride and Prejudice at school, it has been and always will be... my friend (Star Trek reference there) It is the only book that I have read over and over and over again - at least a dozen times - and I really do not tire of it! When I am having a "bad" patch I will often drag it out of my bedside cabinet (the ONLY book in there) and re-read a chapter or 2. OR, if I have the time, I indulge in the whole book. It is such an easy read too - filled with a sense of fun and yet a wonderful, romantic story. I am such a fan, I recently visited Jane Austen's house in Chawton.
I have watched the TV series, more than once and of course the 2005 film (although that did not quite do it justice) but I did buy the DVD and have seen that more than once too.
Elizabeth Bennett is the character I chose. Intelligent, spirited, yet bound by the propriety of the time. Jane Austen's heroine has all the qualities I wish I had - and perhaps strive to have - integrity, a clear analytical mind, observant of social interactions going on around her and yet still, with a great sense humour and of family loyalty.
No, sadly, I do not possess all of these qualities - but am more than happy to wish that I was Elizabeth Bennett - and lets face it - she bags the hero at the end !
But even more so because, it probably helped in clinching the job!
In the interview, 2 of the panel laughed - and agreed with me that both of them had also chosen Elizabeth Bennett, as the fictional character they would most like to be !
What a testament to a great writer !!!
