THE INTERVIEW

Tom, a young man of 28,  felt somewhat uncomfortable about  going to  see the Head. He knew his reaction would be unfavourable but there was no other way. He entered the Head`s study. “Mr Allen , I have got an interview for that job I told you about last week.”

          “Already! That was quick.”

          “Yes,” said Tom, “I`m afraid it is on the last day –the 31st of the month. I`m sorry about this.”

          “At what time?” inquired the Head peremptorily.

          “Well, it`s at 3 o`clock.”

          “Three o`clock on the last day!” Mr Allen could hardly contain his exasperation. “What chance have I got of filling a vacancy at that time?”

          “I realise the problem it will cause – if I am appointed, but there is nothing I can do.”

          Have you written back to say you will attend the interview!”

          “Yes,” said Tom, “I have confirmed it.”

“Sit down a minute, Mr White. You  appreciate  that it will mean the school will be without a member of staff  for at least one term? Apart from that I don`t think you are  doing the  right thing for yourself in the long run. You know the Head there is a very dogmatic kind of person and interferes in the running of the school`s departments, especially English. He is very much a martinet, you know. You have heard this?”

          “Well, I have heard something similar.”

          “Not only that , but classes there don`t have their own text books as they have here, but you have to keep going to the stockroom to get them for each lesson. You will find a difference in the calibre of the children too. It will be much harder there.”

          “Yes, I should be sorry to leave this school, but it will be a step-up for me, career-wise and it also means a bit more money….to help pay the bills. “

          “I can see this, but why don`t you hang on a bit longer? You see how Mr Roberts has moved up one since  Mr Green has left. It could be your turn next.”

          “But this is a Head of Department allowance, Mr Allen”

          “Indeed, but that is not everything. You are in a good position here. Mt advice is not to take the post if you are offered it. See what happens within the next year or so  - give yourself a chance. Think of what you still have to contribute here.. Tell the Head or the interview panel that you have thought it over and decided not to accept. Will you do this, Mr White?”

 Naturally Tom was in something of a dilemma; his Head had now really put him on the spot. He was torn between bettering himself and his family and what he perceived as a sense of obligation to his school. For what seemed an age he thought. He felt sure the job was his; what other interpretation was he to put on such timing for an interview. ? On the other hand there was the knowledge that the school would be minus a member of the English staff next term – and he had no desire to make his own Head of Department suffer. Tom felt the pressure his headmaster was putting him under. After all, there was nothing stopping the Head phoning up the other school and throwing a spanner in the works by a less than glowing reference. ….the minute he walked out of the door.. Feeling under duress Tom replied: “All right , I`ll not take the job.”

          The Head was visibly relieved; “Good, I thought you`d see it my way. You are doing the right thing , Mr White.” As he left the Head`s office Tom knew it was appeasement and he felt terrible about it. Surely he should not feel this way; people were about to hand in their notice in a hundred schools all over the country. Why was he so different?  

          Tom discussed the events of the day with his wife after dinner that evening. “So you see the pressure Mr Allen put me under . I didn`t know what to say for the best.”

          “I don`t think you should have promised him that you wouldn`t take it. After all, we could do with the extra money – if you get the job – and it is all right for Mr Allen to talk. He has got a good job.”

          “Well, I might get promotion at school.”

          “Yes, and pigs might fly. You can`r wait for ever . This is your chance now after four years. It is at a nearby school , so we don’t have to move house.; not like some of the jobs you have applied for. And it is a Head of Department post. “

          “Yes, true. But the other thing is that the interview is on the 31st of the month, so there would be no chance of the school filling the vacancy if I left.”

          “What about us and our standard of living? You have done a lot for that school. A- and this is the way they are repaying you!”

 His wife was quite bitter. Tom felt more uncomfortable than ever.

 The day for the interview arrived and Tom alighted from the bus but with no spring in his step. He began to cross the bit of spare ground leading to the school when a figure emerged from the building obviously  bent on  greeting him. “Hello, I am John Swift, the Deputy Head. I presume you are Mr White?” Tom replied in the affirmative.  

          “I thought so – your briefcase gave you away! We`ll go straight to the Head`s office  ; the chairman of governors is with him. Do you know the Head, Mr Evans? “

          “Well, I`ve never met him , actually. “

          By this time they were in the corridor leading to the Head¬s office.

          “Well good luck,” said Swift, and ushered Tom into the study.  

          Tom wondered why there was no-one else around; the set-up was very different from any other interview he had attended. For one thing, where were the other candidates? After all, this was a Departmental Headship! And to be greeted in the way he had been  - almost like a long-lost brother compared with the dispassionate receptions which were the norm….He was used to going into a “waiting room” with several other candidates and remaining there quite some time before being called. This was completely out of the ordinary ; he wondered why. These questions bothered Tom somewhat as he entered the room. Facing him , on his feet already ,  with outstretched hand was a short , tubby man aged about sixty,  whom Tom took to be   the

Headmaster. Seated behind the desk was an elderly man of spare build and intelligent face , who stared at him shrewdly; clearly the Chair of Governors. It was obvious to Tom that bar insulting his interviewers, the post was his. It was a difficult situation for the young man to handle; he was mindful of his promise to his Head, yet an opportunity such as the one before him did not often present itself.

He was soon put at his ease. After the necessary brief introductions, the pleasantries were exchanged and the questioning began. .

“Well, Mr White, why did you apply to this school?” the Head began.

The usual first question Tom thought. The honest answer is always- for more money –but of course he would  not give this – candid though it might  be..

“The school has a good reputation for discipline and high standards on one hand and on the other I believe I have sufficient of the right experience now to qualify me to apply for such a post.”

Tom could tell from the Head`s face that he had said the right thing . But he had to be wary not to make too many of the right noises as somewhere along the line he had to make the Head aware of his lack of interest in the job. He was mindful of his promise to Mr Allen. He waited for the next question.

“So far you have taught mainly A Band pupils; our children will be different. So how will your teaching be different in such a school as ours?”

Tom was expecting this question. He had to be careful over his answers: he did not want to answer so well that he would be offered the job on a plate and at the same time he did not want to answer what might be construed  as a silly or thoughtless manner.. He had to tread the tightrope delicately. .  “It is true that I have taught only, should we say, academic children; I can only hope that my skills will transfer.”  Tom hoped that this was a sufficiently non-committal reply. He believed it was not an insult to his intelligence and to that of his interlocutors, while at the same time not advancing his ostensible cause. However the two people sitting opposite seemed to take the reply in their stride, judging from the next query.

“I`m sure they will,” said the Head with some enthusiasm  - Tom regretfully noticed.  “Have you any views on the role of a Head of English? There are five full-timers and two part-timers in the Department at the moment. There are other members of staff who participate, though their main subject is not English”.

The questions were predictable  - at least so far. Perhaps deliberately so , Tom imagined . He trotted out the standard replies about leadership qualities, Departmental meetings, allocating forms according to appropriate teachers` abilities , book apportioning, etc.. – all the nitty-gritty that fell to the lot of that aspirant, a Head of Department. At this juncture the elderly Governor chimed in , “What about the syllabus, Mr White?” he asked directly. This was the one thing Tom had avoided in his answers – purposely so. He knew that the Head opposite him regarded the English syllabus as virtually his own domain! Perhaps here was his chance.

“Well, the English syllabus is a complex affair as you know.  There is language and literature for a start, with all the set books to organise for each form;  the language syllabus has to be broken down into its component parts such as composition and grammar and what comes under these various headings such as essay writing , parts of speech, and so on. This is indeed one of the major duties of a Head of Department.”

Tom of course  addressed his remarks to the one who had asked the question but in concluding them he looked keenly at the Head for what he felt would be an adverse reaction. Once again Tom was disappointed. There was little reaction; maybe the Governor did not know of his Head`s interference in the English Department and the latter was clearly determined to keep it so.

“Yes, of course, Mr White. I`ll give you what help I can,”

Tom felt any initiative he had was falling away from him. Things were going too well; it was about time he voiced some disquiet;  he had the impression that he was almost being talked into the job. He was aware the job was his for the taking; but his conscience troubled him.

“There is only one  problem, Mr Evans. “ he began tentatively.

“Yes, what is that, Mr White?” responded the Head promptly.

“It has to do with the fact that it is the last day for giving notice.  I am in some difficulty with this. I mean my present school would be without a member of staff – my Head, Mr Allen, was not very pleased  when I told him about the  interview.”

“He tried to dissuade you, I gather.”

“Well, yes, you could say that, “ replied Tom.

The Chair of Governors spoke, “A Head has no right putting you under pressure like that , you know. What did you say?”

Tom thought for a moment. He realised he was open to persuasion. He was now on very difficult ground: on one hand he wanted the job; on the other hand there was his promise to his Headmaster; but had the Head any right to extract such a promise. ?

“I said perhaps the job  would be open for another term , that is, if I should be offered it, of course. I said otherwise I would not take it.”

“Well, Mr White, you would have been wasting our time as well as your own. We are in fact, offering you the post, “said Mr Evans with a quick sideways look at his Governor, who bestowed a clear confidence in his words.

He looked at the less than elated face of Tom.

“You have to keep in mind your own career, Mr White. This will be a promotion for you . You have to think of  yourself also.”

This for Tom was the clinching argument; he was not thinking of himself and indeed of his family enough – and he felt it was all unfair anyway.

“Yes, you are right, Mr Evans. I would like the job.”

Tom had burnt his boats, his bridges – everything with this statement. He was conscious of this fact. But now there was no turning back.

“Good,” responded the Head. “Then you`ll take the post?”

“Yes,” said Tom, “I`ll take it.”

As he uttered these words he was thinking only of himself – his word to Mr Allen was forgotten.

 In the bright sunlight outside, Tom`s misgivings returned. It was idle to pretend he had not some feelings of anxiety. Now he had to go back at this late hour (for a school day) and face his Headmaster with the news that he had not kept his promise. Mr Allen would be very displeased. What a situation to be in!

The journey back seemed much quicker than the journey there. In no time at all Tom was walking up the hill to his school, his mind formulating all manner of things to say.  He entered the secretary`s office to get her to announce his return.

“You can go in now, Mr White.”

Tom felt apprehensive. This was the moment of truth in more ways than one. Tom was still young enough to be browbeaten. His Head was an astute and experienced man; and he would be his headmaster for at least another two months.

Tom entered the study. “Well, said Mr Allen with a forced smile  on his face., “how did you get on?”

Tom realised he could not beat about the bush; he would have to come straight out with it.

“Mr Evans and the  Chair of Governors told me how desperate they were for a Head of Department so I thought I`d better take the job!” said Tom somewhat mendaciously – but he thought he`d better put some gloss on the bare truth.

“So you`ve taken the post?” responded the Head brusquely.

“Yes,” said the young man, I have. I believed under the circumstances it was the best thing to do.” Tom felt he was being forced to apologise.

“I knew you would, “ said Mr Allen with some bitterness. “You told me that you would not take it! What about my school left without a member of staff?”

“Well,” said Tom feeling more and more uncomfortable, “Mr Evans said that I should think of my future and the promotion. “

“Yes, you did that , that`s for sure – you were certainly not considering us here.”

Tom did not know what to say; he had a sense almost of outrage that he was being placed in such an invidious position and yet he felt that in a way, he was letting down his school. 

“I did what I thought was best for my future prospects and for the school without a Department Head., It was difficult,”said Tom as if putting the stress on the past tense of the verb `to be` somewhat mitigated the whole episode. In this hope the young teacher was to be disappointed.  

The reply was immediate: “I shall refuse to accept your resignation unless I have it today.”

The noose was being tightened. It was already late afternoon. It was possible that Mr Allen would leave the school soon, his work for the day over. This would greatly add to Tom`s difficulties for it was bad enough having to compose a letter of resignation in a hurry and at the last minute without the added problem of trying to find its recipient. The thought of this threw Tom into a mild panic. There was nothing else to say.

He got out of the Head`s study as best he might  and went to the staffroom. Of course at that time there was no-body there. Naturally he had no writing paper on which to pen his notice. All he had was an exercise book with lined pages; hardly the right stuff to do a letter of resignation on to give to an already irate Headmaster. Tom tried to tear the sheet out carefully; he had no scissors of course.

 All the while,  he  pondered over the Head`s attitude; yes, it had happened . on the last day but a Head has got to take these events in his stride – one of the things he is paid for. Why was he so “anti” his teacher`s achievement? Generally Heads were  , at least overtly, pleased when a member of their staff gained promotion; in a way it imparted kudos to the school the teacher was about to leave. It seemed to Tom that it was something of an unnatural attitude to adopt and, after all, it had happened within the legal period – albeit at the eleventh hour. But these things happened . So the beleaguered teacher had to write his resignation in a mood which should have been one of some elation but was really one of chagrin and a sense of injustice mixed. It was not without some trepidation that he went again to the Head`s study where to his relief he found Mr Allen still.

“I`ve brought you my resignation, Mr Allen, “ Tom said.

The Head took it in silence but gave the young teacher a withering look.  He read it intently, no doubt looking for some blemish in it so he could reject it. Finding none, “All right , Mr White, “ he said non-committally  Tom realised there was no more to be discussed and left. The reality of his having to live with the Head for the rest of the term bore heavily upon him, as he despondently made his way home. 

Tom knew he would have no-one to turn to. Some of the staff  would congratulate him; others would be indifferent; his own Head of Department he knew would take it in his stride – but they all realised that they would lose free periods due to the absence of a member of staff. Hpwever, the first thing next day would be to tell them all the news and especially Mr Wilson, his Head of Department. Tom arrived at school quite early the next day.

Mr Wilson arrived at school rather later than was his wont that day, and Tom was unable to speak to him before the morning break.

“Well. I believe you have landed the job  - congratulations!”

“Yes, “ replied Tom, “ but I am sorry it`s on the last day.”

“Never mind, these things happen. How did Mr Allen take it?”

“He wasn`t very pleased, as you can imagine; in fact he seemed almost antagonistic to me and, in truth. , I found his whole attitude unduly hostile. This must have happened before , surely?” 

“Yes,” said Mr Wilson, “but not in quite the same way. You see the Headmaster of  your new school , Mr Evans, lost a valued member of his staff – your predecessor  - a few years ago to our Mr Allen in exactly similar circumstances; on the last day. So what has happened is that you have been a pawn in the game. Your new Head clearly deliberately arranged the interview on the last day in order to get his own back! And by using you , he succeeded!”.

© A.B. Finlay Ph.D