Maria arrived at the office building twenty minutes early, but her hands were shaking. She sat in the waiting area, checking her phone repeatedly even though she had already reviewed her CV five times that morning. The receptionist smiled at her kindly, which didn't help—it only made Maria more anxious.
At 2:00 p.m. exactly, a woman in a dark suit called her name. Maria's heart was pounding as she stood up and walked towards the interview room. She took a deep breath before entering. The panel of three interviewers sat behind a long table, looking serious. They asked her about her experience, her strengths, and why she wanted the job. Although Maria had prepared answers, she spoke too quickly at first. However, as the questions continued, she gradually felt more confident. By the end, she was even smiling.
When it was over, Maria wasn't sure if she had done well enough. The lead interviewer shook her hand and said they would contact her within a week. As she left the building, Maria realized that despite her initial fear, she had actually managed to answer most questions clearly.