Locked in the Bathroom Pre-Job Interview

As promised, here’s another long-awaited interview adventure. Before a job interview, it’s a good practice to arrive early early for last minute prep. Ideally, you can find your interview site, attend to last minute details, and go to the bathroom. But what if you get locked in the bathroom before the interview?

Okay, the last part may be a Cortney-rule, but whatever. Clean hands are important!

Arriving on Campus

For this interview, I’d already been on the campus for another interview and had a semi-helpful understanding of its layout.

The building hosting my interview was basically a twin of OSU’s towers of power where I’d lived freshman year. [Ahh… Feels like home.]

After asking a janitor, the only present person in the mezzanine, for the nearest restroom, I went to the nearly hidden nook he indicated. [Aha! This is like Kerr-Drummond.] 

Things were going swell.

The interview was for a promising position.

The campus was pretty.

I was right on schedule. I “knew” this building even if I’d never been there. And I found the bathroom. The day was bright with possibility.

Unfortunately, the bathroom wasn’t.

Enter: The Dark Bathroom

After groping the wall for a useless light-switch, I braved the dark for my task.

I’ve navigated questionable campground bathrooms at night before.

A tiny bathroom in a residence hall? Psh… I know how to wash my hands in the dark, thank you very much!

After freshening up, I confidently grasped the doorknob and pushed the door.

It wouldn’t budge.

Frown. Let’s try that again.

Nothing happens.

Hm. Let’s think about this. The bathroom is tucked out of earshot for the occasional janitor to hear me. I ought to be in the interviewing lobby in two minutes. Somehow I got in here, how can I get out?

What do I tell my interviewers if I come in late?

I’m sorry, but I was trapped in the bathroom” or “I’m sorry, but I just learned how to open the door. Of course, that doesn’t mean I’m any less capable of dealing with complex student issues and computer programs…” 

No matter what happened, there would be giggling because this is faintly ridiculous.

What tools do I have? Cell phone, box cutter, keys, key light… Bingo.

Higher Ed Swag to the Rescue, No Longer Locked in the Bathroom!

Then I realized it: the door needed to be pulled, not pushed!

Hm. Who knew that understanding basic mechanics could be so useful? Any five-year-old could have figured this out… without the help of a flashlight.

A proper pull & I got to the lobby with everything intact, down to the toilet paper on my heel. (Just kidding.)

Another unexpected jobbing dilemma done. Check. 

I had a niggling feeling that this wouldn’t be the last time something went awry.

I was right. And… that story will wait for another time.