Close, but no cigar

I got a phone call yesterday from a lady that was responsible for the hiring process for Yara International. I had applied for a position there as an Executive Assistant maybe two weeks ago. Yara, and I quote from their website, is "the world’s leading chemical company that converts energy, natural minerals and nitrogen from the air into essential products for farmers and industrial customers." Sounds pretty legit, right?

Well, don't get too excited--I didn't get the job. However, I see this experience as a very positive one. First and foremost, I survived a professional phone call in Norwegian--a feat that I do not take too lightly. Also, it seemed like the woman was genuinely interested in me and my skills, as they came across on paper in Norwegian. This is a bit of a relief to me, as it has been very easy to suspect of late that I just am not going to get anywhere with this job search på norsk.

And I actually think she would have hired me (or that I would have had a good chance) IF I had had plans to move to Oslo. Her client (who happens to be an American who doesn't speak Norwegian!) sometimes needs someone on a short notice. She explained that if they were to call me in early that even if I left right away I still wouldn't make it to their office for realistically an hour and 45 minutes. Apparently they need someone that lives closer. I am not really sure why this position would need to be "on call" in that way, but I guess they know what they are doing. And I am not sure if she was just being nice, but she also said that they would be sure to contact me if there was a position available somewhere closer to me.

Exciting on some levels, devastating on others. I think that job could have very well been a ticket to a work permit...but I guess that is a bit unfair to say since no one really knows what UDI has up their sleeves.

I suppose the good news is that I have applied to many similar positions and if this company thought I was worth a phone call, then hopefully others will as well.