Chapter 115 - Making a team (1)

When Sarah and Aiden reached their LA apartment, it was close to midnight.

Sarah immediately pulled out of the suitcase equipment she got for Eve and started setting it up. During her trip she already decided where she will place each device.

"Do you need to do this now? Why can't it wait until tomorrow?" Aiden's questions were left unanswered. He watched her climb furniture, immersed in her world and let her to her obsession. He exhaled in frustration. 'Until she is done, she will not stop.'

Aiden realized that there is no point talking to Sarah now, so he ordered food and went to take a shower.

Sarah was not willing to stop working, but Aiden managed to convince her to eat with great difficulty. Of course, as soon as she cleaned up her plate, she went back to work. She didn't stop until she finished. It was after two in the morning. Sarah was tired but satisfied.

"Eve", Sarah called.

"Yes, Master", Eve's voice was heard.

"Welcome to Los Angeles!"

Eve didn't respond.

"Eve, you should say thank you", Sarah reminded her.

"Thank you, Master"

"Eve, make a note to add you logic for exchanging pleasantries."

...

Next morning, Sarah was energetic. She had four candidates lined up through the day for the interviewing to fill up two positions in her team for creating new security layers for White corp.

As the time of interviews approached, she was getting nervous. "What if I don't get it right, and hire a wrong person?", she asked Aiden.

"Don't worry too much about it. Our HR already filtered them based on their background and phone screens. None of people you meet will be incompetent. You now have two tasks, one is to see if they have sufficient proficiency in skills needed to perform tasks you want them to do, and other one is to get a sense of their personality, can you see yourself working with them and how will they fit in the team.", Aiden advised her. "Also, don't feel pressured to hire people right away. Sometimes you will need to interview ten or more candidates until you find the right one. It costs less to reject a good candidate than to accept a wrong one. If it does not feel right, it probably is not."

She listened carefully and nodded in understanding. She was truly thankful to have his guidance though the process. She took online training for interviewing, but it was not enough for her to feel confident. Sarah felt that this is important. Based on questions she asks, and assessment of candidates, they will get a job or not, and if they get it, she will depend on them to perform tasks she created. It all feels like a lot of responsibility, and it made her nervous.

After she completed interviewing all four candidates, Sarah didn't think that three of them are a good match for her, but one stood out. Alexandar has a great background, and impressive skills. He answered all her questions precisely without hesitation, showing knowledge and experience. Sarah decided that he should get an offer, and they will continue screening candidates for a second position.

Sarah has two candidates scheduled to interview for next day, and her Wednesday is free.

...

That evening she talked with Aiden. "I want to take on a project for Wednesday, let's pick one."

"OK. Also, there are three new proposals coming. On Wednesday afternoon Jeff wants us to meet and to discuss if we will accept them or not. He will send us a meeting information tomorrow."

Sarah was happy to hear that finally she will get a chance to have a voice in what projects they will accept. For existing projects, she can't decide since they are already accepted, but Aiden is giving her options to choose from, so she does not feel forced to work on anything she is not comfortable with.

"For Wednesday, I would like you to be my backup while I'm working." Sarah wanted to make sure that Aiden will be available.

Aiden thought for a second before asking, "Are you thinking that Evalina will try something?"

Sarah nodded, happy that he got the hint. "Part of me is hoping she will be impatient enough to make a move."

...

Wednesday arrived, and Sarah still had one vacancy to fill in her team.

Sarah and Aiden talked while walking to work.

"Don't be impatient. The right person will show up. It's just that sometimes you need to wait for some time until you find him.", Aiden was worried that she will rush into hiring someone and end up with unqualified person.

"I want to go back to Fairfield for the weekend, and if I don't find anyone we need to stay longer." Sarah was looking forward to the girl's night out with Vivian that Friday.

"We can still go back. There is always an option to tell HR to schedule all other candidates later in the week. Unless you tell them your availability, they assume that you are available. When we reach office, tell them that you are not available on Friday and Monday. That will work, right?"

Hearing this made Sarah happy. Even if she does not get the position filled, she can still get her girl's night out. She never had such an event where just girls meet and hang out, that is why she is looking forward to it.

"Another thing, I wanted to remind you that you have three team members already here." Aiden was referring to three people who are already working on security in the company and will work with her. "You should meet with them before new members arrive. It will be beneficial in the long run if you get a good understanding of what each of them has to offer. Hopefully you get along well with them. When new members see that they are joining a good functioning team, it will be easier for them to adapt."

Sarah thought about it. "You make a good point... What would I do without you?"

Aiden was happy to help and that she finds his inputs valuable.