Write a story about a character running late for a job interview.

Posted in Adventure on May 3, 2024

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✍️ 74 stories

“The Interview” by Jonathan Todd

Submitted to Contest #249

That blessed moment when the morning rush is concluded by the slamming of the front door as the boys head off to school. A quick glance out the bedroom window to see them meeting the friends they walk to the bus stop with, laughing, joking and seeming to be full of the joys of Spring. I was never that happy heading to school of a morning as far as I can remember. Different generation.I breathe in the silence and the stillness of the house. Maggie left earlier than usual to get to her conference so it is just me today. All that movement and v...

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“A long weekend to forget and a day to remember” by Laura Camacho Frias

Submitted to Contest #249

My phone rang once more, and for a moment, I thought he would have changed his opinion, but when I looked at the screen, it was not him, it was Elena, the department's assistant. I picked up, and before I had time to say anything, she started to yell at me:"Where are you? They are waiting, you are late! I sent you like ten messages!"I looked at my phone. There were no messages. Then I remembered: my work phone. Elena kept yelling things I couldn't understand, maybe because she was speaking too fast or perhaps because I had not slept for thir...

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“Un Unlikely Friendship” by Holly Gutwillinger

Submitted to Contest #249

Eve never wanted to be that person who chased after the bus, breathless and disheveled upon arrival. She never like buses. Each morning, when she climbed the first step, an acrid smell pierced her nose, at which point she placed her hand over her stomach and willed her breakfast to stay down. Eve was met with odd glances from the other passengers, and no one ever sat beside her. She persisted in wearing a smile and projected a warm presence, but she couldn’t escape the feeling of being on the outside. Eve made the effort to board the bus wit...

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“Against All Odds” by CK Hau

Submitted to Contest #249

Mo hurriedly put on his wrinkled button-up dress shirt which he buttoned wrongly, and threw on a linty suit. He rubbed some spit in his hair. No time for gel. No time for ironing the shirt and sweeping off the lints off the suit either. He grabbed his backpack, and dashed out the door, with a piece of bread in his mouth and a half-filled coffee cup in his hand. He checked his phone as he scarfed down his bread and downed the coffee. Thirty minutes until his job interview at 10:00. The problem is that the ride from home to the office takes at...

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“Crowd Goes Wild ” by Savannah Wagner

Submitted to Contest #249

*This story uses strong language. Reader discretion is advised*I bolted down the sidewalk in the night of the city. Moon powered street lamps flickered above me. Must be a stormy night I thought. Perfect for choosing the next best band inside the only underground music bar in the galaxy. Hover boards and hover skates jetted past me flashing an array of colorful lights. I was never a fan of hover skates. Too 2080. I flinched at a passing police car wailing its siren. After passing mile high skyscrapers and bustling through...

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“The Burnt Toast Theory” by Audrey Schatz

Submitted to Contest #249

Hey! You rang yesterday. I'm sorry I couldn't answer the phone but I can talk now, is everything okay? No? What's wrong? Did it not go well? Oh. You didn't get the job? Well, how do you know? Because you were late to the job interview. Oh, I'm so sorry, Jen. No, please don't apologize for crying. I completely understand why you're upset. It's a shitty feeling, I know. But please don't be mean to yourself like that. It's a common mistake to sleep through your alarm. Everyone does it at least once a month. I know I do it tons of times! I was l...

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“Mind the gap” by Fox Ferguson

Submitted to Contest #249

[Content note: mental health, suicide, gore] It doesn’t look good, does it? - to be late for the job interview. I had thought of every possible delay in advance and had taken every reasonable measure to guarantee my arrival on time: the night before, I had planned my route across London and packed a bag – Keys, wallet, laptop, I say under my breath like a spell – and had laid out my shirt, suit and tie with the devotion of a priest laying out the altar cloth. I had accounted for delays on the underground and even left myself ten minutes to b...

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“Chances” by Miriam Rhodes

Submitted to Contest #249

I can’t believe it. The first job interview I’ve had in literal months and I’m running late. All because of stupid technology. “I would turn right,” I said aloud to the repetitive monotone female voice emanating from the speakers, “if there was actually a road to turn right on to!” The glassy blue water gave me an apologetic awkward wink in response. This was the fifth time. I’d rerouted the GPS, both on my phone and the car five times already and each new route had been a bust. A lake, a dirt road dead ...

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“Connections” by Jacqui James

Submitted to Contest #249

I pulled the handle on the glass door towards me with the kind of umph that the size of it deserved, but then I nearly headbutted the frame because the damned thing did not budge. Embarrassed, I dare not look around, I just peered through the glass doors like a child in a candy shop window, only to see an abandoned reception and foyer area. I was perplexed and confused and well, a little bit panicky. I glanced at my watch but there was no watch. I looked closer at my wrist trying to focus in on the black dot there. I pushed on the dot with m...

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“Agape ” by N,A,F .

Submitted to Contest #249

Chapter one When the building came into view, it looked like a children's drawing. round windows that weren't lined up, brick walls and foundation that were painted yellow; a roof that had red tiles on them and what looked to be a chimney that was slightly curved to the left. All this was contrasted by the entrance that had a glass automatic door with metal framing around it; making the building look like it was screaming in pain. As Bob walked in the entrance, he couldn't help but compare it to going under a guillotine. He stepped in...

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“Lost” by JW Asbridge

Submitted to Contest #249

“You mean you don’t remember we have plans to go to Cannon Beach with the kids next weekend?” Ben peered at Denise over his coffee, his green eyes like snarled weeds. “No. That can’t be right because I’m scheduled to help Chris move Stacy’s stuff next weekend.” Hail rattled the roof as Denise poured herself a bowl of granola. Lately, Ben had been accusing her of saying and doing all kinds of things she hadn’t. He was losing it. Fifty-years-old wasn’t too young for early-onset Alzheimer’s. Maybe ...

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“Is It Better To Be Late Than Never?” by Haley Hartman

Submitted to Contest #249

BZZZ. BZZZ.BZZZ. BZZZ. “Tom,” Anne mumbles as she elbows my shoulder blade. “Tom, turn your alarm off.” BZZZ. BZZZ.BZZZ. BZZZ.BZZZ. BZZZ. “TOM!” She shouts, jolting me awake. She grumbles something as I reach for my phone that is about to vibrate itself off of the nightstand. I run a hand down my face and notice the time. “Shoot.” I told my daughter that I would try to cuss less. I toss the covers off of my legs and sprint to the bathroom. Today I have an interview at a local university for the Head Librarian position. I shouldn’t get...

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“all in a dream” by Rebecca Maric

Submitted to Contest #249

the air was warm.it was the same feeling she had when she had walked out of the office.sun shining on her,this time she saw Alfred.she sighed,thinking of him made her miss him more .she wished he were here,its been seven years since the incident of his death,since the first meeting up and that incident felt still the same,but different today.the regret of today to gratitude,took five years to get there,.but she was happy now.and was able to get there,and still feeling his warmth of his tender arms and those stupid arguments over the little t...

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“Harley Davidson” by Alex McColm

Submitted to Contest #249

"I got it under control , man ' he mumbled........................ At first , he sensed a warm pink/orange glow and his closed eyelids slowly peeled to reveal the yellow-white ceiling of his bedroom and a vague , but obnoxious, piercing beep-beep-beep to his left. As Colin 'Harley' Davidson casually rubber-stamped the edge of his left fist on the Snooze button , temples throbbing , dry mouthed and pulse trip-hammering from last nights pub exertions , a bolt of panic coursed down his neck. "oh.....wait.....' a worried glance at the clock...

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“I Draw Down the Moon” by Lea Lê

Submitted to Contest #249

You would think with all the prep I did yesterday this would have prevented me being late to a once in a lifetime interview at The Messengers. The Messengers is a well-known and respected business with excellent benefits. A 10% match on the 401(k) plan, opportunities for professional development, flexible-time off, and a huge increase from my current salary: unemployed. Plus, this company will not work you to the bone from what I heard. By the gods I could use that right now... Last night I read up on material that I could be questioned on f...

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Write a story about a character running late for a job interview.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 74 stories

“The Interview” by Jonathan Todd

“A long weekend to forget and a day to remember” by Laura Camacho Frias

“Un Unlikely Friendship” by Holly Gutwillinger

“Against All Odds” by CK Hau

“Crowd Goes Wild ” by Savannah Wagner

“The Burnt Toast Theory” by Audrey Schatz

“Mind the gap” by Fox Ferguson

“Chances” by Miriam Rhodes

“Connections” by Jacqui James

“Agape ” by N,A,F .

“Lost” by JW Asbridge

“Is It Better To Be Late Than Never?” by Haley Hartman

“all in a dream” by Rebecca Maric

“Harley Davidson” by Alex McColm

“I Draw Down the Moon” by Lea Lê

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story around someone (literally) bumping into someone else.

Write a story that begins with someone dancing in a bar.

Write a story about a tennis match between two rivals.

Write a story about a character driving and getting lost.

Contest #249

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

306

Contest entries

114

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: