Page 19 of The Blind Date

“Goodman and Smiths.”

“That’s literally across the street from our building!”

“Keep your friends close but your enemies closer, right?” He chuckled, amused.

“You can say that again,” I laughed. To think that we had been working in opposite buildings for however many years and never ran into each other. But perhaps, that was a good thing.

“So, what position are you in?”

"I made VP this past January," I grinned, proud. I had worked my butt off since I joined the bank as an Analyst six years ago to make VP before my thirtieth birthday, and now that I had, my ambitions only got bigger. Hopefully, in the not-so-distant future, I would have‘Director’displayed on my Skype card.

“That’s pretty cool.”

"What about you? Let me guess. You’re an investment banker?"

"No," Cedric chuckled and shook his head. "Funnily enough, I work in tech as well."

My eyebrows shot up at that. I didn’t know why I was surprised, perhaps because he hadn’t given it away when he found out I worked in tech.

“What position are you in?” I asked, curious.

“I’m a VP as well. Have been for quite some years, but I've heard more than a few rumours in the grapevine that I've been put forth to be bumped up to Director this coming January.”

“Wow, that’s amazing!”

“I haven’t got the job yet but thank you,” he smiled. “So, how does it feel to be a VP?”

“Not that different from an AVP, to be honest.”

"Yeah, I feel the same every time I get bumped up. It's just a little more responsibility and a flashy new name for your Skype card."

"So, have you got any advice for me as VP? Like, how do I set myself up for the position of Director in a couple of years?" I asked, more eager than I was willing to admit.

Gone was the rude, obnoxious Cedric that I was contemplating leaving mid-date, and here was a rather interesting person I wouldn't mind sticking around to get dessert with if it meant I got to pick his brain.

“For one, these things take time, so it'll probably take more than a couple of years for you to be bumped up to Director. I mean, I've been VP for five years now and only suspect a promotion this year. For all I know, it might not be this year. It might be next year, so that'll take me up to six years."

Six years sounded like a long time, but I knew how quick time flew. It certainly had these past six years that it had taken for me to make VP.

"But if you're looking to set yourself up in that direction, I would say to give yourself more responsibility. If it's not being given to you, go out and take it for yourself. Even if it's something small, take it and keep building on it. The more responsibility you have in your team, the more people will start seeing you as management material."

As much as I hated to admit it, Cedric gave some good advice.

“Thanks. I guess you’re not as insufferable as I initially thought you were.”

“You could have just said thank you and left it at that.” Cedric chuckled. "This probably isn't appropriate, but what does a VP's salary look like at Keaney's? I’d love to compare it to Goodman’s."

If we were from the same bank, I probably would have felt uncomfortable discussing salary with a colleague, but as Cedric was a rival bank, I didn’t have those same worries.

“If I don’t his six figures this coming January, it’ll be next year.”

“What? Your salary isn't in the six figures yet?" He snickered like a child.

And once again, he was back!

“You’re so full of yourself,” I huffed. “You didn’t need to say it like that.”

"You're free to form your own opinion, but I know I’m not full of myself.”

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