89. Too Cute

Mia was 4 feet and 11 inches tall, with big cheeks and a high-pitched voice. Even though she was 22 years old, a lot of people thought she was still in high school. 

People still always called her cute. It was a nice thing to hear, but it came with downsides, too. A lot of times, Mia wasn't taken seriously. She just graduated from university and was doing a lot of interviews for jobs in the engineering field.

When Mia introduced herself in an interview, the interviewer laughed. "Little girl, you know you have to be at least 18 to apply here, right?" the interviewer asked. "I know, I am 22 years old," Mia said. 

The interviewer apologized and continued to ask her questions about her work experience and interest in the job. Mia thought the interview went pretty well.

After a week, Mia didn't hear from the interviewer. She decided to call. She asked if she got hired. The interviewer said she was not. Mia asked why. The interviewer said it was because her co-workers wouldn't take her seriously. 

He also said that the company needed to have employees who looked mature. Mia was upset5 that her appearance was such a big disadvantage to her.

Vocabulary

1. Inches – small units of measurement (12 inches = 1 foot)
   Mia was 4 feet and 11 inches tall.

2. High-pitched – having a voice that sounds very high
   Mia had a high-pitched voice.

3. Appearance – the way someone looks
   Mia’s appearance made people think she was still in high school.

4. Graduated – finished school or university
   Mia just graduated from university.

5. Interview – a meeting where someone applies for a job
   Mia had a job interview for an engineering job.

6. Interviewer – the person who asks questions in an interview
   The interviewer didn’t believe Mia was old enough.

7. Laugh – to make a happy sound with your mouth when something is funny
   The interviewer laughed when he saw Mia.

8. Apply – to ask for a job or opportunity
   The interviewer didn’t think Mia was old enough to apply.

9. Apologize – to say sorry
   The interviewer apologized after learning her age.

10. Experience – knowledge or skill gained by doing something
    Mia had experience in engineering.

11. Interest – something you enjoy or care about
    Mia showed interest in the job during her interview.

12. Call – to make a phone call
    Mia called the office to ask if she was hired.

13. Hired – given a job
    The interviewer told Mia she was not hired.

14. Co-workers – people who work together
    The interviewer said co-workers wouldn’t take Mia seriously.

15. Mature – looking or acting like an adult
    The company wanted people who looked more mature.

16. Disadvantage – something that makes it harder to succeed
    Mia’s young appearance was a disadvantage.

17. Upset – feeling sad or disappointed
    Mia was upset she didn’t get the job.

18. Serious – important and not joking
    People didn’t treat Mia as a serious professional.

19. Cute – pretty or adorable, often like a child
    People called Mia cute because of her small size.

20. Field – area of study or work
    Mia was applying for a job in the engineering field.

Comprehension Questions

1. How tall is Mia?

2. Why do people often think Mia is still in high school?

3. What job field is Mia trying to get into?

4. What did the interviewer say when he first met Mia?

5. How did Mia prove that she was old enough to apply?

6. What reason did the company give for not hiring her?

7. Why did Mia call the company after the interview?

8. How did Mia feel after being rejected?

9. What does the word “disadvantage” mean in this story?

10. What does this story teach about judging people by how they look?