A First Time Interview

As some of you may know, yesterday I faced my first formal job interview ever. I've spent my life doing community service work for the church, the school, and when I was in Girl Scouts I did that too. Community service has always been a big part of my life, and I never really thought of it as work, so I was happy doing it. It made me feel good to know that I was making someone's life a little better, at least. Or making the other volunteers' jobs easier. I remember one year in Girl Scouts when I managed to raise US$200.00 in my neighborhood and through my mother's co-workers at Xerox. And it's amazing to think that just a few months ago the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester recognized me with the Hands of Christ Award for my work at Saint Paul's Roman Catholic Church in Webster, NY. Anyways, I digress, I hadn't had any interview experience since the little practice application/interview my peers and I did when we were in Martha Brown Middle School here in Fairport, NY. So, naturally, I was a bundle of nerves yesterday, but I believe that the interview went well over-all.

Upon arriving at the restaurant (promptly, at 3:59PM - my interview was to be at 4:00PM) I found that the managers and staff were in the middle of a meeting. I was seated on the far wall of the restaurant, and within five minutes a manager had come out to speak with me. He was slightly short for a male - about my height of 5'5" - and was a nice caramel-milk chocolate color. Bald, he had deep, dark chocolate eyes, and he was friendly as he greeted me and shook my hand. He was wearing the normal maroon shirt that all the Friendly's managers wear, and black slacks. His name started with a "J", but it wasn't your average name, so I didn't quite remember it. I think it was "Jayola" or something of that sort. Whatever it was, it was original, and I liked it.

I chose to wear my nice black, flowy pants, a red tank top with flowery-lacey patterns at the top and on the straps, and the matching filmy black 3/4 body length jacket that came with the pants. I was wearing my brown leather sandals, but he didn't see them. They were the nicest casual option of footwear I had.

The interview itself didn't take more than ten minutes, and for the most part, it was simply a conversation like any other. He mentioned my community service, checked about my final exam I have to work around (Politics - no exemptions), and asked whether I could retain information and learn quickly enough. Being a writer-in-training I said the required "Yes" because I generally am able to remember details when I absolutely have to. He remembered seeing me in the restaurant with my family often, so he knew I'd know the different meals fairly well, which was another decent aspect of the interview.

After conversing for a little while, he went over the dress code with me: ice cream colored polo, black slacks, non-slip shoes; and asked if I'd be able to acquire non-slip shoes by my first shift. I own a pair of black leather sneakers, so that obviously wasn't a problem for me. He [i]did[/i] mention that only one stud/ear is allowed, and said I'd have to take my hoop out of my cartilage when I came to work. My only concern with this is that the piercing is only a few months old, and while it'll be past the mentioned 12 week period by the time I go in, I'm supposed to have an earring in the hole at all times for a year, and my piercings heal quickly. I will likely speak to the Regional Manager about only wearing one post and having it in the cartilage, because my other two piercings (lobes) won't heal all that quickly.

Closing off with the statement that when things were slow I'd have to make myself busy with cleaning and other forms of work when business was slow, my interviewer replied excstatically when after he said I could rest when everything possible was taken care of and I had said "If that happens, I'll start cleaning again" in response, and his response was, simply "That's the best answer I've had all day!"

I was confident in my conversation with him, and because of the laid back atmosphere it was easy to let myself relax. I smiled, I made eye contact, and he scheduled a follow-up interview with the Regional Manager for Friday at 3:00PM, so I'm assuming that I did a decent job. Elise, the friend of the family who was kind enough to drive me there, said I've gotten the job and that they simply need to follow procedure now. I hope she's right.

Another answer he liked of mine was that when he asked if I could be transported, I said that if I couldn't be driven there I'd walk or ride my bike, which he said was an "excellent answer". He also stated that too many people aren't willing to walk to work. But, hey, I'm getting ready for university next year - I need the money.

Overall, as I said, I believe the interview went well, and as a treat Elise bought Keith (a friend staying at my house), Erin (my sister), Kaitlin (Elise's daughter/Erin's best friend), herself, and me ice cream. We were back at the house by 5:30PM, which was nice, and Elise wished me luck. She's also offered to help me out if and when I ever need it. She's a really nice woman, and she and I were able to discuss organized religion and politics while snacking yesterday.

Besides my interview experience, I don't have much to say except to encourage first-time interviewees to just relax and be themselves. My personality my just get me this job as a hostess/fountain worker, which would be absolutely lovely.

Thanks to all of you who offered me support on my endeavors!
-Emily-