The Group Interview

As some of you know, I was told a few months ago that I may not have a job in the fall. However, they would not be able to tell me if I did until a few weeks before the school years started. This prompted me to apply to return to the University in order to complete my degree. Though I have enough financial aid to cover my expenses for the year, the prospect of existing on student loans is nerve-wracking to me. Therefore I have begun seeking out a part time job.

Today, I went to my first-ever group interview at Gymboree Play and Music (which after the interview I am even more hopeful, for it sounds like so much fun!) The environment of the group interview really gave me insight into American society. The entire group consisted of fifteen-twenty women, which did not surprise me. About half were dressed appropriately for an interview, of these half were dressed appropriately for an interactive interview. Only three of us brought socks (which were required) the rest had to wear "loaner socks." A quarter of the women were dressed slightly inappropriately for an interview (by my standards); for example one wore a tank top with a pretty skirt, and another wore khakis and a low-cut blouse. The remaining few were completely inappropriate!

A prime example of what I mean by completely inappropriate, was the girl who looked as if she was headed to Ybor City. She wore a hot pink halter shirt (I guess that's what it would be called, but it was not a traditional halter) with metal straps. Her bra was black; I know this because parts of the shirt were see through. She wore a tight, white skirt, that she ended up splitting down the back during the interview. Her eyeshadow matched her shirt perfectly, and her thick snow white eyliner went with her skirt and the large, glittery flower in her hair. Her lime green tongue ring did not match so well!

The interview was fun; we did the hokey-pokey, played charades, and role played different job scenarios. Towards the end, we were all asked to sing a kids song. We got to pick our song, and volunteered when to go (I went second- Yay, Me!) The job posting stated we must feel comfortable singing. Now, I know I will never, ever get a major recording contract, yet I can totally rock "Mr. Sun." There were people who refusd to sing a song! Seriously, why bother coming to an interview, where you KNOW you must sing and then not sing? They were asking for opera; they wanted "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" or the "ABCs." They didn't care if everyone sang the same song even!

There was one girl there, who I am hesitant to bring up, for the more I think about it, the more I suspect she was like one of "my students." Her clothes were shabby and very casual, her hair was messy, and her lipstick was a garish vermilion. She repeatedly put her shoes on, after they told us to wear "socks only, " and her cell phone rang repeatedly. In the group discussion, she suggested bribing the kids with candy! When they asked us to not sing along, she did, and then chastised a woman for singing the song with a different ending than she was used to. However, "my students" all learn employability skills before they graduate, and I would hope that they would at least groom a little better before hand.

Hopefully I made a good impression and will be called back for an individual interview!