Don't Be Discouraged!
You have made it through the door. You are wearing your dress or tie. You are clean and presentable. You are smiling the best smile you can make. You are staring into the eyes of a boss.
After application upon application, you have stepped up to the plate. Depending on what job this is, you must know a little about what the job position is. If it requires driving your own car, you know it's out. But if you can take the bus or get rides, then it is possible.
Research
Know something about the job you are interviewing for. Look up descriptions of the job back at the Library online or in books. Have an understanding of what you will be doing if you get the job.
Fudging and Polite Manners
Always be polite in an interview. Be honest to a certain degree. They must not suspect you are homeless. And if they find out and you don't get the job, there will be others, because now you have taken so many steps to get to this first interview. You will learn what the interview process is about.
Be polite, speak when spoken to, ask vague, deep questions. Think in terms of what this job is about. Selling ice cream or clothes? Talk as if you know all about ice cream, sales, or clothes.
Major Question
Most employers ask this question:
Why do you want this job? Or, Why do you want to work for us?
These are the kinds of tricks that employers play. They do not want to know your sob story or want to know you need money and a home. They want to know that you would work your ass off for them.
Think about how you would answer this question.
We believe a flattering and creative answer will astound them.
A: This is an honest and decent job that I respect.
A: I believe this job is a perfect fit for me and for you, because I love to work hard and love the product (hamburger, T-shirt).
Those are just some examples. It all depends on the job and context.
Again, fudging isn't bad right now. The employers play tricks and set traps. You must steer through the crap with a smile and a shiny dress or tie. Don't be afraid to say: "I don't know." Sometimes. But most of the time, keep your answers appropriate and short.
You played poker on the streets. You dealt with cops, guns, cold, distant strangers. The boss who is interviewing you only has the power because you want what he or she has--namely a job. But there are many people who want the same thing as you. Don't be discouraged. You won't always pass an interview.
But once you do, you now have a job.
The Student of Life
Don't forget about the dictionary, library, learning, and being presentable.
Don't forget that knowledge, imagination, creativity, led you to this job and that you can learn most anything when you have the time and set your mind to it.
