Word of the Day

And, the word of the day is:  Interview
   (A formal consultation usually to evaluate
   qualifications--as a prospective student or
   employee.)

I have had many interviews over my lifetime.
Interviews with my parents, teachers, bishops,
stake presidents and potential employees.  Many
consultations I remember and many I don't.

But there is one that stands out in my mind which
took place when I was about 14 or 15  years old.
I was seeking a job as a dishwasher at the
Homestead, a resort in my hometown.  Because
I was under age I could only obtain menial
positions, work limited hours and must have a
work permit.

I had known the owners of the Homestead
 since they had moved to Midway
from California.  I went to school and played
with their children.  My father, as a building
contractor, did a lot of work for the Whitaker's,
including construction of the "Farm" and "Ranch"
houses--guest  lodging.  He also built Martha and
Ferrin's home.


All the Whitaker's had treated me kindly as I
tagged along helping my father with clean-up
at the construction sites and played with their
children in their homes.


But, suddenly Martha (who did all the
interviewing for prospective employees at the
Homestead) became a totally different person--a
person of authority and I had to prove myself as a
capable prospective employee to her although
she knew from observing me helping my Dad
that I was a good worker.

I remember sitting across from her in the
empty dining room nervous as all get out
while she questioned me as to my abilities,
why I wanted to work there and if being so
young as I was, I thought I could do the work
which consisted of scraping off the dirty
dishes, loading them onto trays to be sent
through the huge automatic dishwashers, then
removing the cleaned and sterilized plates,
glasses and utensils and returning them to
their proper places to be used again.

I assured her I could do all that and more, that
I would always show up to work on time and
that I would work hard.  I must have passed the
interview because I got the summer job.

Through the ensuing years and into my first
year of college, an interview was required to
advance to the next position.  I don't think they
ever got any easier. Martha was a stickler for
proper work ethics.  I learned a lot from her
over the years as I worked in the soda fountain
and became a waitress in the dining room.
Even now I am very observant of those who
serve me in restaurants and often think how
Martha would cringe at some of the service.

Interviewing and being interviewed is not easy,
but I guess it is part of the learning and growing
process that each of us must go through at
some point in our lives.

Do you recall your first interview, who it was
with and what it was for?

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a wonderful day.

Nola