Could my Alverno skills be paying off already?

As some of you may know, I've been looking for a new job. I've been waitressing at this restaurant for four years now, and I feel that it's time for me to move up from this entry level position. In my job search, I'd been trying to avoid positions in food service; I think I've had enough of it for the time being. I know I'll be moving towards an actual career when I begin my internship either this summer or fall, but I just need a transition between what I have now and what I will have. I wasn't aiming for it to be at all related to my field of study, but I wanted to take a step up from the kind of job any 16-year-old can walk into a restaurant and get.



Last Sunday, I saw an ad in the paper for open interviews for a new restaurant opening at Mitchell International. I figured that because I have experience in a restaurant setting, it wouldn't hurt to check it out and see what comes of it. I went to the hotel conference center, where the interviews were being held, to find that everything was happening in one large room. People would come in and fill out applications at one of the tables, then their names would be called one at a time for an interview with one of the two managers at either end of the room.

After I sat though an hour of listening to everyone else's extensive interviews, my name was called. My interview went surprisingly fast, but I was a little worried. Although she was friendly and seemed to like me, she didn't ask nearly as many questions as she did for others.

Lo and behold, I got a call Thursday to set up a second interview at the airport.

They always tell you to arrive early for interviews; I'm glad I did. The location had been changed, and I got to the correct place just in time.

Lisa, one of my interviewers, was already seated at the table. She shook my hand and asked me to sit. She looked over my application, and I offered her my resume. She looked happily surprised and looked over my resume, commenting on how she wishes all applicants would bring resumes; they're so much easier to read than applications.

"Oh! You're a Communications major! What do you want to do with that?"

I told her a bit about my coursework and my upcoming internship, and she went on about what a wide array of options Communications majors have. , Elizabeth, the other interviewer, arrived as we spoke, and the interview officially began. As they asked questions and I answered them, they seemed pleased with what I had to say.

The 15 minutes flew by. As I stood up to leave, shaking each woman's hand, one made the comment, "That's the best handshake I've had all day!"

I smiled to myself, thinking back to Amy Fritz's PPS 129. We gave considerable effort to choosing majors and careers, but we also practiced interview etiquette. One day, we introduced ourselves to one another, practicing a firm handshake and eye contact. It was funny at the time, but now I can tell that it was definitely a valuable lesson.

Now I'm beginning to see the practicality of everything I learned in that course. I hope that it will aid me in landing not only this job, but future jobs as well!

Until my phone rings, my fingers will be crossed.
(Cross yours for me too!)