The Interview

Internships do not appear out of nowhere, and especially in a large city like New York, and in a competitive job market to top it off. Securing an internship is not a task to be taken lightly. One of the first places I contacted was an organization that deals directly with two of my primary interests – worker and immigrant rights. When they called me back to schedule an interview I was thrilled. As with many grassroots organizations, it is small (as is their office space), a very casual environment at first glance. I interviewed at a card table in a room in which three other people were working in close proximity. Aside from the odd setup, the interview seemed to go well, and the individual I met with seemed impressed with my research and interest in their organization.

I left with every reason to believe that I had the internship. Days turned into a week with no word, so I began frantically applying for other internships, all the while wondering what I had done wrong and believing it is truly a cold world out there. Doubts and second guessing set in. Maybe I had dressed too casually – slacks, a blouse and brightly colored loafers may not have given the right impression. Maybe I was too soft spoken. Maybe I was too white.

I interviewed with a city council member’s office and scheduled an interview for the following week. This time I wore my best Goldman-esque outfit – no jokes in the ensemble this time around. I spent an eternity on the train, and became successfully late for an interview for the first time in my life. I was appalled at how I let this happen – I have seen many candidates dismissed simply for being late. I tried to act like an adult, and called the contact I would be meeting with to inform him I was running 10 minutes late. The interview was more formal than the last, but the two individuals I met with made me feel comfortable and the issues handled in their office- while not my first choice- were fascinating and I knew I would learn a lot. I was caught off guard when asked if I spoke Romanian – yes, I taught English there for a summer but certainly did not master the language in mere weeks. Just goes to show than anything on one’s resume is fair game for questions from any angle.

The next day the first organization I had interviewed with called to see when I would like to start interning. Really? I had already asked friends and co-workers to serve as references for the city council member’s office and had every intention of going ahead with the latest option. But as my heart was really with the issues of the first organization, I quickly emailed the city council members office to let them know the situation and may well intern there next semester.

Lessons learned? Always be on my A-game. Over-dressing on purpose is just part of the process, and at least one never has to doubt that they did that part of the interview wrong. Allow 30 minutes of margin to get to the interview (one would think this is common sense, but….) because between trains running slow, transfers, and scouting out the office, it is better to hang out around the corner at a coffee shop then have to make the phone call I did. I also learned not be afraid to ask for a clearer definition of where things are heading – “when might I expect to hear from you?” or “when do you expect to make a decision?” would have been perfectly acceptable questions I could have asked that would have prevented my internship obtainment roller coaster.

Now I will be living with my decision to go with the less formal organization – and while my heart is in it, who knows how their seemingly haphazard approach will play into the internship over the next few months. I will be attending member meetings, doing outreach, and assisting in the office, but I still need to coordinate a more formal mutual understanding of what the expectations are.

photo credit: http://domesticworkersunited.blogspot.com/