Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Interview for Motherhood

My brother is applying for internships right now, so we've talked resumes and interviews a couple of times. It's gotten me thinking about what an interview for my current occupation might be like:
interview questions in red, (suggested answers/tips in black)

So, tell me a little about yourself? What do you like to do?
(Pure warm up, throw away question, just don't say anything idiotic and you'll be fine)

Your resume says that you enjoy travel, ever been on a crowded metro?
(Careful here, not merely a warm up question. The interviewer will take away from this how you feel about personal space, which translates into how you'll do with children popping in and out of the bathroom while you are showering)

How would you describe your attention span?
(Here the interviewer wants to know if you'll be able to hang with the four year-old playing delivery person. Can you keep your head in the game while they make 37 imaginary deliveries, deliveries you must receive gracefully, even excitedly, every time)

Tell me about something risky you've done? How did it turn out? How did you react?
(Here the interviewer wants to assess how you'll do with a two year old that loves to disrobe with no warning, while simultaneously going through a phase where she decides she's ready to be potty trained: combining easy removal underwear with less than perfect toileting consistency)

What is the brake for? How do the wheels go? What does an axle look like? How does the fuel make the axle turn? What's a piston? Where is it? How fast does it go? Horsepower?
(Don't expect to have time between these questions to actually answer them, just stay relaxed)

What's the longest you've gone without eating? Without using the bathroom?
(These questions might break equal employment laws, but what? you going to sue?)

Moving on to the case portion of our interview, can you point out the potential risks and rewards of the following situation, I just want to hear you think through it:
Making a spaghetti squash main dish for dinner and trying to pass it off as real pasta to a 2 year old, 4 year old, and 8 year old.

And here's a little bonus question for you (you know you're doing well if they are offering you the bonus question), how often does an elementary school have to re-gravel their playground? Please ask me any questions you would like, if you need more information.
(some questions you might like to ask: How large is the playground? How many students at the school? How much sand is in the average childs shoe at the end of EVERY DAY?)

If you make it through this whole interview without any interruptions, it's not a good sign, they didn't think you were a contender, you're not going to get called back.

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