Job Search: Scenario 2

At another Starbucks in the neighborhood, I witnessed a job interview being conducted. A gentleman, well dressed in a suit and tie, eagerly sat across from two men discussing his experience as a manager in various places as well as his connection to the community. The interview flowed, and the conversational dynamic between the three made it seem like this gentleman had already been hired. But, then came the kicker. They discussed where he’d be working if he got the job…in a prison. Also in the course of the conversation, questions about safety in the prison while working with inmates and comments about his family commitments came up. As the conversation was winding down, one interviewer asked, “And how about the salary? Are you OK with making $12 an hour?” The interviewee replied, “I am fine with it as long as there is room for growth and opportunities to move up in the company as you had mentioned.” Well said oh young and eager interviewee. The interview came to an end with the interviewee shaking hands with the employers and stating, “I look forward to hearing from you in a couple of days.” The interviewee placed the chair back that he had borrowed from a nearby table and smiled at me on the way out.