Doing interviews, Victoria’s birthday

During the interviews we were doing yesterday I began to pray for Grandpa and Seth as they are anticipating going to interviews some time late this week or early next week. They both picked up applications for job openings at the local County Fair Grounds. Those completed applications will be turned in today. I am not sure how many people will apply but with the economy the way it is, it could be several hundred. We need to be in prayer for the two of them.


We did only three interviews and I saw three very distinct ways people conduct themselves during the interview. At first, my team member was more nervous than the interviewee, which concerned me because she is over seven months pregnant, but I let her do the majority of the interview anyway. We worked off of a list of questions which are subjective and difficult to answer on the fly;

• Considering the job description you just heard, what appeals to you about the job?

• Tell us about your strengths. How would your strengths help you do this job well?

• Tell us about previous jobs you have had and the skills you’ve developed. What were your major responsibilities?

• Why did you leave your last job?

• Describe a situation or assignment that challenged your skills. What did you learn from that situation?

• Describe situations that cause you stress at work. How do you deal with them?



The questions are pretty standard so if you are going to an interview, it may be good to prepare answers to some if not all of them. Forewarned is forearmed!

Of the three candidates, one stewed and seemed irritated at being asked such “ridiculous” questions, one was so nervous she looked like she was either going to cry or pass out. One looked us in the eye, answered to the best of her ability and presented herself with an air of confidence without being cocky. Guess who we liked best?

This candidate is currently going to school with plans to become a Physical Therapist and working as a farm hand for a rancher near her home. When we asked her about her availability, she said she would need to give two weeks notice to her current employer. “His cattle will still need to be fed and watered until he can find someone to replace me, but it shouldn’t take his the full two weeks.” That shows character. It had a powerful affect on us. She will be offered the job.

The short of it is that the first person had confidence but no character. The second had character but no confidence. The third had both character and confidence. It was a good learning experience – especially for my team member in Elk City, OK.

Victoria’s birthday was yesterday. She is twenty three. That’s hard to believe! Mama got her an Edible Arrangement and delivered it to her at work. She was thoroughly surprised. We took her to dinner but we had to settle for second choice since the restaurant she wanted to try was not open on Monday. We had to settle for Cheddar’s – which is excellent. Then we went to Cavander’s so she could try on boots. She started out with a pouty face since the footwear was cowboy boots, something my children have a Northeastern aversion to, but she quickly came around after she got a pair on that fit her well. At that point we got a Victoria, “Ooo”. It was game on then.

We had a good time – especially Mama.