The Blue Collar Job Interview
I was thinking about job interviews lately. How to dress, how to act, everything about them. I don’t have one coming up or anything I’m just mental preparing for my next one. I’ve seen so many people in my life show up to where ever I was working in jeans and a t-shirt. C’mon man! How serious would that person be about that job? I’m sorry but if you’re applying for a job hanging off the back of a garbage truck don’t dress like it in the interview.
It’s crazy how many people can’t pass a drug test? Let me tell you I was no saint in high school and in my early 20’s and I know there was plenty of times a random test would have been failed by me. I think if you have a job that’s requires randoms you pretty much have to quit doing drugs or find another job. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. Don’t rely on any of these gimmick things from the health food store on the internet.
I try to remind myself all I have to do is be the best person out of the group they are interviewing. Sometimes it’s easy, other times not. But I think when companies interview they might have particularly strong candidates and other times they might have all weaker candidates then they would like. That’s where I believe I fit in, the weak groups. I try to sneak in all stealth like under the radar. Like a fat out-of-shape ninja.
Mentally I prepare myself for failure, I mean after the interview. I’ve been rejected a lot of times and I used to take it a lot harder than I do now. The truth is it could be any reason why I didn’t get the job. Maybe the boss has a nephew that wants to work there. Who the heck knows? I feel better telling myself that at least. Sometimes I’m sure it is me to be honest.
The lower paying the job the lower they’re standards are for hiring also. I wonder if there is a empoyer that would hire someone just wearing a feed-sack. Honestly I wouldn’t be surprised if there was. My wife’s uncle owns a logging business and its crazy some of the stuff they go through to keep employees. Bailing guys out of jail, having drunks knock on their door late at night looking for their paycheck, and the list goes on and on.
Here are a few things I’d like to share about going to a blue collar job interview. I never interviewed anyone but maybe one day I will, who knows.
• Take a shower
I spend maybe 10 or 15 minutes a day in the shower. No one tells me I stink to much so to me the investment seems to be paying off. I have no hair so I don’t have to worry about that. If you have hair make it look like Fabio. Yes you must look like Fabio. But for real, don’t stink, shave and wash your hair.
• Dress up at least a little
If you’re serious about this job you can’t show up in a t-shirt. In my opinion the minimum I would wear is polo with nice jeans. By nice jeans I mean no stains or holes. At this I go with either polo, button-down dress shirt or a sweater depending on the weather. I prefer those ¼ zip sweaters but that beside the point. For pants I’ll wear khakis. I never got any job I’ve ever applied for wearing a tie. I feel very out of place in a suit. They probable think why is this dumby wearing a suit? I stick with what’s in my comfort zone and I suggest you do to.
You can get an outfit that’s decent at I bet just about any thrift store out there for maybe $10. Make sure your pants fit too. I hate being in pants that are to tight. It reminds me that I should go on a diet.
• Always strive for the best
I remember my one friend’s dad said if you’re going to do grunt work you might as well go somewhere that’s going to pay you for it. I have no problem with scrubbing toilets. But where do you think I’ll work the place that pays me $12 to scrub a commode or the place that pays me $17? There are guys out there driving truck and getting their hands dirty making $70, $80, and $100 thousand. Why not strive to be one of those guys? I may not get there but I’ll sure try.
• Don’t waste time
One thing I started doing is when I get a call back from an application I’ll ask what they start at. I wasted too much time doing the interview when the pay just didn’t work. I mean I’m polite about it but I’ll tell them that it just won’t work.
• Bring a folder
I bring a folder with copies of my resume and then for me I make an easy to read bullet paper with points I want to hit. Bring a good pen and check off the bullets as you go over them. That way you don’t leave the interview and say “I should have said this or that”. You say everything you want and get in every point. I think it shows you’re prepared and serious
• Be a fun-loving guy
Think back to a coworker or someone who you really enjoyed spending time with. Think about traits they have and emulate them. But maybe you are that person and in that case don’t change a thing.
• Put yourself in the interview chair
It’s good to take a minute and put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes. What are they looking for? Look at other workers who they already hired. Is there anything they have in common? Can you use this in the interview? We’re looking for any leg up on the other candidates. This might be it.
There are plenty of don’ts. I think a lot of those are common sense. If you act like the person who you’d like to hire you’ll be fine.
