The Finite

So if you’re not on Purdue’s campus, you probably don’t know that Pharmacy school admissions interviews are this week. Well, they are. Everyone else’s was this past week. Mine and about 100 transfer students’ interviews are Monday. From what I hear, everyone is freaking out before the interview but sitting serenely during (or so it seems with very constricting dress pants). Those that aren’t passing out in the streets of dehydration or excessive formal wear, walk around in a daze afterwards.

So this being my first legit interview I am a little nervous about it. I mean, I had that fake one back in eighth grade, but the only lesson I walked away from that was to fidget where my interview couldn’t see and make eye contact.

Then there was the really informal one at the beginning of the year for a committee position that I really, really screwed up with, but Chan was cool with it and I got in anyway.

From that I’ve deduced the three rules of interviewing.

1. Don’t screw up.
2. Seriously, don’t screw up.
3. If you wear brown shoes with a black belt, it is culturally acceptable that you be shot on sight.

I went through the 5 stages of death on Tuesday, but I got better. I’m a little more liberated now, like in V for Vendetta when Evey no longer fears death after being imprisoned by V. I can face Monday with a healthy level of fatalism.

I just have to remember to eat so I don’t pass out, but not to have so much coffee that I come off a jittery coke head.

I recently saw the guy I sold my Ochem text book to at the end of last year.

Tommy: How’s that ochem book working out for you?
Omar: Pretty good. Your little notes really help.
Tommy: I thought- didn’t I just fill the margins with profanity?
Omar: Yeah… you did.

Why do I have to wear a suit to my interview? Hell, why does anybody have to wear suits? Let’s analyze what the suit is saying to the interviewer. It says,

“I heard I should wear a suit.”

AND

“I had money for a suit.”

OR

“I have a suit that fits.”

Having money is not something someone flaunts at a job interview. Doesn’t having money mean you want the job less? You should be dressed in a way that says you want the job and not to say, ” I am a tool of cultural aesthetic who is going to use this garment as a crutch to increase my apparent respectability as I sit here uncomfortably and talk to you but fidget whenever you’re not looking.”

We can wear hand-knit sweaters to business functions. They say so much more.

“I have the tenacity, dedication and fine motor skills to remain at a task until completion. My devotion to this sweater’s creation is a direct reflection of my desire to join your organization.”

OR

“I’m nice enough to Grandma that she knitted this for me. How can you reject a person who’s that nice to his grandmother? You can safely assume my social support is sufficient that a termination-induced homicidal breakdown is unlikely.”