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How to Prepare for a Job Interview

By Dean Norman

I know a guy who got a great job with a very simple interview.

He was a humor writer and applied for a job with an advertising agency that specialized in humorous TV ads. He put some samples of his writing into a cardboard box. When he sat down in the office for his interview, he said, “Just take pot luck, and pick out samples of my writing from this box.”

Before the employment executive could take a sample, the phone rang. “I'm sorry,” he said. “I have to go see someone right now. I will be back in a minute to see your samples.”

The minute became half an hour. When the executive came back, he was surprised to see the applicant still sitting in the chair. “You are still here?” he said. “If you have that much patience, then you're the man for the job.” My friend had a good career with the agency, and became the director of the West coast office.

So if you are applying for your dream job, dress nicely, organize your resume carefully, answer questions politely, and maybe just sit quietly for a long time. You can never be sure what the employer thinks is the most important qualification.

— Dean Norman 

Dean Norman is a cartoonist and humor writer, whose work has appeared in greeting cards,The New Yorker, MAD Magazine, The Cleveland Plain Dealer Sunday Magazine and The Kansas City Star. He's also written comedy for cartoon shows and written and illustrated children's books. He illustrated a cartoon book for Cleveland Metroparks, Cleveland Metroparks Adventures.

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