I was shocked, to say the least. I very rarely got important phone calls. So when the other line said, "I'd like to interview you in person," I couldn't believe it. My first interview, only three days away. What do I say? What do I wear? Should I tell her I'm getting my braces off soon? Would my metal mouth effect the decision? Maybe if I talk with my mouth closed, she won't notice. But then she'll think I'm hiding something. I'll be forced to draw attention to my braces, and if it wasn't an issue before, it would definitely be one after that.
The days leading up to the interview were nerve-wrecking. By 3:00 Thursday afternoon, I remember I packed two outfits that morning before I went to school, just in case I decided one was more appropriate than the other. I was nervous; I had no experience and I was young, if you couldn't already tell by the braces part. My mom was excited and I couldn't help but talk it up. "Yea mom, I pretty much got the job, she just wants me to come in to go over a few things. Of course I'm aware of the hours, mom. You know, you better start being nice to me, I'm not going to be around much now that I have a job."
After school on Thursday, I had my friend drop me off for the interview. I decided to stick to my first outfit: simple, yet professional. I remember I sat at the table with my hands crossed like I was at church, sweaty and smiling. She sat across from me and immediately asked me, "Where do you go to school?" Shit, this book bag makes me look young. "Do you do any clubs afterwards? Are you available on the weekends? Do you have any health restrictions? Have you ever had a job before?" I answered as honestly but as far from the truth as possible. I guess it worked, because after a few questions she told me I was exactly what she was looking for. I couldn't believe it. I'm going to go far, I thought. My first interview ever and I nailed it! I walked out with my head in the clouds. Look out world, you are looking at Burger King's newest drive-thru employee!
Yes, for the next two years of my life, I was the "Would you like cheese on your Whopper?" girl. That was the beginning of my life in the minimum wage world. And my God, did it only suck from there. I had a handful of jobs after that, none as tedious as taking drive thru orders, but nonetheless my sanity was tested a few too many times. However, I learned some very valuable lessons, lessons that I believe everyone should learn. The first being that if you don't stick up for yourself, no one will. I've learned to tally every last hour down to the minute to make sure my paycheck matches exactly. I couldn't tell you how many times co-workers were missing hours because "the machine was off." One time back when I worked for the big BK, i'll never forget this, I was sent home because I was going to hit the overtime mark. Sixteen years old, and I was about to hit the overtime mark. "Used and abused" is what I'd call it now, "cool" is what I'd call it then. Work me as much as possible, and cut me off right when I'm about to make myself a well deserved extra few bucks. Listen, I'm not targeting Burger King. It's any job, I've had friends working for a variety of corporations tell me the same exact stories — they all suck across the board!
Lesson number two, I learned if I was a morning or night person. People are always saying "take a morning class and see if you can get up" No, work a seven hour shift starting before the hour of nine and see if you can function after a few weeks. Seriously. I have learned so much about what works best for me while working. I've had graveyard shifts, early morning shifts and smack in the middle of the day shifts. Yes, they were all terrible but I learned that I function better when I am finished working by 3 p.m. Both mentally and physically. That was a huge realization for me, I base my class schedule off of it, and my daily routine.
Lesson number three, probably the most important of all, I learned how to be a people's person. I've developed the virtue of patience. I've truly shocked myself with the conversation I'd be willing to have during a shift. Anything to make the minutes seem faster. "Did you see the article on page eight of the paper today? I can't believe they're using a new sauce on their pizza, I knew it, I knew something was off." I've had that conversation before, multiple times.
A quick lesson four, working for a family business beats a corporation a million times over. To know who I'm working for has proven to be much more important to me than I thought. It's easier to be an honest employee when you know the business you are working for is honest toward you, and I'm not saying corporations are honest toward their employees, I'm just saying I have had much better experiences while working for family businesses.
I owe my work ethic to my life as a minimum wage teenager. I've learned so much about myself, the real world and the value of a dollar. As I begin to make strides toward my career job I know I will appreciate every second of it because not too long ago I was standing at the drive thru with a metal mouth and a seven hour shift ahead of me.
