By ELLEN EBY '06

There you are, laying back, relaxing, letting the sun soak in as your skin glows bronze SPLASH! Suddenly you are sent back to reality by a little twerp jumping into the no-splash area; you pick up your whistle and... TWEET! You're back to reality, life-guarding all summer long.

Summer jobs are a rite of passage for many American teenagers. A summer job may range from babysitting to prestigious internships. According to The Dallas Morning News, 39.5% of American teens were employed during the summer of 2003.

However, to obtain many of these job opportunities, an interview is necessary. Recently, I caught up with the campus authority on interviews, Director of Admissions Patricia Gimbel, to get the inside scoop on interviewing for a summer job.

When preparing for an important interview, Mrs. Gimbel emphasizes good judgment in choice of clothes. A good rule of thumb is to wear what you would be expected to wear if you were to get the job. However, this does not mean that you should show up in ripped cut-offs if you are interviewing to be a camp counselor. Just use good judgment! In most cases, Class Dress is a safe bet, but no word on whether rivets are appropriate.

Next on the agenda comes a critical skill to master: a good handshake. Mrs. Gimbel says that to give a good handshake, you should put your hand straight out, look the person in the eye, and give a firm delivery. (This does not mean squeeze your interviewer's hand until it turns white.) Also, a weak handshake is to be avoided at all costs.

Body language is also essential in an interview. If the interview is conducted seated, sit up straight to give the impression of attentiveness. However, don't try to have such perfect posture that you look uncomfortable. In general, try to find a happy medium between looking too uptight and too relaxed, which can give off the vibe of arrogance. Mrs. Gimbel warns that arrogance kills an interview.

The best interviews are made by enthusiasm. Ms. Gimbel says that the most memorably good interviews are those with people that are most enthusiastic. Sometimes this can be through having interests that are just a little bit different. A memorably bad interview is made by giving one or two word answers to questions, seeming generally disengaged, and fidgeting.

Before going to a job interview, you should always do your homework. This involves reading past the "first page" of what you are expected to know. If you are interviewing to be a summer counselor and never actually went to summer camp as a kid, you should do some background information on what actually goes on at summer camp. Ask around about the job that you are interviewing for. Friends and family members will have plenty to say about the job you are interviewing for.

Most importantly, you should prepare questions beforehand. These questions should generally not be obvious ones like "what goes on here," and probably shouldn't all involve topics along the lines of how much time off you will receive. The questions that you ask should demonstrate that you have a real interest in the job.

The interview is the place to set yourself apart from the other candidates, as summer jobs have become increasingly competitive. Just make sure to follow these tips, and you performance will be great at the very least.

Finally, in the wise words of former Headmaster Frank Boyden, "Look sharp, feel sharp, be sharp."