Ever interviewed for a job with the AFL-CIO?

May 13, 2005 10:27 AM

My wife is interviewing with the AFL-CIO for a union organizing position--any tips?

My wife is super excited about this potential career path, but is also really anxious about blowing it in the interviews. She apparently did well on the first round, but the second round involves scenario-based questions. Does anyone have any tips to help her prepare? I think having some examples would help alleviate her stress.

posted by kimota to work & money (4 comments total)

Yeah. Make sure she tells them how much she likes the current administration!

Seriously, just tell her to be honest. And that they will probably give her some "nightmare scenarios" where there is no right answer. Don't let that rattle her.

Good luck!
posted by Doohickie at 10:48 AM on May 13, 2005

It's a terrific opportunity for her, and she should be excited about it. And Doohickie is right about the honesty.

I've been there, done that. Email me, and I can address a lot of her specific questions about the job.
posted by bodabutton at 6:47 PM on May 13, 2005

One of my friends had that precise job in Seattle and it drove her almost batty. She's now a park ranger in New Zealand if that says anything. (Actually, it was getting date-raped and then not being allowed to take personal time off because they needed her for an organizing drive that drove her over the edge.) She loved the job while she was doing it and was very much into it, but it was very high stress and looking back on it now she says she didn't enjoy it in hindsight as much as she thought she did at the time.

Be prepared to not see your wife while she has the job. As far as interviewing goes, she needs to be prepared to carefully investigate without being obvious the party line when she meets the the interviewers, and then toe it. She also needs to be 100% ideologically
posted by SpecialK at 3:08 AM on May 14, 2005

1. Take the role playing seriously. Even if it reminds you of high school forensics, take it seriously.

2. Demonstrate the ability to show concern for workers. The successful union organizer is able to make small concerns at work seem unbearable.

3. To second SpecialK, fall in line ideologically. While they will encourage questions, don’t drop any bombshells (no questions about corruption, organized crime, AFL-CIO audits and staff firings.)

4. Don't be nervous. Simply follow their instructions and ask questions if you have any. They will be more impressed by someone willing to learn and follow directions than someone who comes in knowing everything about unions and organizing. This might actually make them suspect you.
posted by tommunation at 6:01 PM on May 16, 2005