Having an interview ( 面试 ) doesn't sound like a big deal, just like getting good marks in college. You simply go in and meet someone, talk for a while, and then leave. Nothing to stress over, not the end of theworld, but I've never been interviewed and I have my first one tomorrow for my job in Columbia. I've spent a lot of time thinking about it and have decided that it shouldn't matter all that much. It seemsthat the interview would only make a difference if the company is on the fence about you, or if the interview was unpleasant and they walk away thinking that you are too, then the officers might be encouraged to thinkabout your request again. On the other hand, if you were in the "maybe" pile, a good interview could push you onto the list of accepted candidates ( 候选人 ). I know I shouldn't worry. After all, they probably have already made up their minds about me. My essaywas, to say the least, unique. The interview is at Starbucks. What does that mean? My friend, who did a lotof these interviews last year (and who was accepted to the company there), told me to wear jeans and a nicesweater. I was going to go with a skirt. The fact that it's at Starbucks, however, is making me think that jeansmight be more proper. And then there's the other problem of knowing who my interviewer is. I discussed thiswith my music teacher, who suggested, "They'll probably be wearing something." That good idea hadn't crossed my mind, which just goes to show that my brain has stopped to function. Stress is taking over mylife. Tonight I will prepare. I will choose what to wear and what, if anything, to bring. I like to talk, so this should not be a problem. Hopefully when I get there I'll find that this is actually the part of the process I'm most comfortable with. Until then I'll spend my time preparing and hoping.