<p>Am taking DDs to an interview at Starbucks with an admissions rep from a school both are really interested in. This will be their first interview. The rep will be talking to each girl seperately while I sort of hang out or something. She has invited me to participate but I am reluctant to do that. </p>
<p>The only reason I am going to be there at all is because I have to do the driving. Any advice?</p>
<p>I would say that your instincts are right - don’t participate. This is between them and the admission rep. Certainly, though, feel free to give them interviewing tips, as a first interview can be scary for a high schooler who has never experienced a similar thing before and doesn’t understand how it works.</p>
<p>My D interviewed on campus at one school where the custom was to talk to the student first in private, then call the parent up to answer any questions s/he might have. I would have one question prepared, perhaps one better asked by a parent, and ask either at the beginning or at the end of the interview, but I would stay away otherwise.</p>
<p>I would drop the girls off and go run a couple of errands. Give them each some $ for a beverage/snack. Have them call when they’re ready to be picked up.</p>
<p>Take a book and sit at another table. Or run errands as noted. </p>
<p>I never participated in my d’s interviews. Of course, on campus, I sat in the waiting room and sometimes was asked if I had any questions. I usually didn’t; I had d debrief me.</p>
<p>I would wait in the car or run errands. When my DD and DS interviewed for jobs where I had to drive them I waited in the car. </p>
<p>I knew that if I sat at another table I would make DD nervous and that if I sat at the interview table I might be tempted to interject.</p>
<p>Leave the Starbucks. Arrive back in time to shake hands with the interviewer if she/he wishes to meet you.</p>
<p>Arrive with the girls, greet the interviewer and leave.</p>
<p>Buy a latte and sit in the car. (Less stressful that way too!)</p>
<p>One of D’s interviews was at a Starbucks. I took along a book, and altho I would have much preferred to to sit in one of their comfy chairs, I went to the nearby Burger King and waited for D to call me when she was done. My role was purely as a driver and emotional support to/from the interview.</p>
<p>After you greet briefly (just shows you’re friendly and not indifferent to you D’s), then go do errands, or even just chill in your car a block away if that’s easier. </p>
<p>Keep the girls in charge of indicating to you when the interview is over. If you all have cellphones, tell the D’s to phone you to fetch them when both are done. Be sure each D knows to go across the cafe when it’s the other girl’s turn, and turn her back when sitting down; also bring a book, to not influence the other girl’s thoughts. If no cellphones, show them where you’ll be parked and waiting so they can walk out together from Starbucks and not keep the Rep waiting for you to return from errands.
Or if you like the “stay in the cafe” that’s of no issue.</p>
<p>Mention to the girls that even though they’ll be interviewed separately, it would be natural for the rep to spend a moment with the 2 or 3 of you together in a more sociable way. Sometimes kids don’t perceive the difference between the social and the business part of a meeting. It all takes experience; exciting for them that this is their first interview! Best wishes.</p>
<p>PS, Both my kids nailed their first post-college jobs in Starbucks interviews–and not working for Starbucks!</p>
<p>One other thought – I remember the awkwardness when my son interviewed at a Starbucks as to whether or not he should order anything when the interviewer offered to buy him something. It may not be a bad idea to get there early with lattes in hand when the interviewer arrives.</p>
<p>We had similar experience to cangel in that DS interviewed on campus at two places (privately in a conference room or office). Then the interviewer came out to shake hands with us parents and see if we had a question.</p>
<p>I agree with all who say do errands or go elsewhere to sit. Who wants to be sneaking peeks out of the corner of the eye to try and guess how it’s going (at least that would be what I would - insanely - be doing :p). You could plan to return about 5 mins before you think the interview will end. If you happen to time it right, you could greet the interviewer and ask a question if you like.</p>
<p>no, no, no to lattes (or anything else with caffeine). The last thing the girls want is to be squirming in their chairs bcos of a full bladder. 
Suggest a nice cold bottle of water to hold onto and sip. </p>
<p>Drop girls off, greet rep and excuse yourself. Run errands, go to another starbucks if you want a latte.</p>
<p>Obviously, you’d be thoughtful re: what kind of “errands” so you’re not stuck in traffic, in a supermarket line, etc. I wouldn’t want to keep the representative waiting more than 5 minutes at MOST for your return. When the interview is over, it has a good feeling and a chemistry; you want to be there ASAP after that so it doesn’t turn to awkward. I’m assuming the rep wouldn’t leave a cafe with the two girls there, but I could be all wrong about that assumption.
I still vote for chillin’ in the car a block away…but no need to announce that, either; the rep won’t really care where you are exactly, but might just be grateful you’ve got it all ironed out with the girls.</p>
<p>When WashDadJr talked to a college recruiter at Starbucks I stayed in the shop, but picked a seat from which I could not see or hear what was going on. I guess it was the equivalent of sitting outside in the car. I did always make a point of meeting the interviewer and exchanging a short pleasantry or two – one minute tops.</p>
<p>Thanks, now I have my game plan:</p>
<p>Arrive 10 or so min early so DDs have tome to pee and have a drink in hand when it begins. I think the admin rep is spending the entire afternoon at this Starbucks and that DDs are her last two apts. of the day so she’ll likely be wrapping up with another kid when we arrive.</p>
<p>Introduce myself and drop off D1 </p>
<p>D2 and I do a little shopping or sit in the car and arrive back to SB in time to ask questions if prompted.</p>
<p>D1 and I leave so D2 has her chance</p>
<p>Return for goodbyes and thank-yous.</p>
<p>This is going to be interesting. My daughters are so similar in their tastes and interests I hope the rep can recognize their differences but I think that by leaving each girl alone with her, their unique qualities will have a better chance of shining through. </p>
<p>You really have helped me iron out the details. Thanks so much!</p>
<p>This may be a west coast thing with cars and everything, but my S drove himself to all of his alumni interviews. We never met anyone. On campus interviews were the same. He arrived on his own. Not a judgment—it just never occurred to me or my H to go.</p>
<p>The exceptions were the interviews at our house where it was expected that we were to be a part of the process (service academies and one alumni interview). After our initial portion, we either went upstairs or took younger S and the dog for a walk. </p>
<p>We still laugh about one interview that unexpectedly lasted several hours. We walked and walked and could still see them talking at the dining room table with no let up in sight. Dog was happy, younger S was not!</p>
<p>My son also drove to most of his interviews (I think he had six alumni interviews altogether) by himself (on the East Coast) except for two which were in areas of the city which were unfamiliar to him and where he would likely have gotten lost and been late. In those cases, my husband or I drove him, but parked a ways a way so he could just arrive at the location without our involvement.</p>
<p>I also drove my d to interviews in strange locations. She didn’t want to have to worry about reading the Mapquest directions or getting lost. However, I never went in.</p>
<p>historymom, the only problem I see with your plan is what happens if the interviewer finishes with D1 before you get back with D2? It could be very awkward for both the interviewer and D1. Is there any way that D2 can just sit in a different part of the Starbucks with a book?</p>