“Steph, I saw a sign at Hy-vee saying they are having open interviews next week,” my mom said. “You should go.”

I heard what my mom said, but I brushed it off—I didn’t want to work at a grocery store.

“You just need a job, so go in,” my dad interjected. “It won’t hurt anything.” This silenced me from saying anything more, but I was repulsed by the idea.

The week flew by, and the next thing I knew it was interview day. An hour before I needed to leave, my mom encouraged me to go ask my dad for advice. This was one thing I happily did because I really didn’t know what to expect at the interview. He told me to just relax, smile and be confident.

I was about to leave when my mom stopped me and suggested that I wear nicer pants. I had on some gray corduroy; she told me to put on some khaki pants instead because dress is important in an interview. I was slightly resistant to this advice. It’s just a grocery store, and no one will be looking that close. I didn’t believe that clothes mattered so much. Nevertheless, I gave in.

On the much-dreaded drive there, my dad’s advice kept skipping around in my brain. Maybe if I just listen and do my best to follow my dad’s advice, I will end up with a job. I finally told myself to stop being stubborn, step out of my comfort zone, and do my best to apply what my dad told me.

Upon arrival, I signed my name to a list with 15 to 20 other names. Four people were being interviewed at a time, so I decided to take a seat. I scanned the room, observing the other applicants. There was a girl wearing a mini dress, someone else in jeans and a T-shirt; the other half dozen people looked like they didn’t want to be there. It suddenly dawned on me how important appearance was in an interview, and I was thankful my mom told me to change. The first lesson of my interview was that my parent’s guidance helped me make a better impression.

Soon, a man came over, introduced himself, made eye contact with me, and gave me a firm handshake. I took a breath as we walked over to the table designated for the interview. I instantly felt like I was radiating heat, but I just kept reminding myself of my dad’s advice. And before I knew it, the interview was over. The interviewer stood up, thanked me, and told me the interview went really well. I could feel my face instantly cooling off as my nerves melted away. And a week later, a woman called to tell me that the store wanted to hire me.

What would have happened if I hadn’t been forced to change or go to the interview? Would I have gotten the job? My parents knew so much more about interviews than I did and were trying to help me succeed.

My dad was once co-owner of an ice company and an owner of a remodeling business. He had both interviewed and hired people many times, but I hadn’t thought about that. I now realized going to my dad was one of the best things I could have done.

Instead, I resisted. I didn’t want to work at a grocery store. Until I got the job and started working, I did not realize how important it was just to have a job. All the fighting I did against going didn’t help anything. In the end, listening to my parents had landed me a job. As a young teen, I thought I knew everything, but sometimes we need people with more experience to show us the way. After all, our parents want what is best for us.