Sunday Dreams: Just like any interview

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J'Ron Erby, Staff Writer

In the last week I’ve had three job interviews. One, for a well-known valet company, Towne Park. Also, for the Oakland Raiders, as well as the San Francisco 49ers. You would think the last two interviews would be nothing like the first, but in reality, they are all very much alike. Many people only see NFL players on Sundays and just glorify the sport, and forget that it truly is a business.

Like all other interviews, I met with my potential boss, Jack Del Rio for the Raiders; and Jim Tomsula for the San Francisco 49ers.

Our qualifications were discussed beforehand, which is why I was even face-to-face with each coach. They each told me as well as the other potential employees our responsibilities and what will be required to be successful in this business. Finally, each went over the lucrative benefits available upon being hired.

Next, just like the valet job they showed us the job’s headquarters, which were easily like nothing I’d ever seen. After touring the premises we went to the locker room to change into our business attire and begin the next part of the application process.

You would think the fast-paced, Chip Kelly-ish workouts were the hardest part, but the hardest part was not the constant DB drills with no water. The hardest part wasn’t flipping my hips on que and catching rockets from Rod Woodson who apparently thinks he’s Rich Gannon. The hardest part was not trying to perform 100 percent at the 49ers workout the next day after my Raiders workout.

The hardest part is acting like everything going on is normal. You’re given a locker with your name on it, and an official jersey. You get to use the exact facilities that current NFL players are using. Hall of Famer Rod Woodson is getting to know you and coaching you through drills. You see Aldon Smith pull off in the nicest matte black Ferrari you’ve ever seen as you enter the stadium, and throughout all this you have to be poised and act like it’s just another day.

You want this to be the norm, therefore you have to act like it is the norm. You’re a step closer to being hired but yet you’re still unemployed. Employers like to see confidence, or so I’ve heard. So throughout the jaw-dropping scenery, and the realization of the rare opportunity that is in front of you; you have to act a bit nonchalant.

Once you put that jersey on, step onto that beautiful field and see that shiny logo everywhere you turn, it’s hard to even remember the word nonchalant.