starting the day
“I usually wake up at 6:30am, have breakfast and start strategizing to maximize my day. I’m thinking, ‘Where do I have the most sample?’ and that varies with what part of my trip I’m on, but my strategy is usually to go to the farthest cluster, or if it’s bad weather, the closest.”

what your week is like
“I know that I need to get at least three interviews a day to complete the assignment. On average, each interview is 45 minutes to an hour. One woman, though, had 31 great-grandchildren and we talked about them for awhile—it was delightful—but you can get caught up.”

first tasks/job duties
“It’s basic, but I always make sure I have all the materials I need. I keep everything in the car.”

lunchtime
“Usually, I have lunch around 1:30 and that’s also my dinner! I usually eat in a restaurant. I’m on the road a lot so I can’t eat too much fast food. I won’t be stopping to have a meal when people are coming home from work because that’s when I’ll be trying to speak with them.”

afternoon activity
“Our main time of maximizing our day is interviewing between 2pm and 8pm. I get most people as they’re getting home from work. Sometimes, though, working is waiting. You’re looking for activity in a neighborhood and a lot of times, mothers will be home when kids are coming home from school. I also read when I’m waiting.”

 

personality characteristics that aid your success
“The biggest thing is you have to be self-motivated and you have to love adventure. The more you love it, the more you travel.”

what you’re thinking as you end the day
“‘Good job!’ Or, if it wasn’t a really good day, ‘Tomorrow is another day!’”

greatest thing about being a Field Interviewer
“You see the country, all the nooks and crannies of a place. We have the opportunity to actually ‘live’ among the people...at church, at restaurants, at drycleaners, for 2-3 weeks at a time. We get to see all these historical places, local and national, which is pretty cool. Our travel is all paid for by the company. You know you’re there to work, but it’s nice to have the chance to see things—and people—while you’re doing it.”

background/experience
“I was in Tupperware for twenty years, so I’ve been going in and out of peoples’ homes for a very long time.”

favorite part of the day

“Actually, I love the whole day! I really can’t pick out a particular part of the day. I love it all. (I know, I’m disgusting...I can’t help it!)”