MTV’s Chicago-set dramedy “Underemployed” follows five friends who, a year after graduating from college, discover that the real world isn’t as pleasant as they had hoped. Job difficulties and personal crises challenge them, but they face it all together. RedEye got four of the five 20something stars, who spent the summer in Chicago filming the series, to answer a short questionnaire via email. Michelle Ang, Inbar Lavi, Sarah Habel and Jared Kusnitz opened up about some of their real-life work experiences and being in Chicago, and offered some sage job-hunting advice.
MICHELLE ANG
Ang plays Sophia, who slings donuts and dreams of becoming an author.
What was your worst job ever?
Having to be an assistant to a tyrannical director where I needed to be available to him at all times, but not be seen; I had to stand one step behind him always. He wouldn’t eat off any dishes except his own or sit on any chair except his own fold-out chair, so I had to carry dishware and his chair around with me at all times.
What’s the biggest way you’ve ever screwed up on the job?
Asking a producer in Barcelona if he wanted to eat lunch. Except my Spanish was terrible, and it came out as a sexual proposition. I didn’t realize my error and he didn’t miss a beat. It only came out at the wrap party … when he told everyone my mistake.
Your most shameless moment while job seeking?
Talking up my Spanish language skills.
In a job interview, you should never …
Claim that you can speak a language you don’t.
Your go-to cheap date?
Home-cooked meal
Best food to eat on a budget?
Vietnamese. You can get your carbs, meat and veggie fix, often for under $15, but with maximum flavor. BARGAIN.
What was your favorite thing about being in Chicago this summer?
The bike paths and neighborhood beer gardens. Oh, and the locals were pretty alright too. 😉
INBAR LAVI
Lavi stars as Raviva, who moved to L.A. to make to pursue her music. She returns to Chicago pregnant with Lou’s baby.
What was your worst job ever?
My worst job would have to be waiting tables at a restaurant in NY. My boss was EVIL. He would scream at me in front of customers and tell me to do impossible things, like be on the phone and wait tables and clean the restaurant AT THE SAME TIME! And worst of all, he would have me clean the toilet with a piece of cloth while he’s standing there making sure I didn’t miss any spots. YUK!
What’s the biggest way you’ve ever screwed up on the job?
I used to sell hair-care products and sold about 300 cases once and forgot to place labels on each box. The owner refused to pay for a pick-up/drop-off to fix this error, so I had to drive all the way to Orange County on my own money and spend an entire day labeling 300 cases with shampoo/conditioner labels–one by one–in a stinky, dusty, huge-ass warehouse.
Your most shameless moment while job seeking?
I did lie once to get a job as a bartender. I said I had two years experience making drinks, when really I’d never made a drink in my life. I was serving customers made-up concoctions that are probably illegal in most states. I didn’t last there too long.
In a job interview, you always/never should …
You always should have good breath and never fall asleep.
Your go-to cheap date?
“The Beverly Cinema” in L.A. screens old artsy movies for half the price of regular theaters. It has an old school vibe to it, it’s cheap and the selection of movies is always interesting and different. Very romantic! Another good place is “Hotel Cafe” in L.A. where random cool indie artists go up and perform their music. It’s only $10 to go in and you can have drinks and snacks and listen to anyone going up that night. I’ve seen some amazing performers there. It’s awesome!
Best food to eat on a budget?
Yogurt-land!
What was your favorite thing about being in Chicago this summer?
I loved A LOT of things about it, the food, the lake, the weather (YES, I said the weather). But, if i had to choose one thing then it would be the people. People in Chicago are so cool! They are different, they’re friendly, and just genuinely happy. Everyone’s so polite and sweet. They even look cool. Street style there is amazing…just a chill vibe and a very laid back energy! I could see myself being very happy living there.
SARAH HABEL
Habel is Daphne, who wants to make a name for herself in the field of advertising.
What was your worst job ever?
I was in charge of taking before/after pictures of patients when they had procedures done at a plastic surgeon’s office.
What’s the biggest way you’ve ever screwed up on the job?
One time I was baby sitting and I stepped outside just long enough for the little buggers to lock me out of the house. I blame the parents!
Your most shameless moment while job seeking?
My most shameless moment was surely at a commercial audition where I agreed to eat a taco in a bikini. It tasted like sadness.
In a job interview, you should never …
Show up with pink eye. No matter how impressive you are they won’t see past that conjunctivitis.
Your go-to cheap date?
My go-to cheap date is a game of pool at the Chipp Inn in Noble Square.
Best food to eat on a budget?
The best food on a budget is Pierogi Heaven!!! Who doesn’t love a potato stuffed dumpling?
What was your favorite thing about being in Chicago this summer?
Chicago is absolutely in incredible in the summer. The Montrose dog beach was heart meltingly hilarious. Also there is the constant aroma of chocolate wafting through the streets. I mean!?!?!?!
JARED KUSNITZ
Kusnitz’s character, Lou, wants to work saving the environment. But a pregnant girlfriend makes him seek less idealistic employment with his father.
What was your worst job ever?
My worst job ever was being on the safety patrol back in fourth grade. I had to get to school before everyone else which required waking up earlier than I already had to, and my only purpose was opening up car doors for arriving students. It made no sense to me why safety patrol was a job, or what it had to do with safety. Should’ve been called “valet without driving.”
What’s the biggest way you’ve ever screwed up on the job?
Continuing with safety patrol, I showed up without my mandatory “safety patrol sash” on purpose thinking it would get me kicked off the roster. I ended up having to talk to the principal about why I was disrespecting safety patrol … and I was forced to stay on it longer than I had to originally.
Your most shameless moment while job seeking?
My most shameless moment was auditioning for a commercial where they wanted PROFESSIONAL hip-hop dancers, so I BS’d my way through their questions about my dance training and experience. They asked me to freestyle a bit for them, turned on the song, and they just kinda stared at me then asked me to get the hell out. [Side note: I could dance, just not as we’ll as I’d made myself sound.]
In a job interview, you should always/never …
Always be yourself. Never project a version of yourself that you think they want. They want to see your skills and personality. Never throw a “That’s what she said” joke after anything the interviewer says unless it’s a perfect set-up, in which case it is your duty to nail it.
Your go-to cheap date?
Go-to cheap date is this little neighborhood sushi place I just discovered followed by a movie. Where can you go wrong?
Best food to eat on a budget?
In-N-Out burger. Best burger place I’ve been to, but unfortunately they don’t have any in Chicago. If I were choosing a Chicago place–Portillos!
What was your favorite thing about being in Chicago this summer?
My favorite thing about summertime Chi was the weather, which allowed for boat trips and lots of outdoor fun. Also, the FOOD!
Want more? Discuss this article and others on Show Patrol’s Facebook page.
