1. The author addresses this question herself in her story. Why do you think these low-wage workers keep working as a cleaning maid when there are so many other minimum wage, or higher, jobs available that could be easier?
These people may stick with the job because they know it; it is familiar to them. They may feel that they are lucky to have a job at all and work with what they have. They may also just accept the fact that in order for them to survive on minimum wage they will have to work very hard with little reward no matter what their job is. They may also not have the time to waste searching for another job; they took the first opportunity that they had.
2. Why do you think the author takes the time to go into detail explaining the entire application and orientation processes of job searching?
I think she does this to show the extra work that goes into job search and how hard it actually is for some people. She shows that it's not simply turning in a sheet of paper; you have to call and in her case make personal appearances to her potential employers. I think this also shows the additional chances of failure a job searcher may face. She has to pass personality tests, drug tests, and interviews. She goes into detail to show every aspect of difficulties these workers face.
3. What are some specific details the author writes about that makes this experiment show some real struggles for a person trying to live on minimum wage?
One example would be how well she explains the drug test process. This is a step many applicants must go through and some may have problems with it just as the author did. She also discusses the problems with finding a reasonable apartment. Not every city has cheap apartments available like they may advertise; some may have to resort in living in a motel on a week to week basis. She also talks about the gas money she has to spend to do all of her applying and commuting to interviews; people may not consider this but it is an area of spending as well.
4. Why do you think Barbara briefs a few of her coworkers of her experiment near the end of her time with them?
I think she informs them why she is actually working there mainly to record their reactions. She incorporates their responses into her book, providing a different aspect to the story. She may also do this in pure curiosity; she wants to see what they will say or if he coworkers even care. She also briefs them so she can ask them additional questions, including why they continue to work at such insufficient jobs.
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