These replies have been collated and attempts made to secure "clinical pictures" of the type of individuals. These methods result in such characterizations as the following. The words specifying the vocation itself are omitted, and the reader is invited to guess which of the large number of possible callings is being described.
"The girl who enters ---- should be able to use good language, and should dress neatly and appropriately in order to impress people agreeably. She should be able to write a legible hand, make clear figures, and spell correctly; a practical knowledge of arithmetic, especially fractions, is very important. Prime requisites for success are interest and enthusiasm and a knowledge of human nature. The born ---- takes a vital interest in her ----, in her ----, and in her ----. She studies her ----, learns something of their ----, knows what their good points are, and is able to ---- about them intelligently and truthfully. She is a good judge of people, and she has the sincerity and the tact which enable her to help a ---- so to ---- as to go away satisfied and come to her again. Such a ---- is alert, energetic, and gives strongly the impression that she is in her place to ---- and therefore never displays an indifferent manner toward anyone who may ask her service. Loyal to her work, she is always courteous, for loss of temper means loss of ---- ----."
Now, if one but insert suitable words where the omissions occur, the paragraph remains equally applicable and illuminating when applied to any of the following occupations, diverse as they seem to be: housekeeper, waitress, stenographer, milliner, teacher, mother, doctor, nurse, cashier, sales-woman, insurance agent, bookkeeper, clinical psychologist, private secretary. The following paragraph is equally illuminating:
"If a girl wishes to succeed in ---- she must be possessed with intelligence [How much?], good judgment and common sense. She must have good eyesight, good hearing and a good memory. She must have good perception and be able to concentrate her attention completely on any matter in hand. In addition to these she must be neat in executing ---- work and accurate to the last degree. It is absolutely necessary that she have a good education."