How to go about interviewing to be a roommate.

This may not apply to a lot of people, but I've been through it, and in the past week, my roommates and I have been interviewing people who are interviewing in hopes of living in our sweet house. We've posted on Craigslist and had quite a few applicants. Luckily, I am not doing much of the email screening, but I do get the emails of the applicants who make it through the filters, and I also get to hear about the 'darwin award winners' who really didn't make the cut. Here are a few of the things that I think are important while applying to live in a place with people:

• Include your first and last name. Yes, you will get googled, myspaced, facebooked, and investigated in any other way possible. If you don't want people to know the information that you have voluntarily posted about yourself why have you posted it? If you're going to be living with these people they're going to want to know as much about you as possible to see if you will be a good fit for the living situation.
  
• Ask your potential roommates personal questions. If you act like you don't care about them, you're probably not going to portray that you're looking to be a member of the household society.
• Don't ask too personal of questions. There are some things that are taboo, you should already know what these are. Anything that could be considered discrimination or offensive = off limits.
• Have a job and state that you have one. Alternatively, have really wealthy parents that will pay for everything, and state this. If you don't seem like you can make the rent and utility payments, you probably won't make the cut. If you reference being able to pay through last year's Christmas money your potential roommates will wonder.
  
• Unlike job interviews, it's ok to bring a friend. They'll be there to ask any questions that you may have forgotten, and they might be able to notice something that you've overlooked. It also shows that you've got friends, and your friends are a reflection of you. However, poorly chosen, rude friends can also be a pox on your interview.
  
• Don't bring your entourage - too many friends would just be weird.
• Monkeys, ferrets and other strong smelling animals are deterrents.
  
• Most importantly: be yourself.

Also, if the roommate posting is for an unfinished room in the basement with twenty-somethings it is not a good idea to ask if you can bring your children.