ImCoolBeans
February 25th, 2012, 11:44 PM
Tips to a Successful Job Interview – For Teens!
So your application has been accepted and you’ve gotten the call that they want to interview you — but what do you do? What do you say? How should you dress? Whether you have never had a job interview before, you had one that didn’t go as planned, or you had one that went really well, you are bound to at least be a little nervous or anxious and that’s okay!
“How should I dress for my job interview?”
You don’t need to go all out; depending on the job a suit isn’t usually necessary. Guys should try to avoid jeans, tee shirts, or anything that looks a little beat up — and certainly wear something clean. Nothing says “don’t hire me” more than looking like a slob. Girls should avoid anything that is too revealing; you’re not going to the beach for the day, you’re trying to be presentable and leave your interviewer with a good image of you. Don’t wear excessive makeup and/or jewelry either; there is a time and place for everything, but in a professional work environment simple and non-flashy attire is generally the way to go. Don’t wear anything to the interview that you would not wear to work!
Think about questions that they may ask you during the interview. Some common ones are (keep in mind this generally applies to teens):
- "What classes do you take in school?"
- "What are your interests?"
- "Why do you want a job here?"
They seem like very simple questions but, when the spotlight is all on you, your answers may not sound as great as they did in your head. This is why you should run through some simple questions prior to your interview in order to fluently answer them when asked.
Coming prepared to ask questions of your own is also a good idea. This can really show your interviewer and potential employer that you are proactive and that you are serious about the position you are applying for. Some good questions to ask while being interviewed are:
- "What do you think is the most important thing I need to know about this job?"
- "What kinds of opportunities might there be for me to learn new skills here?"
- "Is there anything else you would like to know about me?"
- "Will you be training me, or will I be trained by someone else?"
If you’re relying on public transportation, know the routes and schedules and expect delays so you can plan how to get there on time in any situation. Don't use slang or swear. Be polite, positive, and professional throughout the interview. Do not chew gum, it comes across as you not caring too much about the job and it’s pretty disrespectful to sit there and chew away like a cow while the company has given you an opportunity to prove yourself to them.
So now it’s time for your interview — you have gone through all possible questions in your head and you have even prepared some of your own. Speak with confidence and don't doubt yourself! Try not to psych yourself out either — meaning don't go through reasons of why it could go wrong. Focus on the positives and what you can do right. A firm handshake and solid eye contact can show that you really mean business and you are not there to mess around. Before the interview even starts you might want to think about thanking them for the opportunity. Sure, your application was good enough to get you to this point but they were kind enough to give you the opportunity in the first place. When the interview is all said and done, stand up, shake the interviewer’s hand firmly again and you should also thank them for giving you the chance to work for their company. Remember that eye contact can make your interview and greetings much more meaningful and can make you memorable.
“What can writing a thank-you note do for me?”
Writing a thank-you note to drop off a day or two after your interview really shows that you care about the job and that you are striving to get it. Doing this is always a great idea and it shows a lot about your character. You may not be the top man for the job because somebody may be more qualified or somebody may have dazzled them in the interview, but with your capability for the job and your successful interview under your belt, writing this thank-you note will just make you stand out above the crowd. Some key things to say in your thank-you note are:
- "Thank you for meeting with me."
- "I am interested in working with your company."
- "I look forward to hearing from you."
This note would be most effective if handwritten but an email or typed note can also benefit you greatly.
Being confident and being prepared are two of the most important aspects of going into any job interview. If you can go in with your head held high and with a smile on your face while being well prepared, you should not have a problem at all.
I hope this post will help some of you guys get ready for any future job interviews you may have. Feel free to post any suggestions, comments or ideas in this thread!
Credit:
- Mike (ImCoolBeans (http://www.virtualteen.org/forums/member.php?u=23558)) for writing this and putting it together
- The old Tips For a Job Interview sticky
- Brandon (Commander Thor (http://www.virtualteen.org/forums/member.php?u=8642)) and Jo (Magenta (http://www.virtualteen.org/forums/member.php?u=27053)) for editing and making adjustments.
So your application has been accepted and you’ve gotten the call that they want to interview you — but what do you do? What do you say? How should you dress? Whether you have never had a job interview before, you had one that didn’t go as planned, or you had one that went really well, you are bound to at least be a little nervous or anxious and that’s okay!
“How should I dress for my job interview?”
You don’t need to go all out; depending on the job a suit isn’t usually necessary. Guys should try to avoid jeans, tee shirts, or anything that looks a little beat up — and certainly wear something clean. Nothing says “don’t hire me” more than looking like a slob. Girls should avoid anything that is too revealing; you’re not going to the beach for the day, you’re trying to be presentable and leave your interviewer with a good image of you. Don’t wear excessive makeup and/or jewelry either; there is a time and place for everything, but in a professional work environment simple and non-flashy attire is generally the way to go. Don’t wear anything to the interview that you would not wear to work!
Think about questions that they may ask you during the interview. Some common ones are (keep in mind this generally applies to teens):
- "What classes do you take in school?"
- "What are your interests?"
- "Why do you want a job here?"
They seem like very simple questions but, when the spotlight is all on you, your answers may not sound as great as they did in your head. This is why you should run through some simple questions prior to your interview in order to fluently answer them when asked.
Coming prepared to ask questions of your own is also a good idea. This can really show your interviewer and potential employer that you are proactive and that you are serious about the position you are applying for. Some good questions to ask while being interviewed are:
- "What do you think is the most important thing I need to know about this job?"
- "What kinds of opportunities might there be for me to learn new skills here?"
- "Is there anything else you would like to know about me?"
- "Will you be training me, or will I be trained by someone else?"
If you’re relying on public transportation, know the routes and schedules and expect delays so you can plan how to get there on time in any situation. Don't use slang or swear. Be polite, positive, and professional throughout the interview. Do not chew gum, it comes across as you not caring too much about the job and it’s pretty disrespectful to sit there and chew away like a cow while the company has given you an opportunity to prove yourself to them.
So now it’s time for your interview — you have gone through all possible questions in your head and you have even prepared some of your own. Speak with confidence and don't doubt yourself! Try not to psych yourself out either — meaning don't go through reasons of why it could go wrong. Focus on the positives and what you can do right. A firm handshake and solid eye contact can show that you really mean business and you are not there to mess around. Before the interview even starts you might want to think about thanking them for the opportunity. Sure, your application was good enough to get you to this point but they were kind enough to give you the opportunity in the first place. When the interview is all said and done, stand up, shake the interviewer’s hand firmly again and you should also thank them for giving you the chance to work for their company. Remember that eye contact can make your interview and greetings much more meaningful and can make you memorable.
“What can writing a thank-you note do for me?”
Writing a thank-you note to drop off a day or two after your interview really shows that you care about the job and that you are striving to get it. Doing this is always a great idea and it shows a lot about your character. You may not be the top man for the job because somebody may be more qualified or somebody may have dazzled them in the interview, but with your capability for the job and your successful interview under your belt, writing this thank-you note will just make you stand out above the crowd. Some key things to say in your thank-you note are:
- "Thank you for meeting with me."
- "I am interested in working with your company."
- "I look forward to hearing from you."
This note would be most effective if handwritten but an email or typed note can also benefit you greatly.
Being confident and being prepared are two of the most important aspects of going into any job interview. If you can go in with your head held high and with a smile on your face while being well prepared, you should not have a problem at all.
I hope this post will help some of you guys get ready for any future job interviews you may have. Feel free to post any suggestions, comments or ideas in this thread!
Credit:
- Mike (ImCoolBeans (http://www.virtualteen.org/forums/member.php?u=23558)) for writing this and putting it together
- The old Tips For a Job Interview sticky
- Brandon (Commander Thor (http://www.virtualteen.org/forums/member.php?u=8642)) and Jo (Magenta (http://www.virtualteen.org/forums/member.php?u=27053)) for editing and making adjustments.