Your
first job is more important than you think. It sets the pace for the rest of
your career. People who are lucky to work for a good company right from a young
age have a good work ethic instilled in them right from the get-go. These
ethics help them become successful later when they venture to run a business
and become independent.
Pre-interview preparations
1. Dress appropriately
This
is the most important job interview tip for a teenager. Just because you are a
teenager doesn’t mean interviewers are going to be lenient about your looks.
Your appearance is very crucial, particularly when you are applying for a
social job like a barista or a cashier. However, do not go overboard and wear
something outlandish. Basic office wear like trousers and full sleeves shirt
would suffice.
2. Arrive half-an-hour early
Most people who arrive late for an interview fail to close the deal. Don’t carry on your high school casual demeanor to your job. A job interview is a serious business meeting where you are given an opportunity to sell your skills. So, arrive half an hour early and get acquainted with the place and people in your new workplace. Start making friends even before you clear your interview.
At the time of the interview
1. Put your smartphone on flight mode
There
is nothing wrong with carrying your smartphone to your interview and most
interviewers won’t mind if it rings once or twice; while in the interview. But
a phone call can throw you off or distract you from the job at hand. This may
not seem like a deal but you want to be completely focused on your interview
and nothing else. Putting your smartphone on flight mode is an essential tip
for teen job seekers.
2. Be confident. Don’t hesitate
I
don’t want to generalize and say that most people in their teen years are
confident and believe that they can take on the entire world all by themselves.
But if you are a confident person, your chances of clearing the interview
become way higher than someone who is meek. Even if you are attending a job
interview for a passive position like a behind the door clerk or something,
being confident in your ability to get the job done is quintessential.
Post-interview follow-up
1. Send a thank-you note
Like
any good salesperson, you should do a proper follow-up letting the hiring
manager know that you are looking forward to hearing from them and won’t stop
unless you close the deal. Sending a thank-you note via email is one of the
most appropriate ways to do so. This post by TheMuse has some really good
time-proven thank you note templates that you can literally copy and paste for
your own use.
Summary
To
reiterate, a job interview is just like any business meeting where you are
expected to maintain certain standards and find solutions to help the other
party. Being selfish or arrogant are not the qualities hiring managers are
looking for. Any company or establishment needs people who are selfless problem
solvers.
