5 Ways College Teens Can Shine in the Job Interview
If you’re a teen looking to get ahead with a summer job, here are five ways you can shine in job interviews.
Show enthusiasm for working in the specific job and company
Teens who are applying for a summer job should know that hiring managers love to see enthusiasm for getting a summer job in that particular company. One of the questions an employer might ask a summer job applicant is, "Why do you want to work here?" A good answer could include talking about the products or services that the company provides. Do you like the food in that restaurant? Do you like the music they play in the store or the way the store always looks? All of these things can show enthusiasm and knowledge about the role.
School grades, attendance and participation matter
Yes, it is a summer job interview and the manager is not expecting teens to bring a report card. They are, however, expecting teens to speak about school activities and involvement. Sharing information about grades, campus clubs, attendance and participation in extra-curricular activities, can set a teen job seeker apart from the competition. Managers will tend to draw a parallel between the type of student you are and type of summer job worker you could be.
Show up on time dressed for an interview; even though it is a summer job
It sounds really simple, but for teens looking for a summer job, this is the best example of professionalism. Showing up on time and dressed for the interview shows respect for the manager and lets the company know that you take the summer job opportunity seriously.
Speak about job skills and how those skills relate to the job
Many teens think that certain summer jobs are no-brainers and require no type of skill. Not true. Whether the summer job is in a supermarket, at the corner fast food restaurant or in a big chain store at the mall, there are job skills specific to the job. For example, some of the job skills related to a summer job in food service include teamwork and the ability to speak with customers. If you have examples of your job skills in these areas, talk about them in your summer job interview. Teens who are athletes can, for example, speak about their teamwork skills.
Bring your personality to your summer job interview and get excited about moving out of your comfort zone
Sometimes teenagers do not yet know what they are capable of. Do you envision yourself being a strong salesperson in retail, but are nervous about going after such a role? It’s important to recognize that the jobs you get as a teenager can be great learning experiences and build a strong foundation for the rest of your career. Go after the job you really want instead of staying in your comfort zone. Is sales uninteresting to you? Then explore roles where you’ll be able to work behind the scenes like stocking inventory.