A teen’s job interview can be a nerve-wracking experience. They may worry about answering interview questions, if they’ll do well and what to wear.
Knowing basic interview etiquette can help teens feel more confident and prepare them for the interview. This includes dressing appropriately and being on time. It also includes asking questions and not checking their phone during the interview.
Teenage interview etiquette advice https://lluxxall.com/ completes with tips on modern fashion empowerment by planning and appearance.
1. Arrive on Time
It’s important for teens to learn how to manage their time and responsibilities so that they can show up on time for interviews. It also demonstrates that they’re dependable, which is an important factor for many employers who often interview multiple candidates and don’t want to waste their time waiting around for one person who shows up late.
If your teen does find themselves running late, they should politely call or text the interviewer and explain what’s happened. They should also be willing to reschedule the interview for another time.
2. Dress Appropriately
As any teen who’s had an interview knows, the way you look in your clothing is a huge part of how you are perceived. For example, if you’re applying for an office job in which tailored suits are the norm and you show up in club wear, the interviewer will assume that you don’t understand or respect the company’s culture.
Regardless of the season, teenagers should wear clothes that are clean, wrinkle-free, and well-fitting. For example, teenagers interviewing for summer jobs can pair dark khaki pants or skirts with a light-coloured polo shirt and belt.
3. Don’t Bring Your Parents
It’s best for teens to go to their interviews alone. This way they can speak for themselves and connect with the interviewer without feeling pressure from their parents.
Encourage your teen to practice answering common job interview questions with someone else before their actual interview. Having this experience may help them feel more confident during the real interview process.
It’s also a good idea for them to determine 2-3 key ideas they want to communicate to the interviewer before their interview. This way their answers will have more focus.
4. Don’t Call the Employer
Parents might think they’re helping a child out, but calling the employer can actually be a bad idea. It makes the teen look irresponsible and desperate. Most interviewers will give a timeline for a decision and it’s unprofessional to try to speed things up.
Encourage your teen to prepare for their interview by reviewing the questions they may be asked. This will help them decide what strengths they want to highlight and how to weave those qualities into their answers.
A parent, sibling or friend can also role play with your teen during practice interviews to help them feel prepared and confident going into the real thing. Many state workforce centers do mock interviews for job seekers.
5. Don’t Text the Employer
We all use texting as a quick way to communicate with friends and family. But during a job interview, it can appear rude. It can also give the impression that your teen is flippant and lacks professionalism.
Encourage your teen to only use text messages for work-related reasons and avoid discussing their weekend plans or anything personal, says Ducci. It’s also important for them to remember that an employer’s responses to their texts should be professional and concise.
Make sure your teen knows the current minimum wage and has solid answers to questions about their availability. They should be prepared to explain any non-essential activities they have on their calendar that they could cut out if the position required them to work weekends, for example.
6. Don’t Bring Gum
A teen job interview can be nerve racking. Some teens find it helpful to smoke or chew gum to calm their nerves, but this is a big no-no at an interview. Chewing gum ruins the impression you make on your interviewer and makes it difficult to articulate yourself properly.
If you have to chew some gum, take a mint instead and make sure you spit it out before entering the room. It is also wise to bring written directions for the interview location in case your phone or GPS malfunctions.
7. Don’t Curse
If you curse, it will only make the interviewer uncomfortable and may cause them to question your judgment as a future employee. Plus, it will set a bad precedent and younger interviewees may emulate your language, which is definitely not what you want to happen!
Never voluntarily mention your weaknesses (unless they ask you that standard interview question) and don’t bring up past mistakes, unless it is in the context of how you have overcome them. Bringing up negative things will only show you are not interested in the job and that is not what employers are looking for.