Advice and tips for a job interview...please?

[DarkSunshine]

So, I have only recently gathered enough courage to join this forum and i guess it's going to take me some time to open up and feel comfortable but here's my first step. Sorry if this thread sounds a bit selfish.

Basically, I'm only just the minimum working age limit (14 and 8 months) and i have been applying and reapplying consistently for a number of jobs for the past 8 months - all of which were unsuccessful. After completely giving up for months i suddenly decided to try again. I had released 4 applications all at once, and while 1 was unsuccessful, 2 are on hold i received an email the very next day calling for an interview. My interview is next week Wednesday afternoon and i have already started getting extremely nervous and overthinking. This interview would be my first - and obviously the furthest i have gotten into the hiring process.

So before the Wednesday I wanted to ask anyone if they could give me interview tips (how to answer questions, what not to say, what to wear, gestures, etc.) and if possible share first interview experiences too. I hope to receive at least a couple replies so i can check back in and notify my friends if the interview was successful or not. Thank you everyone x

P.S. excuse my English and any errors made and / or if i have unintentionally hurt or offended anyone.

[4x4]

Be ontime

Be organised

Good nighs sleep before hand

Dont need to wear a suit but dress neat.

They may ask you questions out of box, relax and answer them how you feel.

Bring any qualifactions you may have.

No offence but your at a age no-one should expect you to be highly qualified and going for a prefeshinal roll. When i had interviews for that age it was more a friendly chat. Think of what hobbies you have they will ask if you have none just pick something your interested in. They may not give you job after interview dont feel dishartened just wait they may call with good news. If you dont get job you will have learnt more then you relised doing this.

Best of luck mate hope you do well.

[DarkSunshine]

Thank you so much. I'll practice some of those questions. Honestly, i just want this job more than ever considering how close i got, and i also feel like prioritizing much of my time to work and school, i will be able to distract myself from problems and everything else. So this job means a lot to me. Your support and advice is kindly appreciated. Thank You!

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi DarkSunshine,

Thank you for your post - rest assured it's not selfish at all! The forums are here to support you!

Congratulations on your first interview! I'm not sure if this post is too late but I'd love to hear how you got on.

4x4 gave you some great tips and I'll try and share mine.

• Have a look at the business beforehand, so you know where you have to go and you have a good idea of what sort of work you might be doing. If theres a job description have a really good read of that so you know what sort of things are expected from you and what feels important to the role.
• If you've made it to the interview, that means your resume is a-ok! Now it's just about if you'd be a good fit for the company. Even if the questions are daunting or you don't feel ready, know that they're just people behind all the seriousness - mums, dads, aunts, uncles. I don't know why but that always comforts me in interviews because it always feels intimidating!
• If you can, show them that you're really keen for this position (or the next one). Employers know that at 14 it's not your big career choice, but if you can get the idea across that it's not just about some money it can go a long way!
• Smile! Smile! Smile!
• Remember to breathe! There's lots of apps that can be really handy or just having little techniques to practice before you get in there.
• Know that it's totally okay if you do not get the job and can sometimes just be unlucky. Having applied for lots of jobs and gotten lots of interviews it can be hard not to take it personally. It can be kinda nice to reward yourself with something fun after for making it that far.

All the best!

[DarkSunshine]

Thank you so much. I had my job interview yesterday, and I somehow managed to get the job on the spot. I finally feel so relieved...me and my family are currently financially very unstable and I'm so glad I can now help with that. I've also found a way to distract myself with the many things in life. I'm extremely happy.

My welcome party is next week and I just can't wait.

Thank you, to the both of you, for all your support and advice.

[RicardoD]

Congratulations on your job DarkSunshine! How has the first few weeks gone?

Been off line for a few weeks so sorry I couldn't chip in earlier - the advice above is fantastic though. At 14 or so you're not going to be asked to present the board, they're generally just looking someone that is hard working, honest, enthusiastic and will get on well with the others in the team. Your CV got you through the door, they just want to check that you'll fit in with the team 🙂

Did they ask anything tricky in the interview? For future reference most companies these days will ask about behavioural questions rather than specific academic questions i.e. not the square root of 536, but more scenario based questions such as tell about a time that you took a risk, tell me about a time when you had to work within a team, tell me about a time when you had a challenging customer. All these questions aren't made to trip you up, they just want to know if what you did was logical, did you ask for help when you felt you didn't know the answer etc. In each case set the scene, explain what you did, and then what the result was. For example, here's something i made up - "I met one elderly customer that was really mad and shouting at me, but I calmly asked him what was the matter and what I could do to help. It took a few goes and I was talking quite loud as he couldn't hear me. It turns out his hearing aid was playing up so together we went and found some new batteries and I helped him install some new ones. Every time I see Mr Edwards now he always says hello and comes over for a chat". This shows that you were patient with a customer, tried to understand the problem and were calm about it, that you worked out the problem with them, found a solution,went over and above what is expected by fixing the hearing aid itself, and now you've formed a trusting relationship with the customer to ensure they come back. Win win win!

Again, super glad you got the job and really hope it's working out for you. Well done on posting in the forum, everyone here is eager to help if they can.

[DarkSunshine]

Hi RicardoD,

I appreciate your reply. Thank you so much!

I haven't started yet but my first shifts are scheduled pretty soon. My interview wasn't as tough as I had stressed on it to be. And yes, thank you for the reference, they did actually ask me questions along those lines. The lady could clearly tell I was nervous and so rather than lying about my flaws I told her if there was anything to get in the way of me and my working capabilities, it would be my under confidence - to which I also said I would work on through the job.

The scenario you presented is very accurate, thank you! I will definitely try my best to serve my customers with care, not just for the customer, but me and my workplace.

Thank you so much for your reply once again, much appreciated.

- DarkSunshine

[_bethy94]

Hi DarkSunshine,

I only just came across your thread but wanted to wish you a big congratulations on getting your job. I wish you nothing but happiness as you embark through the workforce.

All the best.

[DarkSunshine]

Thank you so much _bethy94. I am overwhelmed by and really appreciate everyone's kindness. This place really does feel like my happy place. Thanks again.