Call center interviews are unique in the world of job interviews…

The hiring manager is looking for a specific skillset and candidate for the role, so if you haven’t prepared yourself for the interview in any way yet, now is the time to do so. 

The following interview tips for call center jobs give a well-rounded understanding of what you should be focusing on before and during your interview.

If you’re serious about landing this role, then take this time to get prepared. 

27+ Interview Tips For Call Center Jobs With Sample Questions And Answers

Key interview tips for call center jobs

This article offers valuable tips, going into detail for before and during the interview, as well as offering key example answers you can use. Below is a short summary of some of the tips, though read the full article to get the most out of your interview.

1. Familiarize yourself with the initial job listing – especially the specific skills and qualities that were expressed in the posting.

2. Research the company and get to know it as best you can before the interview.

3. Be mindful of your tone of voice and body language during the interview.

4. Consider what the interviewer really wants to know about you – are you a positive person? Do you have strong communication skills? 

5. Prepare answers to the most common call center interview questions (as detailed in the article with sample questions and answers).

In preparation: Interview tips for call center jobs

Take time to research and prepare for your interview so that you have more confidence walking into the meeting. 

6. Read the job posting carefully.

Note the key skills that they are asking for. There will be call-taker skills specific to the role, so notice if there is anything on the list that looks unique so that you can be sure to reference it during the interview.

For example – if you are required to up-sell for this role, find a way to share that you are proficient in up-selling during the interview.

7. Research the company that you are applying for. 

You’ll be given the training you need when you get the job, though it’s vital for you to know as much as you can about the business and their services before you step into the interview.

Call center representatives are the front-end of a company, and people will no doubt be asking you many questions daily, so start learning about the company as soon as you can. 

8. Rehearse the interview. 

Find a trusted friend or family member to run through a mock interview so that you get a chance to practice answering questions. Take on their feedback if they notice something that you might not have been aware of (like your body language, or the tone of your voice). 

9. Prepare answers to common questions. 

If you aren’t sure the general questions you’ll likely be asked during the interview, we’ve included a section at the end of the article which gives example questions and answers for you to refer to. 

10. Do some social research.

Ask friends, family, coworkers – anyone you can – about their own experiences with customer service calls from different companies.

This ‘social research’ will help to get a well-rounded view of what qualities the best call center employees have and what doesn’t work well in this role. You can then take this information into the interview to remember when you are speaking about your own personal qualities and strengths as a worker.

During the interview: Best practices

The following interview tips for call center jobs are specific to the actual interview process. These are essential to be mindful of on the interview day so that you can be sure that you’re making the best impression you can. 

11. Get there early.

Arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled interview time. When you arrive this early, it is considered ‘on time’ in the professional world. Any later, and you will not come across as respectful and serious about the role. So remember, less than 15 minutes early is ‘late.’

12. Remember your preparation.

From the preparation that you’ve already done, you can now find ways to reference this information. Speak about the company and what you already know, reference any achievements the company has had, speak about the qualities that you learned were desirable in call center workers.

Researching is a waste if you don’t actively put the info out into the conversation. Show what you know!

13. Be mindful of your body language and tone. 

Know that the way you answer is almost as important as the answers themselves. Are you speaking clearly and loud enough? Do you sound friendly and positive? Are you using hand gestures and are you sitting in an open way (not crossing your arms)?

14. Use specific examples. 

If this isn’t your first call center job, then it will be valuable for you to reference specific scenarios in your past job when you answer questions.

Don’t just say ‘I handle difficult customers well’, instead speak about a time where you had a difficult call and how you handled it for that specific scenario. If it’s your first call center job, then use examples from your schooling or everyday life.

15. Breathe and take your time. 

Have patience with yourself to think through answers. Take space between the questions and giving your answer. It’s far better than rushing through and then ‘umming’ and ‘ahhing’ when you feel stumped at an answer that you need to think about. Silence is ok; it shows your thoughtfulness and ability to be confident in yourself in this patience. 

What the hiring manager is really looking for: Interview tips for call center jobs

When you can understand what the hiring manager is really looking for in a prospective call center employee, you can tailor your answers to fit this image. So below are some key things that the hiring manager will be observing.

16. Key call center skills.

Beyond up-selling and callback, they might also be looking for your knowledge of key customer service tools like Assisty, UserVoice and Zoho Support, for example.

17. Confidence.

They want to see that you are confident in yourself so that they can have confidence in your to be outspoken and clear in your calls.

18. Strong communication skills.

Since you’re communicating verbally in your everyday role, the way in which you communicate during the interview will be telling for the interviewer to see how your communication skills are. Be clear, speak loud enough, use direct language, be respectful, and sound interested.

19. Honesty.

This goes for all roles in all industries. Employers want to trust their employee’s word, so being honest in the interview means telling the truth in your answers. If you don’t know something, then say this. They will like you to give an honest answer.

20. Calm and collected energy.

Keeping calm and composed in the face of difficult customers is an essential call center skill. So show your calm and collected energy in the interview by speaking slowly and (as mentioned above) allowing time and silence to be there when you are formulating your answer.

21. Friendliness.

Positive and happy people are more likable. If the interviewer likes you, chances are you’ll have more customers also get this positive vibe. The hiring manager will be looking for friendly candidates. 

Common questions and sample answers: Interview tips for call center jobs

There’s a good chance that you’ll be asked some of these questions below in your interview. Here are some possible ways that you can answer the following call center interview questions. 

22. Question: ‘Why are you interested to work in a call center?’

Answer: ‘I’ve always loved communicating with people, and I know my strength is my verbal communication, so it makes sense to me to put my interest and key personality quality into the professional world, making this my job.’

23. Question: ‘What are the key qualities of a great customer service representative?’

Answer: ‘Listening is key, as there is nothing worse than a customer feeling ‘brushed off’ and not heard. Also, patience to take time to understand their needs, and also objectiveness to not take things personally, especially when dealing with difficult customers that will come up often.’

24. Question: ‘How do you deal with unreasonable/difficult customers?’

Answer: ‘I first listen and repeat back their question/comment so that they feel understood, then I let them know I will do what I can. Overall, I stay neutral and not take their aggression or complaints personally, which helps me stay calm.’

25. Question: ‘What are your main strengths as a call center employee?’

Answer: ‘I would say my positive energy. I’ve always been called an optimistic person, and I find that it is well received on calls as I feel like this energy can brighten someone’s day.’

26. Question: ‘Do you have experience handling multiple calls at the same time?’

Answer: ‘Yes, I’ve used hold many times in a way where customers aren’t left waiting long, and my memory is very strong to keep the thread of each call clear and not get confused between customers.’

27. Question: ‘What is your favorite part of being a call center employee?’

Answer: ‘I honestly love talking to people. I find it dynamic and interesting to be able to speak to many different people each day. Also, being able to solve problems for others is very gratifying.’

If you are looking to make the most out of your next telemarketing job, don’t forget to check out my post on the best online sales training courses that you can take for free. These classes will help you to sell more and be an effective salesperson.

References

• https://career.guru99.com/top-25-call-center-job-interview-questions/
• https://www.mastersonstaffing.com/blog/14-commonly-asked-job-interview-questions-answer/
• https://www.thebalancecareers.com/people-skills-interview-questions-for-call-center-jobs-2059726
• https://www.thejobnetwork.com/8-common-interview-questions-applying-call-center-answer/
• https://work.chron.com/call-center-interview-preparation-13305.html

Congratulations on exploring your opportunities to get your first job! Making it through to the interview is a good sign, as many job applicants may not arrive to this stage.

This guide contains valuable interview tips for first time job seekers specifically. If you’re only taking general advice about interviews, you may miss out on the subtle differences that come along with first time job interviews.

 Read on to learn how best to prepare before, during and after your first job interview, with some sample questions for you to consider your answers to as well.

27+ Interview Tips For First Time Job Seekers

How to prepare: Interview tips for first time job seekers

Before you take the interview, you can do some ground work through researching the company and compiling all the info you need to walk into that interview confident that you can roll with whatever may come up.

1. Learn about the company before your interview. 

Google it, see relevant recent news, scour the website, go into the physical location, if possible. That way the interviewer will tell that you are familiar with the business with the way you answer questions by referencing what you already know about the company. 

2. Look back to the job posting and highlight keywords. 

These keywords will be under the required or desired skills and qualities, as well as the responsibilities that the role includes. Write out a list of these and remember them so that they are in your mind and you take them into account in how you word your answers and explanations during the interview. 

3. Write a list of your personal strengths.

Next to each one, write how that strength may help you in a relevant scenario when it comes to this role. For example, ‘I am good at multitasking’, and if the job is a hospitality barista role, you might imagine that it could help you take orders while you are making coffee at the same time. 

4. Practice the interview.

Practicing with a trusted friend, family member, or perhaps a teacher will be very helpful. Go a level up and even record your interview so you can see how you look and sounds. This is a very telling exercise, as you may be presenting an image that you had no idea you were! 

5. Select an outfit early. 

You should aim for business-smart attire, looking professional and clean-cut. If you wait until the day of the interview and realise you don’t have any professional style clothes, then you’ll be stuck. Prep what you are going to wear beforehand. In case you need to get some more clothes, or borrow an outfit, you’ll have time to do so. 

6. Plan your journey to the interview. 

If you can visit the location sometime before the meeting, that would be great as you will then know how long it will take to get there. You don’t want to risk turning up late because you got lost trying to find the building or room. 

During the interview tips for first time job seekers

There are some key things to remember in order to feel like you’re making the best impression that you can as the interview is happening. Below are the most important tips for the actual interview process for first timers. 

7. Arrive very early. 

If you’ve never had a professional meeting before, then you may not realise that arriving ‘on time’, as in 9:00am when the interview is scheduled for 9:00am is considered late. So know that 15 minutes (at least) is when you need to arrive. 

8. Nerves will be present. Breathe and be patient with yourself. 

Sometimes first job interviews can be so intimidating that the applicant is rushing through their answers in a bid to get it over with as fast as possible. This will show your nerves and will not be a good sign to the hiring manager. So take your time, breathe in between sentences, and let yourself think before you answer. 

9. Make eye contact and have open body language. 

Open style body language is essential. Sit up tall, don’t cross your arms over your chest or clasp your hands together, and adopt a relaxed energy so that you look confident in yourself.

10. Be honest. 

If the interviewer asks a question where you feel like the real answer might not sound so good, like ‘can you use excel expertly?’ Don’t lie just to sound better. If you get the role and it comes out later that you don’t know, you could forever be seen as untrustworthy. Instead, answer in a way where you are being honest, yet also offering how you can meet this requirement, for example, ‘I have a basic knowledge of excel, but I am willing to put time in to learn more specific skills with the program.’

11. Be positive – smile!

You don’t need to go overboard and act crazy happy if you’re not feeling it – that will be a little too overbearing. Simply get into an optimistic mindset before the interview, get enough sleep the night before, do what you need to do to get into a good mood, and let this positive energy be felt by the interviewer.

Best way to follow up after an interview for first time first time job seekers

job seekers

After the interview is complete (we bet that feels good to be over!), there are a few steps to take to increase your chance of success. The following tips to follow up the interview will keep you in the mind of the interviewer for longer, rather than potentially getting lost in the sea of applicants and not leaving a lasting impression. 

12. Use their name.

Directly after the interview, as you are saying goodbye, use their first name and say ‘I look forward to hearing your response, I enjoyed this meeting and feel like this role is such a great match for us.’ This shows that you are confident and simply using their first name again will be a memorable moment for them.

13. Be patient.

Wait a day (24 hours) until you send a follow-up thank you email. The email shouldn’t be you asking for their decision. Just say thank you for the interview and again, that you look forward to hearing from them.

14. Wait a week.

If you don’t receive a response from your follow up within a week, send a second follow-up email asking whether they received your first email, and if they need more information from you to help with their decision.

15. Relax! 

You’ve done all you could do, so there’s no need to work yourself up thinking about what you should have said or done differently. It’s done, and it’s in the interviewers hands now.

Questions to ask the interviewer

Some lesser known interview tips for first time job seekers include asking some thoughtful questions to the interviewer. They may outright ask you ‘do you have any questions for me?’ Or there may be a space in the conversation that opens up for you to ask the following questions. These will show that you are serious about the role and inspired about the prospect of working for them.

16. Where do you see this company headed in the next 3 years?

17. What do you love most about working for [company name]?

18. What’s one of the most memorable moments of your own career?

19. What qualities do you feel the best workers have?

20. Is there an opportunity to advance within the company?

21. How long do you feel this recruitment process will last?

Common questions: Interview tips for first time job seekers

Preparing answers to the most commonly asked questions will help you when you are put on the spot. The following questions may come up in the interview, so read through to be prepared to answer. The tip here is to write down your own answers to these questions, or practice out loud what you could say to each of these questions.  

22. ‘Why do you want to work here?’

23. ‘What is your availability?’

24. ‘What is one of your career goals?’

25. ‘Why do you feel ready for your first job?’

26. ‘How do you handle stressful situations?’

27. ‘How do you work within a team?’

To learn more, check out my posts on the best interview tips for teens and also some fast food resume objectives to add.

References

https://www.fastweb.com/student-news/articles/practice-interview-questions-for-first-time-job-seekers

https://www.livecareer.com/resources/interviews/prep/top-10-job-interview-tips-jobseekers

https://careersandmoney.com/interview-tips-for-first-time-job-seekers/

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/first-job-interview-tips-2061337

Just because an internship is not a paid job that you’re applying for, doesn’t mean that it isn’t an important moment in your career. Internships are your entry into your industry, and often a doorway into the company that you want to work for.

This means that taking your interview seriously is vital to enhance your chance of success in reaching your career goals. 

Our interview tips for internships take into account the necessary prep work you need to do before the interview, not only during it.

It’s important to know which key areas you should focus on in your preparations, as internship interviews are different from regular job interviews. Read on for expert tips to ace your interview and land the internship of your dreams!

Land The Job With 25+ Interview Tips For Internships 2024

Key interview tips for internships

Below is a brief summary of key points, though you’ll benefit from reading through the details of the article to get specific, actionable advice for your interview experience.

1. Do your research of the industry, company, and role that you would most likely wish to hold during your career. Come in prepared to have plenty of relevant talking points.

2. Arrive early, dress professionally and keep a positive attitude (smile!)

3. Prepare questions to ask the interviewer and also prepare answers to commonly asked interview questions (examples detailed below).

4. Follow up after the interview to create a lasting impression. 

Before the interview tips for internships

As soon as your interview is scheduled, it’s time to start your prep-work for the interview. The following before the interview tips for internships are where you should start in this process. 

5. Research! 

Even if you already have a good understanding of the company, there will always be more you can learn. Check out their website, the history of the company, information about how it has evolved over the years, and any recent news that it may be featured in.

This can give you key talking points in your interview and show that you care about the business by doing your homework. 

6. Bring samples

If it’s applicable to the role, bring samples of past work you have done. If it’s a creative industry, you may have assignments and creations from your studies that you can bring (whether pictures or the documents themselves).

Also, bring along any research papers or other files that convey that this is an industry that you have studied with expertise and have a passion for. (Note: don’t bring samples of work that didn’t receive a high grade!)

7. Prepare answers and questions

We’ve included some sample questions and answers for the most commonly discussed areas that internship interviews go into, so read all the way to the end to see those examples.

Also, think about what questions you want to ask the interviewer. This could be about the company, about their own career journey, or about the future of the industry. Use this opportunity to show that you are thoughtful and engaged in the subject matter. 

8. Choose professional attire

The general rule for any interview is to dress smart – in business attire. Even if it is a more casual industry, you are showing your professional side in the interview and how you are taking this opportunity seriously. Cover tattoos and take out piercings where possible.

9. Practice!

If you have a willing friend, family member, colleague or teacher that’ll sit down with you and run through a ‘mock’ interview, this ‘dress rehearsal’ can really help to quell any pre-interview nerves. It’ll also give you feedback on your energy and expression before you go for the real thing.

During the interview tips for internships

First impressions are lasting impressions, meaning that if you are not aware of how you show up in the interview, you won’t be remembered as a key candidate. It’ll be more difficult to stand out from the crowd of other applicants if you don’t put in the extra work. So, be mindful of the following tips to make sure you’re creating a positive lasting impression.

10. Arrive early

Which is actually ‘on time.’ Arriving at least 15 minutes before the set time is actually the time you should always arrive at an interview. If you arrive later than this, or at the exact scheduled time, then in the professional world, it’s considered ‘late.’

11. Detail examples

It’s very important to not only answer questions in the most simple way but to build upon it by providing real-work examples of your past experience and accomplishments. It’s not enough to just say, ‘I was promoted in my high school job’. 

You’ll need to explain why you were promoted, what that shifted in how you worked, and as you explain it, point to key qualities that you have that would be valuable for the role you’re applying for. So remember during the interview this key tip: answer through examples. 

12. Take your time

With nerves comes the tendency to talk too much or rush through answers. As much as you can (this is where the mock interview comes in handy), slow down and think through answers. Breathe in between sentences. Know that it’s ok to take some silence to consider your answer, and be patient with yourself. Patience expresses confidence.

13. Communicate with the interviewer

This is more than answering the questions, but actually checking in with them if that was all the info they needed. Simply saying at the end of your answer ‘does this answer your question? Or, would you like me to elaborate?’ is a great way to do this.

14. Smile

Simple, but powerful. Ultimately, happy people are more attractive in every sense of the word. No one wants to hire a dull, passive or heavy-feeling person. So remember to smile and keep a positive attitude in how you express what you share.

After the interview tips for internships

Following up after your interview will be beneficial to keep yourself on the interviewer’s radar. It could mean the difference between being remembered and considered for the role, and being forgotten over the sea of applicants, if there were others who also had a good interview. The following tips will be valuable for your follow-up process after the interview.

15. Be patient!

Wait 24 hours before you write a follow-up email. Don’t bombard the interviewer with an email straight after the interview. 

16. Say thank you

Your follow-up email should ideally be an expression of gratitude for the opportunity, not demanding their decision. 

17. Wait a week

If you receive no response in one week, then send a second follow-up email, where you can politely enquire about their decision.

18. Give additional info

Add to your follow-up emails the offering to give extra references or answer additional questions that they may have, to show that you are very much still interested in the role. 

Interview tips for internships: Common questions and answers 

As promised, here are some common interview questions that could very likely come up in your internship application interview. We’ve included sample answers so that you have an idea of how to answer these questions best.

19. Question: ‘How do you deal with stressful situations?’

Answer: ‘I’ve always been a calm person naturally, but of course I understand stressful situations arise. I think my capacity to look at the bigger picture allows me to not get swept up in stress. I tend to take a step back, see the situation from different sides, and find a more objective way to problem solve.’ 

20. Question: ‘How do you work within a team?’

Answer: ‘I love working in team environments because not only is it gratifying to share the load and have specifically allocated tasks to work on, but I find that I learn a lot in the process of teamwork from others in how they do things and how they think about certain situations. I find team-based work environments great to advance my own skills and capacities.’

21. Question: ‘What has been a substantial challenge in your life, and how did you overcome it?’

Answer: ‘In my personal life, I have had to support myself financially from a young age, when I was still in school. At first, it was difficult to manage to study with work, but over the years I’ve developed a great balance at being able to feel independent and secure. I think my resilience and propensity to not give up when things are hard is how I overcame this.’

22. Question: ‘What is an accomplishment you are most proud of?’

Answer: ‘In school, I was awarded various accolades over the years in my English work. I am most proud of these awards, as English was always my favorite subject and one that I am passionate about even now. Literature, writing, and content creation give me joy, so to know that I’m producing high-quality material and that I’ve developed expertise in this area makes me proud.’

23. Question: ‘Where do you see yourself in your career in 5 years’ time?’

Answer: ‘I see myself having worked in this industry for that entire time, ideally in a management/leadership position.’

24. Question: ‘Why have you applied to intern at this company?’

Answer: ‘Since learning about the work that [company name] has done over the years, I knew that this was the type of company that I could find a sense of belonging in sharing the same core mission of [insert the company’s values]. I believe in the work that you do, and I want to use my talents to continue to evolve the industry through my work with [company name].

25. Question: ’Do you have experience leading others?’

Answer: ‘I do, not only in informal settings with always taking the lead role in a group setting but also in my leadership roles in [insert extracurricular activities or after school jobs, where relevant].’

If you are looking for more guides, check out my post on the best free online time management courses where you can learn to be more time effective in your new internship!

References

• https://www.thebalancecareers.com/top-interviewing-tips-1986919
• https://www.themuse.com/advice/internship-interview-questions-answers
• https://targetjobs.co.uk/internships/advice/472568-how-to-answer-common-internship-interview-questions
• https://www.experience.com/advice/job-search/interviews/interview-tips-for-interns/
• https://www.thebalancecareers.com/top-interviewing-tips-1986919

If you’ve been dreaming of getting accepted into a certain university for years, then making it to application interviews is an exciting, and scary moment.

If you don’t come into the interview with proper preparation, then you could stumble through the interview, damaging your chances of getting accepted.

The following interview tips for university applications have been compiled to offer you the most valuable information to know before and during your interview to leave a lasting, positive impression.

We’ve also included key questions that are often asked, as well as sample answers for you to remember for your interview. Good luck!

23+ College Interview Tips For University Applications & Applicants

Before the meeting: Interview tips for university applications 

Preparing for the interview is a key step in the process, as the more you prepare, the less nervous you will feel. There is a lot that you can do before the interview begins.

Take your time to research the school, get clear on the reason why you want to go there, and even practice your interview with another person. The interviewer will surely be able to tell if you are prepared, or just ‘winging it’ on the day.

1. Research the location

Look up the location and if it’s a place you’ve never been before, either visit it at a time before your interview (in case it’s a hard building/office to find) or leave super early before the interview to factor in time potentially getting lost. University interviews are often at the campus, and campuses can be notoriously difficult to navigate.

2. Research the university in detail

Do more than just browse the website. Look for news online about the university, read up on its history, see what advancements it is currently making in different fields. Look at which areas the university is most known for (Arts? Science? Sports?) This gives you a great background knowledge base for talking points if it comes up in the interview.

3. Research the course that you are looking to be accepted into

Consider why you are interested in this course, and what this university has to give that is unique in its offering of the course. One of the questions they may ask you is ‘why are you interested in studying this course at our university?’

4. Prepare yourself for common questions (see below)

Be prepared to answer specific questions that are most common in university interviews. Read to the bottom of the article to see sample answers for key questions. 

5. Be ready to ask questions

If you show your confidence by asking the interviewer questions, you’ll come across as an interested and engaged candidate who thinks for themselves. This is a key quality that university admissions interviewers are looking for. 

6. Be very familiar with your application essay/personal statement.

This would have been in your written application, and there is a chance that your interviewer will invite space to elaborate on what you wrote. If it was a while ago that you wrote it, best to read it over and re-familiarize yourself with it before the interview.

7. Practice the interview

If you can do a ‘mock interview’ with a friend, family member, or even better – a teacher – that would give you great insight into how you’ll perform.

During the interview tips for university applications 

These are some top things to remember in your college interview in terms of how you answer questions and express yourself. The way you present yourself and how you speak could be the deciding factor in the admissions interviewer’s choice. Know that first impressions count.

8. On-time is late

Arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time. Any later and it is considered that you are ‘late.’ Rule of thumb for interviewing for anything is ‘on-time is late’ and ‘early is on-time.’

9. Correct body language

Have open body language (don’t cross your arms) and use hand gestures. Being animated and relaxed in the way that you talk will show that you are comfortable in your expression and you will be more ‘ likable.’

10. Smile!

It sounds simple, yes, but a smile can go a long way in the impression you’re making in your interview. Showing that you’re a positive and happy person in any situation is a great way to be memorable and to develop a rapport with the interviewer. 

11. Be calmly confident

Sometimes people confuse being confident with being over-the-top, making them come across as arrogant. When you are asked to share your strengths or your accomplishments, remember that you don’t need to brag or convince them of your amazingness.

Just trust in your ability and have confidence that this will show with what you are saying. The most confident people are not the ones shouting over the rooftops how incredible they are. 

Key questions and sample answers 

Including these sample questions and answers in our college interview tips for university applications will give you a leg up over the competition. Exploring the most common questions that come up will allow you to practice answering them before the interview. 

12. Question: ‘Why are you interested in this university?’

Answer: I’ve known about [university name] for a while now in my research over the years about top programs in [course name]. From what I read, as well as information from those that have graduated from your school, I am convinced that this is the best place I can choose to study [course name].

Bonus Tip: This is where your research of the school comes in handy, as you can list off their accolades here. 

13. Question: ‘What attracts you to this [course name] degree?’

Answer: ‘I developed a passion for [subject] early on in my schooling, and as this industry continues to advance, I want to learn all I need to know to enter this career being at the forefront of its innovation.’

Bonus Tip: Speak not only about why you like this subject but also how you see your degree giving you the value needed to excel in this career.

14. Question: ‘What are your strengths in academics?’

Answer: ‘I pride myself on my organization skills, particularly time management. I found that juggling multiple subjects and deadlines in my last years of high school was something that I was naturally good at, and often had my peers asking for study scheduling advice. When I am organized, I can learn with much more ease.’

15. Question: ‘If you could have changed one thing about high school, what would it have been?’

Answer: ‘It would have been longer class times for some subjects. I felt some sessions begin to go deep into a particular subject, only to finish with the times being just 45 minutes to 1 hour per class. I find that when I study myself, I can go much deeper when I devote a lot of time to one subject.’

Questions to ask the interviewer 

Getting the chance to ask the interviewer questions will benefit not only you to get some questions answered, but to the impression, you’re giving the interviewer, as you show your seriousness about this course by the type of questions you ask. Here are 3 examples of questions that show you are a quality candidate. 

16. ‘What qualities do you see in the most successful students?’

17. ‘How do you see this university evolving in the next few years?’

18. ‘What are you most proud of in working for this university?’

More interview tips for university applications

Below is a short summary of some key points to remember, though the details in the body of the article provide a more comprehensive offering of valuable information to help you prepare for your interview.

19. Arrive at the interview prepared – research, practice, be familiar with your answers to common questions.

20. Have open body language and a positive demeanor. Don’t forget to smile!

21. Read over the list of common interview questions that may be asked so you’re familiar with some answers that you can use.

22. Think about some questions you want to ask the interviewer to get some valuable information and to further show that you are engaged and thoughtful about your application.

23. When waiting for the decision to be made, relax and now that you did the best you could do – the rest is in their hands!

To learn more, check out my post on the best interview tips for teens if you are also looking for a job while at college!

References

For any teacher going for a job interview, there are some things you need to know that will enhance your success in landing this job.

Interview tips for teachers are different to normal interview job tips, as there is a specific skill set that the interviewer is looking for.

When you express yourself with confidence, remembering the following key tips, you’ll have a greater chance of standing out from the crowd of applicants.

27+ Interview Tips For Teachers With Tested Questions & Answers Samples!

1. Learn teaching phrases

Brush up on key teaching terms so that you are using specific teaching lingo in your interview when asked questions or when you are asking the interviewer questions. This will depend on your mode of teaching, the syllabus and curriculum offered, and the region you are applying for. Know the commonly used terms for teaching before you go into the interview.

2. Prepare answers to common interview questions for teachers.

Read the later points of the article to get a sense of what the most generic questions are, and see example answers that can help you feel confident and prepared to answer them. 

3. Research the school thoroughly.

Learn about the school’s community culture through their website and any other links and news that come up in an online search. 

4. Look into the school’s achievements and accolades.

This can give you material for topics to talk about during your interview. 

5. What can you bring to the school

Assess the school’s current context and notice if there are any particular needs that you see that this school would benefit from having fulfilled. You can tailor your language and expression to touch upon these points, offering your unique expertise to the school.

6. List your core teaching strengths

List your strengths in the practical classroom teaching environment so that you can draw from them when asked about your proficiencies.

7. Share how you manage data of students

Also, list your strengths in back-end data systems in how you manage and organize your plans and your students. This is essential for the interviewer to know that you are an organized person able to manage their role. 

Interview tips for teachers: During the interview

There are key actions to remember to take within the interview process to display a professional tone and be seen as a key choice for the role. Read these interview tips for teachers below.

8. Bring any relevant documents & certificates

Bring documents to the interview, like your portfolio, that display your achievements, or samples of your past lesson plans, worksheets, and other teaching resources. Even if you never show this, it will come across as you being professional and well prepared simply to bring this with you.

9. Wear professional attire.

It goes without saying that for any interview in any field, you need to wear business-smart attire to your interview. Even though many teachers may have a casual-smart style in their daily work, as a rule, you’ll need to dress more professionally in the interview.

10. Make eye contact and watch your body language.

Open, relaxed gestures will show your self-confidence, which is definitely something teachers will need in their role of communicating and standing at the front of a room. 

11. Take your time and listen.

It’s ok if you take more time to answer questions. Put your energy into being attentive and listening deeply to the interviewer. This shows that you are a considerate, thoughtful candidate who is taking the interview seriously. 

12. Speak with passion and conviction.

If you show your enthusiasm for teaching through the way you animatedly speak, this bodes well for the interviewer to trust that this is more than just a job for you, but a career that you will invest a high standard of work in. 

13. Have a good understanding of your teaching style

Understand your teaching philosophy and be ready to express this during the interview. Find a space where it comes out organically. For example, ‘I believe that listening to students allows them to feel more confident in me being there to support them and help them, rather than being an authority ‘against them’. My teaching philosophy is to respect the student as a human being that is deserving of being seen as a valuable member of society, with thoughts and views worthy of being heard.’

Interview tips for teachers: After the interview

Now that you’re finished with the actual interview process, there are a few more things you can do. The following tips could be just the thing that separates you from the rest of the interviewers who also aced that stage. Even if you do great, that doesn’t mean that others didn’t do great too. So be sure to follow up in the right way to leave a lasting impression.

14. Wait 24 hours before sending a follow-up email. This respects the time of the interviewer and makes you come across as less ’desperate’ for the role.

15. When you write your follow up email, have the main message be gratitude for the opportunity and simply an open offering to share more information if they need it.

16. Wait one week until you send a second follow-up email if you haven’t heard from the interviewer, to ask about their decision

17. Stick to email, rather than calling, unless you have not had any response after two weeks, or unless they specify to contact them over the phone. 

Interview tips for teachers: Common questions and their answers

As mentioned above, there are common questions that you’ll be asked in your interview, so preparing for the following questions can make you feel more at ease going into the interview with having some answers ready to go.

18. Question: ‘Why have you chosen teaching as your career?’

Answer: ‘I am a forever student, always learning something new and feeling the inspiration and confidence that comes with acquiring new skills and knowledge. This makes me passionate about sharing this with others, as I know firsthand the beautiful feeling that learning offers.’

19. Question: ‘How do you like to interact with parents?’

Answer: ‘I like to have clear communication with parents as much as possible, often over email, when something arises with a student that I feel would be beneficial for them to know.’

20. Question: ‘How do you handle difficult students?’

Answer: ‘I take it case-by-case and attempt to take my own personal judgments and opinions out of it, especially not taking things personally, so that I can stay calm and grounded for more objective problem-solving.’

21. Question: ‘What is your favorite subject to teach?’

Answer: ‘I love English. I’ve always loved writing, and teaching English is very gratifying as I know how much of a practical and valuable capacity it will be for people throughout their lives to communicate with the written word.’

22. Question: ‘What is the biggest challenge you face as a teacher?’

Answer: ‘I feel that juggling multiple classes and curriculums is the main challenge, and requires me to be very meticulous in how I schedule my work priorities so I can stay on top of tasks and not fall behind.’

23. Question: ‘Why did you leave your last job?’

Answer: ‘I felt that my personal values weren’t reflected in the school’s mission, and knew it was time to find an environment to work that fosters a healthy, positive way for students to learn, whilst having key resources needed to teach them. 

I feel that your establishment is more in line with modern learning techniques, and has a wonderful mission that came throughout in my research of your school. One that I’d like to be a part of.’

Interview tips for teachers: Questions to ask the interviewer

Finally, you’ll often be given time to ask the interviewer questions, and this is a great opportunity to continue to show how interested you are, how you are thinking about the role, and where your mindset is. Questions are very telling! So the following questions are valuable to ask the interviewer to show that you’re a valuable candidate. 

24. ‘What makes this school unique?’

25. ’What is the average size of a classroom?’

26. ‘How do you measure the success of your teaching staff?’

27. ‘How does this school handle bullying?’

To learn more about how to land that next job, check out our homepage where you can see dozens of great articles.

Or perhaps you’re thinking about a change? Check out our detailed guide on ideal jobs for former teachers.

References

• https://www.themuse.com/advice/interview-questions-for-teachers-answers
• https://zety.com/blog/teacher-interview-questions
• https://www.educationdegree.com/articles/10-tips-for-teachers-to-have-a-standout-interview/

Interviews are already a nerve-wracking process, so for people naturally more quiet and reserved – introverts – it’s understandable that the upcoming job interview is seeming very intimidating. 

It doesn’t mean that you can’t perform well. You have strengths as an introvert, and when you keep in mind the following interview tips for introverts, you can feel more confident going into the meeting, as well as after the interview.

Read on to learn how you can ace your interview for any job even if you’re an introvert.

27 Interview Tips For Introverts!

1. Research the company

It’s important to know about the company that you will potentially work at. Not only to get a sense of what kind of person they’re looking for as you learn about their company culture, but also so that you’re sure that this is the type of role that you’d like to have. 

Check their website and see if there’s also any industry news detailing projects or events that the company has been involved with. If there’s an opportunity, you can speak about what you learned in the interview as well.

2. List your strengths and weaknesses

You’ll most definitely be asked about your strengths and weaknesses during the interview, so be prepared to answer this by having a list made already. This shows that you’ve thought about it and will mean you’re not stumped trying to think of the answers on the spot. You can also see our guide on the best weaknesses answers in an interview.

3. Prepare key answers

Having answers ready-to-go when you’re asked common interview questions is going to make you feel more at ease going into the interview. Common questions for interviews will generally be asked, no matter the industry. The last points in this article are sample answers to such questions, so read to the bottom to best prepare yourself.

4. Prepare some questions

Not only will you be asked questions, but you may also get a chance to ask your own questions. Interviewers like seeing a candidate speak up in this way, so having some questions ready for them will make you seem more confident and engaged.

5. Practice the interview

If you can practice a mock interview with someone, great! If not, you can even record yourself and watch it back to see how you sound and what your body language is like during the process (more on body language in the following tips).

6. Dress appropriately

Prepare an outfit that is professional and suited to the role you’re applying for. Generally, dress more business-smart in the interview – even if the role is for a casual clothing store – as the interview is a more professional setting. Smart business attire is the way to go.

7. Arrive early

Arriving about 15 minutes before the scheduled interview time is actually considered ‘on time’. If you arrive at 9:00am on the dot (when the interview starts), this is actually arriving late. So plan your journey ahead to arrive early (on time!).

During the interview tips for introverts

Now you’re at the actual interview stage, these tips will help you navigate through the interview questions. They’re specific to introverts in that they detail ways to seem more sociable and outspoken, without having to completely change your personality.

8. Body language is key

You will say a lot even without opening your mouth, purely by how your body language is. The key tips are: don’t cross your arms, sit up tall with shoulders back, match their body language, and use hand gestures as you talk. 

9. Use their name

This goes a long way for developing rapport with your interviewer. When they introduce themselves, say their name back straight away, and try to find time to use it again in the interview.

10. Ask questions

As mentioned above, asking questions shows your confidence, and having some already prepared will give you that confidence to speak up. An example is something like: “Where do you see this company headed in the next 3 years?”

11. Smile

It’s simple and effective. People who smile are more likable, and you want to be liked in your interview!

12. Inform, rather than ‘brag’

Introverts tend to not shout out their successes, so when trying to speak up more and share them in the interview, sometimes they can go too far and it comes across as bragging. Find a healthy medium. Be confident and objective as you speak about your accomplishments – you don’t have to try to sell yourself – that’s uncomfortable for all of us, not just introverts. Simply state the facts. 

13. Be positive

The way that you present yourself in your answers will reveal a lot about your general life outlook and mindset. People are looking to work with positive people, not complainers. Make sure you are giving a positive spin on what you are talking about. 

14. Breathe, instead of saying ‘um’

When you are lost for an answer or trying to think of a word, for example, simply stop and breathe. Try not to ‘um’ and ‘ah’ as you think, as this comes across as more insecure, rather than confident.

After the interview tips for introverts

Now that the interview is over, it’s not time to sit back and do nothing. There are steps you can take to further enhance your success in this application. Read the following after-interview tips for introverts to see how you can come out on top as a key candidate. 

15. Firstly, relax and recharge

Yes, there are some things for you to do after the interview. Though before you continue with what’s on our list here, make sure you do take some recharge time after the interview. Introverts recharge through being alone (contrasted to extraverts who recharge with others). Go for a walk, read, watch something, or anything else that lets you unwind from the interview before doing anything else.

16. Refrain from contacting too soon

Though it would be lovely to know the outcome straight away, chances are the interviewer is still in the interviewing stage. Contacting them too soon (the same day) is not a helpful thing. Play it cool and wait 24 hours before you follow up.

17. Send a follow-up email

In your first follow-up email, simply express your gratitude for the opportunity. Refrain from being too forward in asking about their decision, and make it more subtle in writing something like: “I look forward to hearing about your decision.”

18. Do further research 

As you wait for their response, you can continue to stay up-to-date with their company with more research. This could also come in handy if there were a second round of interviews, or if you get the job and you want to be very informed about what you’re going into. 

19. Second follow-up email

Wait a week before you send your second follow-up email, and again, keep it calm and professional, offering to give them more references or information. Also include that you are still interested, though again, don’t be too blunt when asking about their decision. To learn more, check out our post on polite follow-up emails with included templates.

20. Final follow up

If you still haven’t heard from them a week after the second follow-up email, you can write a final follow-up email another week after that (two weeks after your interview).

Interview tips for introverts: Sample answers

Finally, since a large part of the interview process is going to be you answering questions, these sample answers can help you in the prep stage of the interview process so that you can refer back to these answers and remember them during the interview.

21. Question: ‘Why do you want to work here?’

Answer: ‘I feel that this company has the core values that I have been looking for in an employer. To want to make a difference in the world in a positive way inspires me.’

22. Question: ‘What is your greatest strength?’

Answer: ‘I am an excellent listener. I find that customers love this quality, as well as when I am taking on instruction for my work, I listen intently to what needs to be done so I can get it right.’

23. Question: ‘What is one of your weaknesses?’

Answer: ‘I have often been told I’m a perfectionist, so my attention to detail sometimes has me spending very long on a task. I’m learning to find a balance between quality and efficiency so that my work is still high quality, but I am not getting lost in the tiny details.’

24. Question: ‘What is your availability?’

Answer: ‘I am available every day during the week, and some weekends, where needed. I’m also flexible to come in short notice as I am looking for a full-time role.’

25. Question: ‘How do you handle stressful environments?’

Answer: ‘I communicate well with others so when I feel a situation is challenging, I reach out for support from my team to see how we can work together to solve it.’

26. Question: ‘What would you do if a customer was complaining to you?’

Answer: ‘I would calmly listen to their situation and let them know that I am on their side in doing what I can to find a solution. I would also go to my supervisor/manager to address the situation.’

27. Question: ‘What makes great customer service?’

Answer: ‘I believe that when we do not take things personally, we are able to stay objective and clear with customers to serve them best. When our ego gets involved and we get rattled by little things customers say and do, we are not giving the best customer service we could. So staying objective, and of course, being friendly!’

References

• https://www.cv-library.co.uk/career-advice/interviews/eight-top-interview-tips-for-introverts/
• https://www.thebalancecareers.com/job-interview-tips-for-introverts-2061355
• https://www.topresume.com/career-advice/interview-tips-for-introverts
• https://www.workitdaily.com/13-interview-tips-for-introverts

Interviewing for a job is a make-or-break moment. When you consider that you are literally being judged, there’s no wonder many of us get stressed out leading up to an interview. When you’re interviewing for retail jobs, keep in mind that the interviewer is looking for a professional, yet friendly person, as customer service is essential in retail.

Read the following interview tips for retail jobs to get clear on how you can put your best foot forward in your job application, and greatly enhance your chance of success.

These 27 interview tips cover everything from how to answer specific questions, to how to present yourself and other unique tips you might not have thought of.

27 Interview Tips For Retail Job Interviews!

How to present yourself: Interview tips for retail jobs

First impressions are very important. When you work in retail, you’re always giving out an impression of how you interact with customers. The interviewer will be looking at how you present yourself in the interview to get a sense of how you would present yourself in the job. 

Tip 1. Wear appropriate clothes. Clean-cut, professional attire that doesn’t show a lot of skin. You won’t need a suit for a retail job, but you will need to dress more professionally than you might expect to dress if you were working there, just to show that you are taking the role seriously. (If relevant to the job you’re going for, like a fashion store, wearing their brand would be a bonus).

Tip 2. Along with how you dress, how you present yourself in your makeup, hair, piercings, and tattoos is important. Cover tattoos, take out piercings (unless simple earrings), and make sure your hair is neat. Again, depending on the job you’re going for, you can potentially get away with more jewelry (if it’s a retail jewelry store, for example).

Tip 3. Presenting yourself is also about how you walk into the interview. Stand tall, have relaxed and open body language (not crossing your arms), and of course, smile.

Tip 4. Following from above, smiling during the whole interview will present your most friendly and approachable side to the interviewer – something definitely needed for a retail job.

Tip 5. You are also presenting yourself in how you speak. Your tone of voice and the way you speak is just as important as the words that you use. Speak slowly, yet confidently, with direct language, being to-the-point, rather than speaking too much.

Tip 6. To develop a more comfortable connection with the interviewer, also use your body gestures to your advantage. When you ‘mirror’ the gestures they use (like how they are sitting), in a way that is subtle (not creepily copying them!) you will be more likely to be seen as a likable person.

Tip 7. Present yourself also as someone who is valuable for the company to hire. Rather than being so ‘gracious’ to the point where it seems like you are trying too hard (which comes across as desperate), go into the interview knowing that they would be lucky to have you. Make sure this doesn’t turn to arrogance, however. Keep it balanced.

Example answers for specific questions: Interview tips for retail jobs

You’re going to be asked a lot of different questions, and for each company and role, the questions will differ. Though you can expect some common questions that are standard for retail interviews. Below are some of these commonly asked questions, and examples of answers you could give.

8. Question: Why are you applying to work here?

Answer: “I’d love to work at [company name] because it has always been a company that I have held in high regard for your products and for the way that the staff has always greeted me. That’s made me feel like this is the kind of team I’d like to be a part of. 

I believe in surrounding yourself in the right environment and around the right kinds of people to be able to work effectively and from an inspired place, and I feel I could do this here at [company name].”

9. Question: Where do you see your career in 5 years’ time?

Answer:” I definitely see myself advancing in retail to a point where I am able to reach supervisor and manager positions, and potentially higher roles. I am ambitious and am really looking for a company that I can stay with for the long-term.”

10. Question: What do you think makes good customer service?

Answer: “I believe that customer service is all about treating people as people, not as numbers. Being approachable and friendly is important, but beyond that, greeting customers with genuine positivity is always felt far more than the regular smile that feels a little more like they’re smiling because they have to. I am a social and outgoing person naturally, so I feel that allows me to interact with customers in a much more natural way.”

11. Question: What is your availability?

Answer: (This would be tailored to your specific context)

“I am currently available any day except Thursday, where I have a sports activity in the afternoons. I’m willing to work as much as needed, as I intend to make this a full-time role. Weekends are fine for me, and I am flexible to be on call to come in short notice as well.”

12. Question: If a customer were to become angry and complain, how would you handle this situation?

Answer: “I would first listen and refrain from defending and offering excuses as to why the situation occurred, allowing them to feel heard, whilst also keeping neutral. I would always remember that it’s not personal – they are simply not happy with something – and that all I can do is offer solutions. 

If the solution was out of my responsibility, I’d calmly let them know that we would like to help them and that I will get my supervisor or manager (either in person or over the phone) to help with the situation. “

13. Question: How do you handle busy environments?

Answer: “I like working in fast-paced environments. I’ve always liked the dynamic, fast energy that is required for a busy role, and I feel like I am more efficient and thrive in those situations when we have many customers and juggling many tasks.”

14. Question: How do you handle a very quiet day with little customers?

Answer: “I feel like that is the perfect time to get on top of tasks that can be done like deep cleaning to store, the register area, or looking over any admin work that I would also help with. I’m a patient person and don’t get bored very easily, so I can handle quiet days just as well as busy days.”

15. Question: Do you work well within a team?

Answer: “I would say that I do, as I am a social person and I have strong communication skills. I feel that communication is one of the most important elements of teamwork, and if we are all clear on our tasks, we can work in a smooth way. Not only that, problem-solving is far more effective when there are other people to bounce ideas off of.”

Example questions to ask: Interview tips for retail jobs

Not only will you be answering questions asked of you in your interview, but you’ll also get a chance to ask your own. If you haven’t prepared for this, you could be caught off guard with nothing to say, which won’t look so good to the interviewer. 

Below are some examples of retail interview questions you can ask that reveal your interest and thoughtfulness about the role.

16. Why did you start working at [company] and how long have you been with them?

17. What are your busiest days and the busiest times of the store?

18. What is your best-selling item, and why do you think this is?

19. What did you personally wish you knew when you first began in retail?

20. What kind of growth are you expecting from this company over the next 3 years?

21. Are there opportunities to grow and advance within the company?

22. When do you feel you will be complete with interviews and close to a decision about this role?

Follow up after the meeting: Interview tips for retail jobs

23. Though you might want to immediately check in after the interview to see if you got the job, resist doing this. Give it at least 24 hours before you contact the interviewer.

24. When you first contact your interviewer to follow up, rather than ask about their decision, simply say thank you and make the email an expression of gratitude for their time.

25. Opt for an email to follow up, rather than calling. Again, as it is first an expression of gratitude, rather than to ask if you got the job, you don’t need to call. Most likely the interviewer has a lot on their plate, and calling may seem a little intrusive of their time if you did just meet in person not so long ago.

26. In your follow-up email, you can also offer to provide additional references or information if they need it during the decision-making process. This open offer shows that you are still very much interested, without sounding like you need anything more from them in hounding them for answers.

27. If you get no response after your first follow-up email, wait 5-7 days before you write a second follow-up email. This ensures you don’t come off too strong and needy, whilst also staying in their awareness and once again letting them know you are still interested in the role.

To get more prepared for your retail interview, check out my post on how you handled a stressful situation at work.

References

• https://www.thebalancecareers.com/retail-customer-service-interview-2061220
• https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/retail-interview-questions
• https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/retail-interview-questions

A job interview for anyone can be nerve-wracking, so for a teenager going for their first job, or with very little job experience, it can feel even more intimidating. What is the right thing to say? Which answers will make me seem most professional? How can I make the best impression? 

If you’re asking any of these questions, we’ve got you covered. In these 27 interview tips for teens, you’ll feel way more prepared and confident going into your next job interview.

27+ Interview Tips For Teens & Sample Questions!

Research the company

This is the place to start for interview tips for teens, as you’ll begin this process before the interview happens. 

Tip 1: Get to know the company/brand – start simple with reading their website (the ‘about us’ section, especially).

Tip 2: Research current news/events or anything that this company has been mentioned for that might stand out to talk about later.

Tip 3: Read the job description carefully and make sure your resume is tailored to what the ‘desirable qualities’ were in that job posting.

Tip 4: If they have a physical location like a storefront, visit and take note of the staff, the overall feel, and other details to keep in mind for the interview. 

Tip 5: Find ways to mention what you know about the company from all of this research in the interview. Additionally, if you know who your interviewer will be, look them up to see if there are any facts on their professional achievements.

Be professional and attentive

Of course, we were going to mention ways to come across as professional in these interview tips for teens. Interviewers are looking for a composed and serious candidate. 

Tip 6: It starts with the first impression (more tips on that below) – dress clean and covered up.

Tip 7: Make eye contact and use the name that they introduced themselves as.

Tip 8: Ask thoughtful questions about the role and the company.

Tip 9: If you have a previous employer, don’t speak negatively about them or the role – stay objective and respectful.

Tip 10: Be positive and optimistic. A bright and happy attitude is always appreciated and shows that you genuinely want to be in this role.

Make a good first impression

There are certain things that you’ll do that may seem small or insignificant, but will have a big effect on the impression you make. 

Tip 11: Arrive a few minutes earlier than the start time to show that you are punctual.

Tip 12: Dress professionally – not showing too much skin. Make sure your hair is styled in a way that you would present yourself were you to get the job.

Tip 13: Bring extra documents with you like your CV copy (even if they already have it) and references.

Tip 14: Be cautious of visible piercings and tattoos – consider taking them out for the interview and covering up your tattoos.

Tip 15: Put your phone on airplane mode or off so that the interview does not get interrupted.

Prepare to answer practical questions

You’re going to be asked many different questions about the role, and your work ethic in general. The below interview tips for teens will help you be prepared to answer the most common questions asked.

16. Question: What is your availability?

Tips: This needs to be totally clear. Know before the interview your days and hours that you can work, and also how many hours per week you are able to. If you show up to the interview with no answer to this and try to think on the spot, this does not look good.

Answer: “At the moment, I have on my schedule school classes and some after school sport, so my availability for this role is weekday afternoons, besides Wednesday and Thursday. I can work all day Saturday and Sunday. I’m willing to work up to 25 hours per week, and I’m happy to work both weekend days. I can be flexible to also come in on short notice, provided I am not in school or sport.”

17. Question: What are your salary expectations?

Tips: Do a little research on the industry and role you are applying for, and the wage policies for your local area according to your age. This gives you an idea of what to expect. The general rule of thumb here is to not demand higher and to not ask for less than the minimum wage.

Answer: “I understand that the minimum wage for my role is [insert wage], so my expectations would be in line with this, or if you have a different procedure here with pay and benefits, I’d be interested to discuss this with you.”

18. Question: Tell us about how you have overcome a challenge in the past?

Tips: This is a good chance to highlight some of your skills. Prepare to answer this question by reflecting on past situations, whether personal or in school or other work. Reference that and explain it in a way where you show that you know what skills got you through it (resilience, being flexible to solve the problem, etc). 

Answer: “When I was working on an assignment at school that was a group-based activity, we were having trouble keeping up with communicating to everyone on all different message channels, and we often got confused and got lost in keeping on top of the work we were doing.

I suggested that we use the online communication platform ‘asana’ in order to allocate our tasks and have a better process throughout the assignment. It worked really well and I realized that I had a strong ability to organize and lead others through overcoming this challenge.”

We have a more detailed guide on dealing with stressful situations in interviews if you’re interested.

19. Question: Why should we hire you?

Tips: The interviewer is really asking here why it is worth putting the energy into training you, and how you might offer something a little different to other employees.

These interview tips for teens are for newbies in the job-interview-arena, so rather than talking about your experience (which is probably not so extensive), share how you are motivated to put in the effort to learn. 

Answer: “I know about myself that I am really self-motivated. I’ve always sought to do the best that I could in school and in any role of responsibility, and I take time to learn and take feedback in the process to get better.

I believe I’ll be a valuable employee because of my willingness to learn and adapt to new processes and a new environment.”

Another possibility if to invest some time upfront getting a free online certification that will be relevant in your desired role. It shows initiative and assures the hiring manager you’re coming in with useful skills day one.

20. Question: Can you tell us about how you work within a team? 

Tips: Speak about a specific example, either from a past job, or from schooling if that’s more relevant. Also, consider future scenarios that may come up in that particular role and discuss how you would work in that context. 

Answer: “Last year I was working within a team at my past job at [insert job] and what I loved about it was how we could all support one another in making the operations run faster and more smoothly with everyone helping out and having their own roles. I think communication is key for team-based jobs, as everyone needs to be clear in every step as it happens”

Understand your strengths and weaknesses

The last of our interview tips for teens is a very common question that can either make you seem like a promising candidate, or a little bit arrogant if you word it the wrong way. Here are some great tips!

21. Be completely honest. Don’t try to make up fanciful facts about your strengths when you don’t have them. That can hinder you in the future if you are expected to do a job that requires a skill you don’t have.

22. Ask a family member or friend to share with you what they think your strengths and weaknesses are.

23. Don’t try to pretend that you have no weaknesses. The interviewer will see this is immaturity and this will be a red flag for your application. 

24. When it comes to the weaknesses, express them first, then follow with your strength. 

25. When you share your weakness, also share how you are working on it.

Examples:

26. “I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so when I don’t get something straight away in the learning process, it can be a little frustrating. Though I’m told that one of my strengths has always been that I’m a self-motivated person, and that’s true, so my capacity to keep going and learning helps me to let go of being perfect straight away.”

27. “I love to multi-task, and do it well, but a weakness is trying to do it all myself. Thankfully, I know that a strength of mine is communication, so when I can communicate to the team that I need some help with the tasks, it feels much more smooth and effective.”

For more interview tips, you can check out my other posts on interview questions for baristas and interview questions for a job at McDonalds.

References

• https://www.fya.org.au/2015/10/27/how-to-nail-the-job-interview/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI89C9mZOe6AIVyBWPCh240w29EAAYASAAEgLO5_D_BwE
• https://www.livecareer.com/resources/interviews/prep/teen-job-strategies
• https://www.thebalancecareers.com/teen-job-interview-questions-and-best-answers-2063882
• https://middleearthnj.wordpress.com/2014/04/28/10-tips-for-teens-to-have-a-successful-job-interview/