The Homeschool Resource

• Interviews are an important part of the job-hunting experience. It is a good idea to help your teen be prepared.

• Knowing about the role that you are applying for, practicing answering common questions, and dressing appropriately are just a few of the ways that you should teach your teen to help them prepare.

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Going to interviews is an important part of the job-hunting experience. In today’s society, for every job that you apply for you will more than likely be attending an interview. In fact, in some circumstances, you may have to participate in several rounds of interviews for a single job position. Therefore, it is a good idea to teach your children about the interviewing process. This will give them a sense of what is involved and how to make a good impression. Remind them that this interview will be the first, and probably only, impression of them that the company, and potentially their boss, will see before deciding on whether to hire them are not. If they are truly interested in the role, they need to make sure that they show that interest. Below are some ideas to cover when teaching your teen how to prepare for an interview.

How to Prepare for Your Interview

Before you leave to go to an interview, there are a few things you should do to prepare. This will help to make a good impression and to show that you are invested in getting the job.

• Do some research on the company. Basic information about the company that you are applying to will give you a better understanding of the company as a whole and the part that you will be playing if you get the position. You do not need to go in-depth here, just some rudimentary information such as what the company stands for and what exactly the company does will be sufficient.   
• Review the entirety of the job description. It is important to know the skills required and the responsibilities listed for the job that you are interviewing for. This will allow you to better answer their questions according to what skill sets will be needed for the job. It also gives you a good idea regarding what type of questions that you may want to ask about responsibilities and the workload of the position.
• Prepare 1-2 questions. At the end of most interviews, the interviewer will ask you if you have any questions. It is actually a good idea to have at least one or two questions to ask. It shows interest in the position and the company to which you are applying. Some questions may include “what are the main priorities currently in this role?” or “what opportunities are there for training and progression?”. While these are generalized questions, you can tailor questions to fit the position that you are hoping to take on.
• Have a copy of your resume. It is a good idea to have a copy of your resume with you when you go for an interview. More than likely the hiring manager has looked over your resume. However, being able to hand them a physical copy shows that you are interested in the job. It also allows both them and you refer to the information listed there during the interview process.
• Dress professionally and appropriately. You should choose clothing that is professional and appropriate for the company that you are applying for. You should look polished and neat so as to show that you are serious about the job. Remember, this is your first impression, so make sure it is a good one.

Practice Answering Common Questions

There are some questions that are commonly asked across the board for any job position. Below are examples of just a few of these and how you can answer them.

• “Tell me about yourself.” This is a question easily answered with information like ‘I grew up in ____. I graduated from _____. I have a degree in ______. I worked at _________ which gave me great experience in [insert a skill or responsibility they are looking for].” or “I helped to develop [insert something that you helped create or develop]”.. You can even add in a ‘I like to __________ in my free time.’ or add in a short personal story of growth or advancement that is relevant to the company or job.
• “What are your weaknesses?” This a question that you need to be a little more careful with. Try to give an example of a weakness that would not prevent you from doing your job well but that is relevant in some way to the position that you are applying for. You may want to add in that you are currently working on this and how you are working on it. This may sound like “I have some trouble delegating tasks as I hold myself to a standard of completing everything myself. I am working on this in my personal life so as to transition it into my workplace.”
• “What are your strengths?” A good question to answer with some positive information about yourself. Choose two or three attributes that you are good at that are relevant to the job such as teamwork, leadership, initiative, creativity, adaptability, or good communication skills.

There are other frequently asked questions out there. You can use a quick internet search for more or ask family or friends about questions that they were asked. Preparing answers ahead of time will insure that you include everything that you need to include in the answer. It also helps you to sound more confident since you already have an idea of what to say.

During the Interview

There are several concepts that you can use during the interview that will help you to look more responsible and professional.

• Arrive early. It is very important not to be late for your interview. Showing up a few minutes early shows that you are interested in the role and that you respect other people’s time. This also gives the interviewer a good sense that you will be responsible and on time for work as well.
• Use positive body language. Displaying positive body language gives off an overall positive vibe. Sitting up straight, unfolding your arms, smiling, and maintaining eye contact are all examples of what you can do to show positive body language at an interview. This also gives off an aurora of professionalism.
• Use a positive tone of voice. A confident voice and calm demeanor will show the interviewer that you can handle yourself professionally and shows an interest in the role. Articulate yourself well, speaking in a clear voice so that everything you say is easily understood. Try not to sound nervous or overly casual when speaking with the interviewer.

How to prepare for an interview is an important topic to teach teens as they may be looking for a job in the near future. Many teens take after school jobs to help save money for college, pay for a vehicle, or just to have some pocket money to spend. Since you do not want them to stress or worry about attending an interview you can instead help them gain confidence with preparedness. With practice, your teen will become confident in their ability to answer questions and confront any surprises that may arise. This will not only help them in the immediate future but throughout the entirety of their life.

I hope this offered some helpful ideas on how to teach your children about the interview process. If you found this blog helpful please consider subscribing and liking this post as it will help to grow the community as well as let me know which type of posts are more beneficial for you. If you are looking to teach your children about fire safety, check out my Life Lessons: Teaching Fire Safety blog.

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Do you have some interview tips for teens? If so, please share with the community in the comments below.