Advice for job applications/interviews?

I've been out of high school for a year now. I was enrolled in my local community college for the fall semester last year, right after I graduated. Because of some financial issues (my dad losing his job) I was forced to discontinue my college career and look for a job so I don't end up sitting around gathering dust.

So far I've applied to my neighborhood Burger King, Don Quijote, Mcdonald's, Wendy's, Moe's Southwest Grill, Safeway, and even a Hot Topic. All are within a mile of my house, because I don't even have a driver's permit yet. My dad says there's all sorts of fancy stuff about insurance involved with drivers-in-training, and that I should wait, but that's not what this is about.

And as a first-time job-hunter, I would like some advice. After supermarkets and fast-food joints, where are the best places to apply? Do any of you have tips for job interviews? What are the worst mistakes to make when applying/during an interview? Any advice is appreciated.

If this is going to be your first job, then you should focus on being calm and respectful to the interviewer. Everyone has to start somewhere, so don't be worried about not having actual job experience. Here are some tips to consider:

-Maintain good eye contact, but don't stare. This shows that you are attentive and interested. If you appear bored or distracted, then the interviewer is likely to think you will be hard to train.

-Be honest, and genuine. Don't try to act like someone you're not, because interviewers can see through such acts. If you are nervous, don't worry and don't let it throw you. Everyone is nervous when they think another person is evaluating them. Interviews get easier as you go through them.

-Don't joke around, even if the interviewer does. Just answer whatever questions you are asked, as honestly as you are able. Most questions will involve themes like: Honesty, Loyalty, Teamwork and Problem Solving. It might help to think of times in your life that involved such themes to use as anecdotes to answer their questions, but don't over rehearse your answers.

-At the end of the interview, you might be asked if you have any questions. Don't ask about things like vacation, or sick time (this is a warning sign that you might not be reliable). Those questions will be answered after you get hired. Ask about things like company scholarship programs, as you are a college oriented person. This will show an interviewer that you are interested in your future and willing to learn.

I'm sure there are other issues, but the important thing is to keep yourself calm, respectful and to show your willingness to learn and work hard. Good luck.

I am a senior in university currently working at my summer internship as an engineer. Thus I have a so-so experience in interview and job. If you are looking for a job other than supermarkets and fast-food joints, it might be difficult unless you have some good skills. That is, if you are good with computer and know many technical stuff about it, then you can try electronic store. Participating in community service, such as helping in a festival, is good too since you will be able to meet many people and you may be able to meet someone who can give you a good job.

Nighshift often get paid more than the minimum salary. My friend works at BigY, a supermarket, nightshift from 10PM to 5am for restocking products. He gets paid for $12/hr (minimum being $8 and this is the standard wages for Stop & Shop). This is all depends what is your preference. Tip, try not to go for the big company if you want good wages since they can easily fire someone and have someone to replace your spot the next week. That is why you will hardly ever find a job with good salary in big corperation unless you are working in the office.

As for interview, if you are doing labor work, then you don't need to dress fancy, but no jeans and rip clothing. I can't really say much about interview except be honest with your answer, look into their eyes and be serious about getting this position, and maybe one or two jokes to ligthen the mood up, but this is all depend on the interviewer.

Don't be worry if you forget some of the stuffs they said, because in my interview, I only remember half of the stuff they told me about the company, what to expect when I start working here, and etc.

Since you already mentioned it, it is best if you get your license as soon as possible. I live in USA so the insurance I have is that for 3 years of no accident from the time you got your license , your insurance is about $1600/yr and 6 years will be $1200/yr . If I were you, I will get my license, but don't use it until you have a certain amount of years then buy your insurance.

Also a little off topic, if your parents' income is low, don't you get financial aid for your college?

edit: For interview, my suggestion is something like wear a button shirt with khaki pant. Sneaker is fine, no makeup or colonge. Don't interrupt them when they are talking. Be sure to bring your an ID with you.

Common interview question:
Why do you want to work here?
How did you hear about this job?
What can you contribute to us if we hire you?
What is your previous job?

For school related question, they often don't ask you these unless the job required you to have a college degree.

Expand your list to include slightly skilled manufacturing jobs, and warehouse labour.

By doing this alone, you have outclassed 40% of our generation. It's not that they're lazy (lie. most of them are) it's that jobs like this don't occur to them.

Construction and demolition are big during the summer too. I also recommend you begin volunteering with the local fire department, so you can fight wildland fires.

(By federal law, if you are called to fight a wildfire, your boss cannot fire you. Some companies will actually pay you sick time.)


Aside from that, roll up to your city's corporate district and apply for every paid internship there is. DO NOT SAY YOU WISH TO BE PAID. Go through the process with a "practice" mindset, and turn down the position if they refuse to pay you.
I know for a fact the GSA (property managers for the US federal government) offers a paid internship for students. Mostly because I was going to take a summer off, and the Army doesn't allow me a second paycheck.

You pretty much have to lie.

the people above pretty much said almost everything you should do (except the lying part ok!)

what comes into mind right now is, DON'T BE LATE! especially on the interview...
coming on time or punctuality shows that you are reliable.

(I might add, if there will be more that will come to mind)

Depends if it is critical or not. Stuff like lie about drug and not having a criminal record is something you should not lie about. However, stuff that are not important such as dropping out of school might get away with it(?) but best if you don't lie about it

Dress nicely. Nothing over the top, but coordinated and appropriate. If your mom wouldn't like you leaving the house in it for the job, probably not a good choice.

Speak clearly and make good eye contact with a smile. It goes a long way, I beleive.

Hmm. I dont know if I can useful or not.

Wash yourself before the job interview. Use deodorant and visit hairdresser. Keep your pack straight as a post to show some backbone.

Anwser correctly and honsetly. Lying can do more harm than goo in a long run.

If they give you chance to ask questions, ask how your work can be useful to them and what to they expect from future employee. Also Ask how work organizes (teamworks and such) and with what division you might be working with(Which divsions, like design or research).

If they dont ask about the pay, ask it as the last question. If they ask you about it, ask something normal since you can always ask for a raise in the future.

Depends on a job, you might get a test time. In that time, try to work together with someone(or many people) to show teamwork capabilities and shows you are a team player who can communicate with others and be counted on. This increases your chances to be accepted along with your teammate.

My teacher told us a story about job finders, who didn't get the job because they lacked teamwork, which is essential in that praticular profession.

Body language is important too. i once was in some class or something that talked about what to do on interviews. aside from the stuff the people above said, the few things i can remember are: don't keep your hands in your pockets(means lazy i think), behind your back(means something to hide), or cross your arms infront of your chest, or hands on your hips(means agression).

this was a long time ago, so i could be wrong. i do remember having your hands at your sides was the best option.

Don't forget to shave and tidy up your hair.

Don't be a retard
Be honest
Admit you are bad on something (It makes them think you're telling the truth about what you're good about)
Only try and be funny if you actually are funny.
If you are applying for a service minded job where you have to deal with people, let them know that you are aware that you know that the most important part of your job is to be nice to the customers (most kids fail at this horrible these days)
Don't over/under dress
Don't make you self seem over/under qualified
Don't be a retard.

Disclaimer: I am not from the U.S.

That's the key, show the people that you're a hard worker. If you have a friend who works there, it would be much easier. It was my highschool friend who found me a job.

Making sure you have a great, non-deterring resume always helps.

For example, make sure you don't list any negatives on said resume and only list things related to working. A lot of the resumes I read through tend to have a ton of information on them that doesn't help me determine if their creator is right for the job. It's great that you were a champion baseball player in highschool, or that you work at your local soup kitchen, but I only want to know the things that make you right for this job. All that other stuff can come later in the interview.

Also, if you're not in school now but want to attend school later, make sure you don't mention it on your resume. With the economy the way it is right now, many companies hiring for entry-level positions want workers they can count on and who won't be distracted by things like school. If you get hired, work hard at your job and build that rapport with your boss or company. If they see you as a valuable worker or employee, they'll be more willing to accommodate your needs, like schooling or time off.

Take it easy, write out a good resume, always look polite and speak politely, and act professional, and just for the hell of it ... stay true to your work.

You will do fine, there is ALWAYS a way out of the shit hole.

Workfare companies encourage people to put that kind of information on and saying your doing voluntary work is said to make you sound that you have a willingness to work.

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I've heard that a lot of big companies application forms rule out people with characteristics they don't want. So you may want to rule out certain things that make you sound like you talk back or question them and sales companies will rule you out if you won't lie to customers.

I've never had an interview but I never really got why we have to dress smart for it most people that don't have a job can't really afford to do so.

I also think it's weird that most jobs people are getting are ones they never applied for and never had an interview for for people in my area at least like friends and family and the only job I ever had I never had either and I don't know any one who had either to get their job in the current job climate. I think it's odd that most job openings never seem to hire any one as if there was never one in the 1st place like I know people that work at fast food places and when there is an opening often they'd say that they won't hire any one because they don't need to and they didn't hire one after it's taking down.

Like I said, there's a time and place for everything. I work (and hire) for a large, nation-wide company, specifically in sales, and the only thing I ever get on any resume are things like that. I think it's great that you did all these things in high school or on the weekend, but the resumes that stand out to me are the ones that specifically detail how the writer is going to benefit my company if I hire them.

It's all nice stuff to mention in an interview, especially if the pace gets a little slower during the interview, but the resume is there to guide me on to what you can and can't do for my company. There's a reason why most entry level jobs have you fill out an application instead of sending in a resume.

As for large companies that rule out honest people, I don't think it's nearly as bad as you make it out to be. I've never tried to hire someone because I thought they were a good liar... Even if it was, why would anyone want to work for an outfit that wanted you to lie to people on a regular basis?

Don't wear any shirts that have anything on them that might be offensive. Oh, and don't fart out loud during the interview. Don't volunteer info, just yes and no answers, if he asks for you to elaberate then do so.