Teens: Tops Tips to Prepare for a Job Interview

This article highlights key attributes that employers often universally seek from teenagers interviewing for employment. They include: responsible, reliable, good team member, customer service skills, problem solver. Sample responses for how to demonstrate experience with each attribute are included. The article also walks through other important interview tips to remember, important questions to ask and a plan for getting prepared.

Attributes that Employers Universally Seek
Responsible
Reliable
Team Player
Customer Service Oriented
Problem Solver
Job Interview Tips
Questions to Ask
How to Prepare

It is so empowering to earn your own money which can be used for spending, saving or ideally a combination of both. I am a big proponent of getting some sort of job as soon as teens are able based on the rules of their particular state. I started baby-sitting when I was 11 long before I could get a job working at a store, office or restaurant. Even before that a friend and I collected cans from family, friends and recycle bins in the neighborhood which we turned in for money at the end of the summer. My share was $14 and I remember the pride I felt from our hard and sometimes messy work. We had such fun talks as we strolled the streets of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and basically dug through trash!! Kind of funny looking back.

Universal Attributes Employers Seek in Teenagers

Whether you are meeting with a potential family about watching their children or interviewing at a restaurant, office or retail location, the below resources will give you the confidence you need to shine your light during the discussion. A potential employer is often looking for a few key transferable skills to determine if you are a good fit for the specific job. They often include:

Responsible: You can be trusted to perform the required duties with limited supervision once you have been properly trained. You will be a good steward of company resources.
Reliable: You can be counted on to show up, on time and ready to work, for your scheduled shifts. If you need a day off, you will let the employer know as far in advance as possible so that they can make alternate arrangements.
Team Player: You work well with other people and are willing to do what it takes to get the job done. Are you a kind and respectful person and can get along with other team members.
Customer Service Oriented: You possess good customer service skills. You will be able to consistently make a positive impression with customers even when faced with challenging situations such as unhappy or frustrated customers.
Problem Solver: You are capable of resolving problems should they arise. Once properly trained, you can take the right steps to resolve challenges in your work environment such as a crying baby or a customer who has been waiting in line too long.

Image of teenage girl soccer players in a huddle

Whether these typical interview questions are specifically asked or not, your goal should be to check all the boxes of the above attributes with your answers. It is a good idea to have an example or short story ready that demonstrates your aptitude with each important attribute. If this is your first job interview, draw on experience from everyday life or extracurricular activities to show experience with these attributes. Below are samples answers for inspiration…of course your own responses need to match your unique experience.

1) Responsible

I watch my little sister every day after school for an hour before my Mom gets home from work. I make sure has a snack and gets started on her homework. Screen time is not allowed on weekdays, so I ensure we are following that rule.
Over the summer I worked at Cold Stone Creamery and my first task of every shift was making sure that the ice cream cooler temperatures were correct. If needed, I would make adjustments. This was a very important part of an ice cream shop – no one wants melting or rock hard ice cream.

2) Reliable

My neighbors are retired and travel often. They pay me $10/day to keep their many plants watered. I know their plants are very important to them and therefore I write down a daily reminder for myself to water the plants so that they don’t get dry.
I routinely showed up 10 minutes before my summer job started. This allowed me a few extra minutes to get settled so that I was ready to go the minute my actual shift started.
I live in an area that can have unexpected traffic so I know to allow 15 extra minutes for driving so that I arrive on time for my shift.

3) Works Well with Others

Each Saturday my siblings and I are in charge of cleaning our rooms and bathrooms which include dusting, vacuuming and wiping down bathroom services. One of us plays music to make the work fun and we let each other know when we are done with particular cleaning items and equipment such as the vacuum.
When I worked at Starbucks, the mornings were of course the busiest time of the day. I would regularly ask my teammates if they needed help anytime I had an extra minute or two. They always appreciated the extra hands and proactive attitude.

4) Good Customer Service Skills

While this would be my first official job, I strive to be respectful and kind when interacting with friends and adults. Whenever I see neighbors outside and when family comes over to visit, I make a point to say hello and greet them by name.
When I worked at H&M, my job was to greet customers and ask if they were looking for something in particular. Sometimes people answered me and sometimes they didn’t – I maintained a professional attitude either way. I would often smile and let my natural energy shine.

Two teenager working at a fast food restaurant. Serving patrons pop corn and soda

5) Problem Solver

I often accompany my Grandma to the grocery store to help her pick out the items that she needs. One time we weren’t finding the cut of meat she needed to make dinner that night so I asked the person behind the meat counter if they happened to have any more skirt steak in the back. Sure enough they did.
Last summer I worked our park district soccer camp and one of the younger kids would get really sad every time a family member dropped him off in the morning. I asked him to be my “morning helper” and together we finished setting up all the stations. The 1:1 time and attention really helped him feel more comfortable at camp.

Other Job Interview Tips

Make sure you are professionally dressed for the interview situation at hand. I have written several articles that delve in the details of how to make a good impression right off the bat.
If a job description was made available during the application process, give it another read the day of the interview so that the job responsibilities are fresh in your mind. Highlight how you will be a good choice to perform the required responsibilities. If you have questions about a specific responsibility or duty, by all means ask the person conducting the interview.
Keep your cell phone out of sight. My recommendation is to leave it in your car to avoid any potential calls or text messages during the interview. You’ll have a lot on your mind the day of the interview and very well could forget to put your phone on silent mode.
Take a deep breath or a series of deep breaths before walking into the interview. This can help calm down an overly active central nervous system!
If you are seated when the interviewer comes out to meet you, stand up, make direct eye contact and greet the individual by name. “Hi Melissa, it’s so nice to meet you.” If a handshake feels comfortable to you, offer your hand. Totally ok if you choose not to as well.
No gum chewing during the interview. Totally fine to accept a glass of water if offered or bring your own if you feel you may need it.
Try to use the interviewer’s name a few times throughout the interview. This tactic conveys confidence and strong people skills – traits that hiring managers are typically seeking in employees. “That’s a great question, Gavin. I feel like I would be a good addition to Lakewood pool because…”
Demonstrate strong body language throughout the interview. Sit up straight and keep your hands either on the table or in your lap to avoid touching your face or hair as nervous habits. Keep your attention and eyes focused on the interviewer. No fidgeting.
Smile and don’t be afraid to show your personality throughout the discussion.
Be sure and capture clear next steps before you leave the interview. This might look like “When can I expect to hear back on your final decision?” or “You mentioned the next step in the process is meeting the branch Manager – is there a particular day/time that works for her schedule?”

Questions to ask

Be prepared with a list of your own questions as interviewers often ask “Do you have any questions for me?”

As early as possible in the interview, ask some version of “What qualities are you looking for in a candidate?” or “What is most important to you as you consider a summer nanny for your kids? Based on what the interviewer shares, for example “I am looking for someone who is reliable, hardworking and can act professionally,” you can tailor your responses to highlight how you embody these qualities. It ensures that you are proactively checking the box on the qualities and characteristics that are top of mind for the hiring manager.
At the end of the interview, ask “based on our conversation, is there anything that would prevent me from getting hired or moving to the next round in the interview process?” If the interviewer has any lingering doubts about you as a candidate, this is their chance to bring up the concerns and give you a chance to answer. For example, the hiring manager may say “Well, my concern is that you haven’t worked as a server in the past and I need someone who can get up and running fast” Then, you can share an example of how you worked extra hard to learn something new really quickly. You don’t have to have the perfect response or example but rather you are offering assurances that you have the qualities to meet this challenge (hard worker, quick learner, eager).
If a decision is not made at the end of your interview as to whether you are hired, ask when you can expect to hear back on next steps. Based on the answer, you can absolutely follow-up via phone or email if you don’t hear anything back during the timeframe that was shared.

Image of a exterior building sign with the words "Ask" illuminated

Preparation

It is perfectly normal to feel a bit nervous before and during a job interview. The best way to prepare for the interview is to practice answering a list of common interview questions you may get asked. Having thought out a sample answer to the most common questions will make it easier to respond on the spot when nerves are heightened. Put in the time to think through a story or answer that demonstrates your work experience with the key characteristics highlighted above: responsible, reliable, good team member, customer service skills, problem solver. I like to jot down thoughts related to a topic and then practice giving my answer to potential job interview questions out loud a few times. You can even do mock interviews with a friend or family member. Be open to feedback on how you can have the most successful interview possible.

Common Questions

A seemingly easy and common question asked during an interview is “Tell me about yourself.” Prepare your answer in advance of the interview and keep it to 3-5 sentences. A sample answer might look like this: “I am a junior at Arvada West and I’m looking to get a part-time job to earn money for a car. I play on the varsity soccer team and am regularly highlighted by the coach for putting in extra effort at practice and showing leadership among the team. I am interested in working at Dick’s Sporting Goods because I have played nearly every sport in the book and would love to help people find the right equipment or clothing to be successful in their own sporting journey.” As you can see, the answer is highlighting skills of leadership, enthusiasm and knowledge – all attributes and qualities a team leader wants to see in a candidate.

Teens: Tops Tips to Prepare for a Job Interview

Table of Contents