With many of Desert Vista’s students heading off into the workforce, it is important to represent yourself and your school in the best possible way with these tips.

Tip #1:

Arrive for your interview 15 minutes early.  If you are unsure of how to get to the interview, make sure to look at a map beforehand. Reliability is a major concern for employers of teens, and late arrival will often kill your chances of getting the job.

Tip #2:

First impressions are a big deal.  Be careful with the way you dress yourself to show the employer that you are taking the job seriously.  The manager will be especially concerned with your appearance if you are in a customer contact position like a server or store clerk. Wear wrinkle-free clothing.  For most jobs, business casual will be okay. That means a pair of pants and a collared shirt for guys.  Girls should wear a nice shirt and pair it with a skirt of appropriate length.

Tip #3:

Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake, a warm smile and look them in the eye.  Make a mental note of their name and use it during the interview.  Always address the interviewer as “Mister” or “Miss”. Employers will be evaluating how you might interact with their staff and customers, who are mostly adults.

Tip #4:

Turn your cell phone off to avoid the temptation of taking a peek at it any time before, during or after the meeting. Employers are worried about losing productivity among teen employees who are often checking their phones.

Tip #5:

At the end of the interview, ask a few questions about the job.  Focus on areas like the nature of the work, training, supervision and when you might expect to hear from them.  Don’t bring up pay.  If the job seems like a good fit, tell them that you would really like the job.