Category: interview

As a high school student, you might feel that interviews are an intimidating and awkward experience overall. This is especially true if you don’t have any idea about how a job search goes. But it does not have to be. There are several ways to prepare you for your journey to achieving your career goals. One way is to read on as we dive into helpful job interview tips for high school students like you.

Importance of Preparing High School Students for Job Interview

An interview is not just a simple conversation between an interviewee and the interviewer. Instead, it involves students listening, focusing, thinking, and reacting appropriately to what the other person says. Furthermore, it is a great way to enhance social and communication skills. These life skills will help prepare students for college and jobs, and interviewing is a great way to enhance them.

Interview is part of the real life outside school—with real consequences if students are unprepared and a real success if they do well. It teaches the students to be responsible, adaptable, and hardworking adults. Hence, it is important for teachers, parents or guardians to prepare high school students for interviews.

What Should High School Students Expect from a Job Interview?

There are several things to expect when it comes to the interview process. Interviews vary in the questions asked and even their duration. But in general, the interview process follows the same sequence. Here is a step-by-step description of a typical interview, with details on what to expect throughout the process.

Before the Interview

At this time, the hiring manager has contacted you and asked you to come for an interview. That’s good to hear! It means that the hiring manager was impressed with your resume.

Some hiring managers ask you to provide additional material for further evaluation. Supporting documents for a job application can include a cover letter, LinkedIn profile, educational transcripts, writing samples, portfolios, certifications, a reference list, and letters of recommendation. It’s better to prepare these documents so you can submit them right away.

During the Interview

When you are called for an in-person interview, you should come early because it might take time for you to commute or drive to the office. Once you arrive, you’ll likely be asked to wait for the interviewer. While waiting, get off your phone and put it in silent mode. Be mindful of the employees around. Besides, if you are busy with your phone, you might be unaware when the interviewer called you in.

On the other hand, when you are asked to come for a virtual interview, the same preparation goes. Just because your interview can be done virtually doesn’t mean that you can slack off. Join the meeting at least 10 minutes before. That way, you won’t have to worry about last-minute technical difficulties.

Interviews can be a one-on-one interview with the manager or supervisor with whom you would be working most closely at the company. It can also be a panel interview wherein the manager is accompanied by a department head and the human resources representative. Occasionally, you will be interviewed by a human resources representative or manager.

Whatever the case, anticipate several personal, work-related, or situational questions. Be prepared to answer questions regarding your experience, skills, and achievements. No interviewer will have the same questions, so it’s best to prepare for the most common interview questions you’re likely to encounter.

After the Interview

After you leave the interview, it is good to send your interviewer a thank-you email. A simple ‘thank you’ will go a long way, and it’s a great gesture should you work there in the future.

While you’re waiting to hear from the hiring manager, it’s also the time for you to determine whether or not the role is a good fit for you. After all, the interview provided you with an outlook on the day-to-day activities, the company’s culture, and the work environment. Consider these factors to personally decide if this is a role and workplace you could see yourself in.

You should expect to hear back from the hiring manager within a week. In some cases, you might not hear back that soon. If that’s the case, it is acceptable to send a follow-up email. When you hear back, you’ll either be called to discuss the job offer, proceed with a final interview, or notified that they have chosen another candidate.

Remember that no interview is a waste of your time, even if you did not get the job or you decided not to take it. The interview process has provided you with valuable experience. Every interview gives you an opportunity to practice your communication skills.

Common Job Interview Questions for High School Students

Acing your job search depends on how well you have prepared for the interview questions. Check out these common questions to guide you.

1. Tell me about yourself.

This question might be a simple one, but it is hard to choose what is worth sharing. How you answer this question will likely steer the conversation; so be sure to share something interesting and meaningful.

As a high school student, you probably don’t have any work experience. Hence, you can tell them about your family, your hobbies and interests, or activities outside school. It shows that aside from your academics, you are engaging yourself in the community.

2. Why did you apply to our company?

Gain enough edge and learn more about the company. You can easily find details about them on their website or social media pages. These details can give you a glimpse of the company culture and how you fit in at work.

Aside from this question, they might also ask, “Why did you apply for this position?” Be sure to read the job description and align your skills that match the role.

3. Can you share a difficult experience you had and how you handled it?

Interviewers ask this question to gauge your determination and persistence when facing difficulties. It could be related to school, your home, or an extracurricular activity. Describe the scenario briefly but spend the majority of your response emphasizing what you did to overcome the obstacle.

4. What are your career goals?

Interviewers ask future-focused questions to make sure you have ambition and goals for your future. You can divide those goals into short-term goals and long-term goals. Be prepared to share some of your aspirations with the interviewer. However, not everyone has already decided what course and job to take. If you’re not clear about what you want to achieve, review these career planning tips for students like you.

After the series of questions, expect that the interviewer might ask if you have any questions about the position or the company. Asking questions shows genuine interest. It will also help you make an informed decision if the position fits your skills and career goals. Upon concluding the interview, do not expect the hiring manager to tell you definitively whether or not you have the job. However, you are free to ask when you will hear back from them. Also, don’t forget to thank your interviewer before you leave.

Job Interview Tips for High School Students

Now that you are familiar with the interview process and the common interview questions, let’s dive into foolproof job interview tips for high school students like you. Heed these advices to secure your target job post.

1. Do your research.

It is important research about the company and the position you’re applying for. It helps you understand the values, culture, and demands of the job. Not only that; doing your research shows the interviewer your interest and commitment to the job.

Browse through their company website or social media pages. You can also read about the industry they are into. That way, you’ll be able to align your answers and engage more with the hiring manager. Here are some guide questions to start with when doing your research:

• What does the company do and what do they stand for?
• Who does this company serve or who buys their products?
• What types of skills and training do their employees have?
• What type of environment do people in this job work in?

2. Practice makes perfect.

Anticipate the questions and prepare your answers ahead of time. You don’t want to scramble for words in the actual interview. Yet, remember not to be stiff and make it seem rehearsed. You can write your answers to potential questions the interviewer can ask you about; or you can use the START method when answering questions. This helps you to better assess how you respond to certain work situations.

Either way, practice your statements in front of the mirror or ask for the help of a friend. That way, you can observe distracting habits and filler words and prevent them in your actual interview. Doing a practice or mock interview with someone else will help you feel more confident and prepared going into the real one.

3. Dress the part.

Interviewees are recommended to dress one level above the position they’re applying for. This means that usual shirts, pants and skirts are not allowed. Gentlemen can wear nice button-down shirt or polo and slacks. You can’t go wrong with wearing a tie. Meanwhile, ladies should plan to wear slacks or a skirt and a blouse. Don’t forget to wear appropriate shoes for the outfit.

In addition, you should tone down your jewelry, make sure your hair is neatly groomed, and wear appropriate makeup for the girls. Be sure to prepare your attire and try it on ahead of time to see if your attire fits well.

4. Be confident and natural.

In your interview, be your best self! Work on your body language, posture, and hand gestures. While you did your research and prepared some answers, don’t make it seem like you rehearsed. Be natural, speak slowly and clearly.

5. Smile.

Finally, don’t forget that a smile goes a long way. Be sure to greet them with a smile. It shows confidence and friendliness. Don’t forget to say your goodbye with a smile of gratitude. As noted previously, this also leaves a good impression on the interviewer.

Consult with Our Career Experts for More Job Interview Tips

For high school students with little to no experience, career planning is an integral part of your professional journey. Hence, preparation is key.

Now that you have read the job interview tips for high school students, you surely can secure that job post. You can also search for job search tips and resources from experts to prepare you for your journey to achieve your career goals. We also provide  resume writing services that can help you land your target profession and realize your dreams. Connect with us today!

A successful career is within your reach when you’re ready to face the professional world. It starts with preparation, from college to internship, then to pursuing your career goals. Sounds easy? Yes, when you know what you’re doing. However, this isn’t always the case. Hence, if you’re a college student, we’ll give you some tips on how to prepare for an internship interview.

Preparing for what’s ahead is important in pursuing your chosen career. Your coursework and training programs are critical in preparing you for your future profession. Your experience is your stepping stone to achieving your goals. That’s why you need to make sure your experience in college and internship can give you the exposure you need.

What Should You Expect in an Internship Interview?

Common Internship Interview Questions

“How to prepare for an internship interview?” Run through some common interview questions online and try answering them. This way, you can practice expressing yourself fluently and on point. To help you be confident in answering even the most difficult questions, here’s a list of common internship interview topics and questions.

1. Tell me about yourself.

2. Why do you want an internship at this company?

3. What are your career goals?

4. Why do you want to be in this industry?

5. What can you bring to the company?

6. How good are you at working with other people?

7. How would you handle conflict with your school and internship schedules?

8. We have a long list of candidates; why should we choose you?

How to Prepare for an Internship Interview

1. Research about the company.

2. Create an elevator pitch.

4. Search for interview questions.

5. Plan what to wear at least a day before the interview.

6. Get ready for the big day.

There’s no better way of preparing for the interview than a mock interview. You can ask someone to practice with you. You can use the interview questions above as the flow of conversation.

If your interview is online, you can practice by preparing your equipment by running a tech test. Record yourself while answering the questions so you can review it afterwards. While watching it, observe the way you talk and your gestures.

7. Highlight your qualifications.

8. Bring the necessary documents.

9. Prepare questions for the end.

10. Send thank-you and follow-up letters.

What’s Next After an Internship Interview

Knowing how to prepare for an internship interview is critical to landing a program. However, what you’ll do after is also crucial. This time is your opportunity to prepare for the next step—the internship itself and the requirements needed for it.

In addition, while waiting for the interview results, do things that will enhance your skills. You can attend seminars and equip yourself with the knowledge necessary for the career path you want to take. Don’t forget to work on the requirements that hiring managers might ask you to submit.

Highlights

• Preparation for an internship interview includes getting ready for face-to-face, phone, and virtual interviews.
• Search for common interview questions and try answering them.
• Do research about the company and the position you want to pursue.
• Read through the job description and the requisites for the post.
• Follow tips from career experts on how to prepare for an internship interview.

Land Your Target Internship Program with the Help of Experts

Pursuing your career requires preparation—from setting your career goals, to taking a degree and immersing yourself in an internship, to applying for your first job. There are several ways you can do to ensure you’re ready to embark on this journey.

Guess what? You can arm yourself with tips not just on how to prepare for an internship interview, but also on other aspects of job search with Resume Professional Writers. We have career advice written by industry experts and career coaches to guide you in your job search. Not only that; we also have articles about interviews, job hunting, workplace culture, resume and cover letter writing, and resume services reviews.

What are you waiting for? Visit our website and leverage our career tips to better prepare for success.

To ensure that they would hire the best person for the job role, hiring managers surprise job searchers with tough questions. Answer “why are you applying for this position?” fluently and take a step closer to your target job post. Read these tips and prepare for the job interview to ace your next career!

Why Hiring Managers Ask This Interview Question

Job interview is one of the crucial steps in the hiring process. The hiring managers ask questions that would gauge the applicants’ skills and attitude. At this stage, they also ask questions that would challenge job searchers, such as “why are you applying for this position?” Presented are reasons behind this query.

1. To verify whether you’ve done your research

One of the perks of online job hiring is the ability of job searchers to send resumes to multiple companies. Other job searchers could even apply through social media pages or leave their resumes on the company website. Because of convenience, there is a tendency to email blast resumes without thorough reading. Learn about the company before heading to the interview. This question is asked to check whether you reviewed the job description.

2. To ensure that you know the job post

Hiring managers also check your knowledge about the job post. You can mention the platform where you applied and how you found them. Don’t send resumes without reviewing the job roles, for those are the crucial aspect of your target post.

3. To see your enthusiasm

Knowing the job role is a sign of your interest in winning the target job post. Reviewing the job role could help you answer other tough questions, too. For instance, knowing the job role and the core values of the team can ground your statements. These could also help you create more impressive answers.

4. To find out your goals and career path

During the job interview, they also want to know your career goals and whether it’s aligned to the job post. Of course, hiring managers avoid hiring uncertain staff that would leave the team immediately. They want to hire the right staff through thorough screening since the job process takes great time and effort. They want people who plan to stay longer and progress in the career pathway.

5. To get a glimpse of your role in the team

Aside from skills, hiring managers also check the candidates’ attitude and role in the team. They want to hire team players who are adaptive and leaders of their own. Show that you are a valuable staff and leave a good impression during the interview through well-versed answers.

How to Answer the Question “Why Are You Applying For This Position?”

Although job interviews seem tough, there are ways on how to ace it. Here are tips on how you can prepare for a job interview.

1. Research the company.

Know the company and gain enough edge in this cutthroat competition. You can easily find little details about them on their website or social media pages. These details can give you a glimpse of the entire company culture and give you an overview of their expectations from job searchers like you.

2. Showcase your skills.

This is also a great chance to sell your skills to the hiring managers. Upon knowing the job roles based on your research, you can relate your skills to your answers. Talk about these skills and how they make you the ideal candidate for the job post without sounding too boastful. Take note, emphasize relevant skills and discuss related works based on the topic. The resume can take care of the other skills.

3. Relate to your career goals.

After selling your skills, you can also share to them your career plans. This is important because hiring managers are keen on this part; after all, they want long-term staff on their employ. Sharing your career goals can also give them a bigger picture of what they can provide you to become a better team member.

4. Show your eagerness.

Apart from the answers, they are also watching your tone, attitude, and body language. Answer their questions with enough confidence and use positive words. You can also ask smart questions to show that you are eager to learn more. However, take caution in asking obvious questions, for it might be a sign that you didn’t do enough research.

5. Be specific.

Since you have enough details about the job role and thought about your skills, you can mention specific events from your previous company that would prove your achievements. Aside from that, you can also mention specific trait or value of the company that attracted you to apply and join their team.

Why Are You Applying For This Position: Example Answers and Tips

Here are sample answers for this interview question.

Sample 1:

The experiences I have gained over the past four years as a content writer prepared me for more career opportunities. As mentioned in your company’s website, the team is expanding and I believe that being part of these projects will improve my skills while contributing to the company’s growth.

This answer shows that you have read about the plans of the team. The answer also includes your plan to use experiences and skills to help both you and your team grow.

Sample 2:

While I enjoy working in my previous team, I believe that my six years of experience as a graphic artist is enough to gain skills to progress in my career. As mentioned in the job post, this role offers great chances to help me develop my skills and create designs for industry leaders like you.

Compared to sample 1, this answer relates to more seasoned job searchers and their readiness to take on the next job role.

Prepare for the Job Post with Effective Job Interview Tips

Job interviews can appear as mind boggling, especially for fresh graduates and entry-level job seekers. However, proper preparation will help you answer tough questions such as “why are you applying for this position?” Aside from reading common interview questions, you can also gain more edge with a topnotch resume! Partner with our resume experts and prepare for the job with the best resume and interview coaching tips. Contact us for more!