On-the-Job Primer

Answers to Questions about Job Interviews

The following are questions and experiences you might face as a new job hunter or as someone who is currently on-the-job.  The answers will help you understand and navigate the work environment.

If you have a question about work that you would like answered, please visit the Ask the Author page to find out more information about how to submit your question.

 

Q. What should a teen wear to a job interview?  Do you dress differently for different types of jobs?

A. In general, teens should dress conservatively for a job interview.  That means first of all, dressing neat and not wearing jeans, sneakers, or anything provocative.  Then, there are some differences in how you should dress when going on interviews for different types of jobs.

If you will be working in an office environment, particularly in a large company, girls should wear a skirt, blouse and blazer, or business-type suit for an interview.  Boys should wear a suit, or nice pants, shirt, tie and blazer. 

For less formal jobs, such as in small offices, retail stores, and restaurants, you can dress a little more "business casual".  For girls, that means wearing a nice pair of pants with a tailored blouse or sweater. For boys, nice chinos, a shirt and tie, or shirt and blazer without a tie. 

Even if the work environment is more casual, you should dress nicely for the interview.  Then, discuss the dress code with your manager once you are hired for the job.

If you are going on an interview for a volunteer job, you should follow the same guidelines as that for paid jobs.  When you are a volunteer in an organization, you are like an employee, so you want to give the same good impression as if you were in a paid position.  Many volunteer jobs are in hospitals and other non-profit organizations.  You should use "business casual" guidelines as noted above for this type of interview. 

Remember that many volunteer positions can lead to paid positions, so you want to put your best foot forward when interviewing for these positions.

The job market for teens in the past several years has been very competitive.  It is even more so today with a tightening economy.  Therefore, you will want to make the best impression you can on your future employers.  Dressing appropriately for the job interview tells the interviewer you understand the work environment, you are interested in the job, and you want to make a good impression. 

 

Q.  As a teen, what kind of pay can I expect for my first job?  Should I ask for a particular salary when I interview for a job?

A.  When you are just starting out in the job market, you may not make much more than the minimum wage when you work in certain places like a supermarket, department store, or small retail business.   There are federal and state minimum wages, and you must get paid the higher of the two. You can find your state's minimum wage on the Department of Labor website.  However, depending on your age, and the type of work you do, you can be paid higher than the minimum wage. For example, if you are hired into a cooperative program with a large business, you are likely to make more money, but again, that will depend on the business. 

As a teenager just starting out in the work world, I understand you want to make some money to begin to have a sense of independence and a way to buy the things you need and want.  However, as a teen, the experience you will gain by working at any type of job is far more important than the salary you make.  You may not realize it, but even in the most mundane job, you are gaining important skills as you learn to navigate the workplace and interact with colleagues and managers.  Then, when you have worked at one job, you have gained experience for the next and the ability to make more money.

Regarding the job interview and asking for a particular salary:  Whether you are just starting out in the workplace or have worked for many years, you should not mention your salary requirements unless asked by the interviewer.  The purpose of the job interview is for the interviewer and you to determine if you are a fit for the job.  If the manager thinks you are qualified for the job, and you are interested in taking the job, usually the manager will discuss salary with you.  Before you go on a job interview, try to get a sense of what a similar job would pay.  Therefore, if there is a discussion about salary, you will know if what you are being offered is fair. Unless you have had prior work experience, and have made more money than what is being offered, it is usually best to accept a fair, if not ideal salary.  If you have had experience, and the salary offered is less than what you have made before, and the job is comparable or involves greater responsibility, it is okay for you to mention your previous salary and what you had anticipated as a salary.  Hopefully, the manager and you will come to an agreement on a fair salary amount.

 

Q. Before getting a job, why do you have to give personal information like your social security number on the job application?

(Alfonzo, Massachusetts)

A. This is a very good question.  Employers ask for a candidate's social security number for two reasons:  (1) It is a person's unique identifier.  Your social security number is unique to you, and therefore if the employer wants to verify past employment or school graduation records, checking your name against your social security number will ensure they are identifying the correct individual.  (2) A person's social security number is also a Tax ID#.  In order to get paid by an employer, you must have a social security card.  Federal, State and Local taxes are calculated based on your salary, and sent to the taxing authorities.  Even if someone comes from another country to work in the U.S. for the summer with a valid work visa, he or she must go down to the social security office to obtain a social security number.  This number is then registered with the employer, and the person's income is taxed accordingly, with the social security number serving as the unique identifier for that person.

Please remember to secure your social security card in a safe place, and be cautious about how it is used.  Employers must have your social security number, and certain other institutions such as health insurance companies.  As your unique identifier, you must protect it, so that your identity is not stolen.  Identity theft can be very difficult to rectify if it occurs.

 

Q. “Why do you have to be interviewed instead of just getting the job?”

(Eric, Massachusetts)

A. Eric, when an employer is looking for someone to fill a job, he or she is looking for a particular type of person to fill a particular job.  Every job involves a specific level of experience and type of person.  Sometimes a person could have the necessary experience, but may not like a particular type of work, or have a personality that doesn’t fit that particular job.  The interview process allows the employer to find the person who is the right fit for the job.  When someone is interviewed, the employer takes into account the person’s background and experience as well as the person’s general attitude, personality, communication skills, and many other things when thinking of the job that must be done. 

There are some jobs that almost anyone can do.  These are usually clerical type jobs, that involve things like reception work, filing or light computer work.  But even in these types of jobs, you may need to know what type of computer skills someone has, or if the person can speak well on the phone.  If you want to do part-time work as a waiter or waitress, the employer will want to know if you can carry a lot of dishes, whether you like working with people, etc.  You can’t be a good waiter or waitress if you can’t lift, or have a scowl on your face. 

That is why every young adult needs to prepare for a job interview for even what may be considered the most basic job.  An employer will be looking at everything about you to make a decision if you are right for the job.

 

Q. I always get nervous when I have to go on a job interview. How can I be more confident and relaxed when I go on an interview?

A. This is a common problem, especially for young people who are new to the work world.  You don’t know what to expect, and maybe you have never been employed or had only a first job.  However, even experienced workers can feel flustered at an interview.

The first thing you have to remember is that you have something to offer the employer, and think about what it is about yourself that you want to impress on the employer.

Before you go on an interview, be sure that you have prepared a resume.  Even if you have never worked, think of work-type activities you may have performed at school, at home and in your neighborhood.  Did you baby-sit, do yard work for someone, help an elderly neighbor, help in a fund raising activity in school or church, etc.  All of these things are a type of “work” you accomplished.  Also, be sure to mention those skills in which you excel.  There are many resources on writing a resume, and I have sample resumes in Teens and the Job Game.  Your parents or a teacher can also help you put one together.  It should just be a one page summary of your work and special skills.

As you are putting your resume together, think about all of your skills and strengths.  You might be especially skilled at math or computers, or writing, or communicating with other people.  These are special skills you should mention on your resume, and also remember when you are in the interview.  Also, remember things that are important to the workplace such as time management and organization.  If you are organized, and manage your time well, these are important strengths you should keep in mind when speaking to an employer.  If you think through all of your skills and strengths, you will begin to feel more confident as you go into the interview, because you will realize what you have to offer.

Also, if you go into the interview dressed appropriately and are on-time, remember you are making your first good impression.  Even if you are a little nervous, don’t forget to smile at the person who is going to interview you.  Make eye contact.  Shake his or her hand firmly.  Offer your resume for her review.  Most employers will ask you to elaborate on points you mention on the resume.  This is why it’s so important to have a resume.  You are giving the employer a frame of reference, and you will be familiar with what he or she is going to ask you.  Speak in a confident voice.  Ask questions as they come to mind when the employer is explaining about the job.  It will show the employer that you are thinking and curious.  As the employer is telling you about the job, think of all the ways you can be of value in that job.  Mention these to the employer.

Finally, remember that most employers realize that young adults have not had too much experience interviewing.  They will cut you some slack for nervousness.  However, if you are prepared for the interview – being appropriately dressed and providing a resume – you will make a very good first impression.  The more interviews you go on, the more confident you will get.  Just give it time, and realize that you have something that the employer needs. 

See the Career Resources section of this website for more resources on interviewing skills.

REMEMBER THESE IMPORTANT JOB INTERVIEW TIPS:

• Dress appropriately for the interview. Don’t wear jeans or sneakers, no matter how casual you perceive a work site to be.
  
  Girls: Wear a nice skirt and sweater or blouse with a jacket if you have one.
  Boys: Wear nice pants with collared shirt and blazer. If you are interviewing at a major corporation or financial services firm, you should wear a suit and tie.

• Always leave plenty of time to arrive on time for the interview. It’s better to be very early, than to be late
• Remember to always to walk in an employer’s office with a smile. Have a firm handshake.
• Check over your resume one last time before you leave the house.

 

Q. I have just graduated from high school and I am trying to secure a junior position in my career field.  So far, all of the employers I have interviewed with say that they need someone with more experience.  How can I gain experience if no one will hire me and try me out?

A.  This is a very common experience for new graduates, on both the high school and college level.  It can be very frustrating to come out of school with new skills and not find an employer willing to give you a chance.  First of all, don’t give up!  Finding work in this competitive world means that those who are more experienced will usually have the first chance at a job.  However, when you meet an employer who is more open to hiring young, inexperienced people, he or she will give you a chance if you appear mature, make a good impression in the interview, and can state your leadership abilities evidenced in volunteer work, or special projects you may have been involved in when you were in school.

Sometimes you might have to accept a job that is more junior to the one you applied for.  If this is your first foray into work after graduating, it may be worth taking the junior job and moving up the ladder.  If you read Teens and the Job Game, you will note that I had to take jobs for which I was overqualified several times over my work career. Sometimes I volunteered in facilities that were related to my career interest, while I worked in another company for money.  Remember that every job and volunteer experience is a stepping stone for the next level.