My first job interview (tips please)

[Jaged]

I have been applying to places like mad trying to get a job. I have had no luck until now. I finaly got a callback from Tulley's Cafe. I am going in to interview this monday at 11am. I am psyched. However I have never had a job interview before. What should I do? How should I act or dress?

[Setari]

Dress nicely. I think most people recommend shirt and tie, but I suppose it depends on the place you're being interviewed by.

[Jaged]

Its a generic coffee shop chain that exists in three states. How would you think I should dress for that?

[Kyonye]

Do not overdress. Where Khaki's and a nice button down shirt. I would suggest tie. and make sure that your shirt and tie match!


Just show confidence in yourself. sit up straight. DO NOT SLOUCH! <-- I don't know how to spell the word! Be positive with all your answers. If you need to take time to answer a question, then take a little bit of time. Don't rush any questions.

Also, if they ask you the infamous question, "tell me about yourself," don't talk about life stories. they want to know about YOU! not your life history.

Remember to be objective, and not subjective. Basically be neutral with your answers, unless permitted otherwise (subjective = biased). Don't say something like, "I have great organizational skills," (that is subjective).

I know it is a small (It could be big, but i'm not sure), yet important interview, but these are small basics that you should know.

[321]

Tell them that Hamma will come and eat their babies if they don't hire you, if they are not intimidated present picture of Hamma with hammer.

[Jaged]

Also, if they ask you the infamous question, "tell me about yourself," don't talk about life stories. they want to know about YOU! not your life history.

Remember to be objective, and not subjective. Basically be neutral with your answers, unless permitted otherwise (subjective = biased). Don't say something like, "I have great organizational skills," (that is subjective).
So what should I say if they ask that?

[Mag-Mower]

My tips( I have an 80% hire rate after interview. 4/5)

-Don't Answer negatively
-Dress accordingly, don't wear a suit if your going to be trying to get a job at cash
-Confidence, thats really important
-Positive answers
-Be friendly, don't act too nervous
-Honesty, but feel free to add a bit if necessary
-Just have a good attitude.

[GraniteRok]

Some of the more interesting interview questions I've had....

Who's the most important person in the company?

Describe yourself with one word.

Name three people that have made an impression on you.

[xmodum]

You know what my first job interview was? Yesterday I said to my friend "Hey cockface, can I work with you and your dad at your Military repair shop?", "Sure thing salad-tosser.", "Awesome."

I start monday.

[OneManArmy]

Tell them you want to DHITB.

and you wont take a penny less than ITB.

then wank on the table.


seriously, it's a fucking coffee shop. just be calm and relaxed and speak clearly and you'll be fine.

[Mag-Mower]

Some of the more interesting interview questions I've had....

Who's the most important person in the company?

Describe yourself with one word.

Name three people that have made an impression on you.

Me

Awesome

Stalin, Hamma, and Smedly

:p

But damn, those are hard questions... You gotta use Corporate Speak for the first one, be humble on the second one, and dont say too much about the 3rd one...

[Electrofreak]

Best thing at an interview is to answer the questions honestly and confidently. Don't answer every question with the "right" answer (the question you think they want to hear). If you BS just to them what they think they want to hear, they'll probably pick up on it.

For example. If someone asks you why you want to work at the place, don't tell them it's been your life dream to work at a cafe. :p Be honest, but at the same time highlight reasons why you feel it's a good job. (Gaining customer service experience, good hours, etc). I think the best thing to do in an interview is to say something unique, something the interviewer doesn't hear from everyone else. You want to stand out against those other people he's interviewing. Don't tell him your life story, but try to be unique with your answers to his questions and not just provide a cookie-cutter response. Lastly, don't take forever with each response. Tell him too much and it'll all become a blur to the interviewer. Tell him only the important things he needs to know.

Example:

BAD: "Why do you want to work here?" "I've always wanted to be an [insert job title here], and this seemed like a great place to work!"

GOOD: "Why do you want to work here?" "I like the atmosphere. Everyone who works here seems to look like they're enjoying their work and it really appeals to me."

Another tip is, when they ask you to talk about yourself, don't be too humble. Confidently outline the reasons why you are qualified. Some people don't like to feel like they're bragging at an interview, but ultimately the interviewer wants to know why you're good for the job. Showing confidence and an understanding of your own abilities will easily put you at the top of the list.

BAD: "So, what kind of previous experience do you have that would help with this job?" "Uhhmmm... well... I worked at a lemonade stand at a carnival once... uhmm... and... sorta did some things for my school during sports games..."

GOOD: "So, what kind of previous experience do you have that would help with this job?" "Well, I helped manage a beverage stand at the town carnival last year, which ended up pulling in over x amount of profit over 3 days. In addition, I've done volunteer work for my school during sports events, selling refreshments to the fans. It was difficult at first to keep up with the demand during half-time, but I learned quickly."

I've had good interviews and I've had bad interviews. You learn from the bad ones more than you do the good, ironically. I seriously screwed up some interviews I had a few years back when I was job hunting. I didn't prepare myself, and was nervous, so when I got asked questions I didn't expect (and there will likely be some) I didn't know how to respond, so I just provided a cookie cutter response. In some cases, I got so nervous I just rambled. For example at one interview, when the interviewer asked me if I drank alcohol, I ended up spending about 5 minutes telling him about a promise I made to my grandfather that I wouldn't become an alcoholic like he did. Yeah... a real winner of a response.

Last tip: if you get offered a glass of water, take it. It seems wierd and trivial, but you'd be surprised how dry your mouth gets during an uncomfortable interview (and some are easier to deal with than others). Taking a quick sip also is a good way of stalling while you come up with an answer to a question.

Try not to be too tense, but at the same time don't appear uninterested. Remember, confidence is key. Give the interviewer a good smile, shake his hand, and look at him when you reply to his questions. Give him the impression that you know what you're doing and his company deserves to have you.

Thats about all I've got to add. I'll be honest, I'm not the world expert on interviews, but I messed up a whole lot of them back in the day, and learned from my mistakes, and all of my recent interviews have led to job positions. It's all in your attitude and your character. Give the interviewer the impression that you're confident and unique and you'll probably get the job, even if you're not totally qualified. :D

EDIT- Holy fuck I wrote a book! I need to learn when to shut the hell up... reminds me of one of my bad interviews :lol:

[Jaged]

Very very helpful electro, thanks a ton.

One thing is that I have zero experience in sales or customer relations. I have never had a job before and never done anything like this.

Edit: I just remembred one time I sold tickets for a school band concert for an hour. It was really nothing... me and a friend sat there and talked while people would come up to us and hand us a dollar and we would hand them a ticket. Should I mention that and would that alone be enough to answer the question?

[Hamma]

Confidence is key, don't ramble.

The question I hate the most during interviews is "Name your weaknesses" :ugh:

I am not weak, fool. GIVE ME THE JOB!11ONE

[Giovanni]

Just put out.

[Kyonye]

Very very helpful electro, thanks a ton.

One thing is that I have zero experience in sales or customer relations. I have never had a job before and never done anything like this.

Edit: I just remembred one time I sold tickets for a school band concert for an hour. It was really nothing... me and a friend sat there and talked while people would come up to us and hand us a dollar and we would hand them a ticket. Should I mention that and would that alone be enough to answer the question?

You will gain experience in customer relations quickly. just remember to be nice. try not to be a fake nice. People can pick up on that so just be yourself (as long as you are a nice person).

[Electrofreak]

Very very helpful electro, thanks a ton.

One thing is that I have zero experience in sales or customer relations. I have never had a job before and never done anything like this.

Edit: I just remembred one time I sold tickets for a school band concert for an hour. It was really nothing... me and a friend sat there and talked while people would come up to us and hand us a dollar and we would hand them a ticket. Should I mention that and would that alone be enough to answer the question?

Nah, that'll probably make you sound a bit desperate. If it's not something you really learned from or gave you any kind of significant amount of experience, don't mention it at the interview. I doubt an hour of ticket sales gave you a deep inner look into the workings of customer service.

If you don't have past experience to bank upon, focus on your personality and goals. School experience is a good thing to throw out there if you've got nothing else. If all else fails and you have nothing, be honest and explain that this will be your first major work in customer service, but make the point that you're all the more interested in the job because of the experience, and let them know you're a quick learner. Experience is great for an employer to have in an employee, but if the employee can learn quickly then it's not a big problem. As I said before, confidence and attitude are what its all about. Whether you're actually qualified is second to that.

And yeah, the "what are your weaknesses" question sucks. Answer it as truthfully as you can without BSing. You want to downplay the drawbacks to hiring you but not tell them always what they expect to hear.

[Ivan]

Smile, might not seem like a big thing but it helps. Don't do a wierd scary smile...
http://chicagofilm.com/_images/walken/walken2_267x146.jpg

But just a normal "I'm happy to be here / happy to meet you" smile.

[Jaged]

WOOT I just did the interview today and they called me back in a few hours saying I got the job. Training is wensday, thursday and friday and after that I start! Im so excited this is my first job.

The tips helped, thanks. :)

[Hamma]

:thumbsup:

[Giovanni]

Don't forget... PUT OUT!