It’s an iconic moment for your teen.
They’ve just been invited to their first job interview!
While this can be super exciting, it can be equally nerve-wracking – for you both.
That’s why we’ve created a handy little checklist to help you help your child not just navigate, but ace their first job interview.
Check it out!
- Do your research!
This might be a no-brainer, but don’t underestimate the importance of having some basic knowledge about the business or company your child’s interviewing for. Have your child sit with you to thoroughly read the job description (and then read it again). Then, ask them – what can they learn from this job description in order to nail the interview?
- Do a mock interview
Good interview prep will help your child build confidence. And what better way than practicing interview questions at home?
Have your child think about what questions their interviewer might ask and have a little mock interview. Some example questions might include:
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Why do you want to work for this business or company?
- What makes you the best person for the job?
- What value can you bring to a team?
- What skills do they have that would make them good at this job?
- What are their goals for the future?
Some other things to think about (and provide feedback on):
It’s all in the body language. Remind your child to think about their posture – walk tall and sit up straight to appear engaged during their interview. Practise a solid handshake. Make eye contact, and demonstrate active listening – this can look like nodding while the interviewer is speaking and sound like tying answers back to things that were said earlier.
Encourage them to take their time answering questions. There’s no need to rush when answering the interviewer’s questions – encourage your child to think carefully about their responses. Sipping a glass of water every now and then can be a great way to buy a little time!
Encourage them to sell their achievements. This might make them feel a little uncomfortable at first, but remind your teen that acknowledging their achievements (far from bragging) is simply providing evidence that they’re suitable for the job being advertised.
Aside from helping prepare them for the interview in real life, doing a mock interview is a great way for them to understand themselves better and what value/assets they can bring to the job.
- Final preparations
Don’t forget to ensure your child prepares copies of their resume and any relevant certificates, make sure they plan what they want to wear (remember, dress to impress!), and organise their transportation ahead of time.
- Follow up with the interviewer
A post-interview follow-up isn’t just professional but can be a fantastic learning opportunity.
If they’ve been successful (woohoo!) it’s a great time to thank the interviewer and get all the info they need to start their new job.
If they’ve been unsuccessful, try to encourage them to see it as an opportunity for personal growth and request constructive feedback from the interview in order to improve next time.
