5 Popular Holiday Job Interview Questions for Teens

As the Thanksgiving holidays and the Christmas season approach, some high school teens are making pplanning to work in holiday jobs. With the unemployment rate at almost 10%, teenagers looking for work will have to compete with many unemployed job seekers as employers ramp up for an unsure holiday season.

In addition to preparing to answer these holiday job interview questions this season, teens should be encouraged to start their holiday job search by writing a resume. Too many teens do not take resume writing seriously and do not understand how a high school resume can give an advantage in the holiday job search.

As your teens prepare for job interviews, these 5 important job interview questions that employers tend to ask high school teens in the interview must be practiced. These interview questions for teens and the rationale behind them will help high school teens give the best answers to land a holiday job this season.

1. Tell me about yourself?
The employer is trying to learn more details about the teen's skills, abilities and maybe some personal interests. Teens should make the answer short. Remember, you still have the rest of the interview to go. A job search tip I always give to teens is to answer this question with information from the recent past, something current and a quick plan for the future. Example of how a teen could answer this in a holiday job interview: "Past - I attended XYZ Middle School and have been doing babysitting for three years. Present - I am currently a sophomore at ABC High School and I am enrolled in three honors classes. I am a part of the future engineers club. Future - Next summer, I am hoping to do an engineering internship.

2. Why do you want a holiday job here?

This is a good time to share with the job interviewer why you are applying for this specific job and why you would be a good fit for that company. In your answer to this holiday job interview question, teens should try to match interests with with the company. For example, if the teen likes technology, share that with the employer if applying to a technology store or to work in a technology department. If a teen likes art, share that as the reason for applying to that specific holiday job. This is not the time to talk about the employee discount or to tell the employer that your friend works there. As a high school4. Tell me about a problem you had and how you solved it? teen you can speak to how close the job is to home or school or that you are saving for something specific like a summer trip, sports camp or your first car.

3. What would teachers or coaches say about you?
A. This is an opportunity to speak about outstanding outcomes in a favorite class or school activity. Mention teachers who would be able to give you a good letters of recommendation. This answer will tell the employer a lot about you. Please be sure to bring the names and contact information for teachers, coaches or other professionals who would give a good word of reference for the teen.

The interviewer is trying to get insight into the teen's critical thinking skills. Teens can use an example at school, which shows how they may have resolved an issue or conflict by asking questions or seeking help. Be sure to use stories with positive outcomes.

5. How many hours can you work?

Share your availability to work daily or hourly. If you are looking for a holiday job in retail keep in mind that on the days when you might want to be with family and friends for holiday parties, could be the day that the company needs you the most. Remember also, that there may be laws that impact the hours that teens are able to work on their holiday jobs.