Tips to Ace a Summer Job Interview

As the summer approaches, many of the college and high school kids are left with nothing to do and free time. This is a prime time for summer jobs and work. What can a person say or do when undergoing an interview that will make him stand above the rest? Why is it that some people will struggle to get a job, while others can find work seemingly effortlessly? I wanted to find out, since I was one of those people that always had trouble during interviews. I learned that the best way to do this was to put myself in the shoes of the employer. I needed to experience an interview from the employer's perspective. I needed to learn what their thought processes were like. In efforts for this experiment, I posted fliers around my school stating that I was hiring for some menial chores I needed finished. While each individual chore or job warranted a certain type of person, I found that there were a few select characteristics that every good applicant had.

The following tips have been compiled from my research:

1. Your resume must grab the attention of the employer within 10 seconds. Employers are going to sift through many resumes, it is essential to have one that sticks out.

2. Be at the interview a few minutes early, never be late!

3. Keep your phone off.

4. Know the ins and outs of the company. Remember, you WANT to work there, so tell them why.

5. Make copies of your resume, make sure to bring extras.

6. Carry a notepad with you.

7. Dress in a conservative fashion.

8. Make sure your online accounts are clean. (Take out any embarrassing facebook pictures)

9. Do not crack jokes.

10. Do not babble on and on, maintain your composure as best you can.

11. Do not talk trash about any employee, especially bosses.

12. Do not flirt.

13. Do not play around with anything around you, focus on the interview.

14. Some things are better off not said at all.

15. Maintain eye contact with whoever is interviewing you.

16. Have a defined set of goals, be prepared to illustrate your dreams.

17. Make a list of your accomplishments, be prepared to impress.

18. Have hobbies and passions, illustrate your love of life.

19. Ask some questions, this will show you are interested.

20. Send the employer a note of thanks.