March 4, 2019

If your teenager has made it this far, congratulations! An interview offer means an applicant made a strong impression and is being seriously considered. To help your teen have a successful interview, here are some basic tips you can share:

1. Arrive 10 minutes early with your cell phone off and out of sight.
2. Dress conservatively and professionally. Employers assume an interviewee looks the best that he or she is going to look. If your teen wears an un-tucked shirt or stained pants, it sends the message that he or she would not bother to meet a dress code once hired.
3. No strong odor (B.O. or perfume), un-fresh breath or overdone make-up, hair, nails or jewelry. An applicant should be remembered for solid answers, not for hot breath, strong perfume, or flashy nails.
4. Learn about the company. Encourage your teen to Google the employer and read basic information. When the interviewer asks if he or she has any questions, your child should ask a question about the company. It will show he or she has done research and is intelligent, mature and dedicated to becoming employed!
5. Practice basic interview questions. Your teenager can look up common questions online, write down their answers and practice saying them aloud, or with you.

Employers are not looking for someone with all the right answers, or who already knows everything about the job. They want to hire someone they can teach. Your child should feel comfortable applying to entry-level positions even if they have little experience. Just help your teen market themselves as eager to learn, willing to try hard, and pleasant to spend time with.