First job interview for DD

[3catsandcounting]

My DD(16) has a job interview this week for weekend/holiday job. She's at 6th form and is keen to earn a bit of money (yay!)
Trouble is, she's pretty quiet and lacks confidence and I worry that she won't come across very well in an interview situation. I really think, apart from earning her own money, that this opportunity will build her confidence and maturity. The job involves waiting on/serving. Any advice/tips from you lovely lot would be appreciated.

Make sure she wears something smart and comfortable so that she looks the part and that will help her feel comfortable. Be smiley, polite, be herself, anticipate and practice answers to common questions. Think about situations that might arise in the job and how she would handle them e.g. difficult customer, delays from the kitchen etc.

My DD was in a similar situation. I took her out for coffee with some of my (younger) friends and they did a mock interview with her. Quite lighthearted but she was able to (1) meet new people and (2) practice her technique, both scenarios were out of her comfort zone, but it was in a relaxed environment iyswim. I think it helped her get in the interview zone, she got the job so some of it must have soaked in!

Whatever you do, don't turn up at the interview with her, and if you're dropping her off, stay out of sight!

But you asked for tips for her not for you

You sound skeptical as to whether she'll get it and you think she needs to build confidence. So I would talk to her about what she wants to get out of the interview, apart from the job. Is it her first interview, sounds like it probably is? So talk to her about thinking about how she presents herself, about pretending to be confident even if she doesn't feel it, about general interview technique etc etc- but talk about it as though this is a practice rather than the real thing. That way, she will hopefully feel a bit more confident and less pressured, and if she doesn't get it, then she won't be as disappointed and her confidence won't be so shaken. So her task for this interview is not to necessarily get the job, but to learn as much as she can about what interviews are like, and get some good practice in ready for the next one.

Thanks clobbered; she's so capable but finds it hard to verbalise what she's thinking. She's quite immature for her age (in the nicest possible way!!) It's so hard to find jobs for this age where we are.

Bear and Giraffes - some great ideas from both of you - thanks

My dad used to interview people, the thing about clothes being comfortable is important, fidgeting is apparently very off putting! He also said research the company, which may sound odd for waiting on, but she could know opening hours, what the menu is etc.

Seem interested as well was an important one apparently!

When I was going to interviews I used to plan for the difficult questions- like what is your greatest strength/weakness

Can help to have a loose idea of the answer to that in your head

This place is part of a small holiday village (gym/swim/restaurant/cafe etc) and we've used the facilities since she was tiny so at least she's familiar with the environment.
I have a friend who's just opened a shop (so can't afford to employ anyone yet). I may ask him to mock-interview her later today - great advice everyone, thank you so much.

My DD us a similar age, and has worked at a local pub/ restaurant for the last year. I would imagine they would want your DD to do a couple of trial shifts, and my advice for this would be : turn up on time/ be clean and smart, with hair tied back. Work hard, and try to work efficiently (one of the gripes from the manager where DD works is slow washing up and staff not turning up for their shift!)

My DD has benefitted hugely from her job- she's more confident and loves earning her own money

Make sure she knows she needs to maintain eye contact, sit up straight etc. Speak slowly and clearly. Write a list of possible interview questions, such as 'tell us about yourself' 'What is you greatest strength/ weakness?'etc etc Prepare,but don't learn answers parrot fashion. She wants to come across as natural, sincere and friendly. Try and smile as much as possible. Good luck! Nerve racking for you both!

Make sure she does her homework. Knows all about the company, what they do, their facilities. They might ask her about experience which can throw a youngster if they haven't had a job but she can use school or other activities to demonstrate things.
DS2 (16) recently landed a job at a country house / park. They asked him if he'd ever handled money, cleaned up spillages, helped a member of the public etc He managed to use his 1 week work experience in Year 10 to answer all of those.

I'd suggest the following...

smart, comfortable clothes

good handshake, eye contact and remember to smile

take copies of references if she has them available

prep a couple of questions to ask them; shows she's thought about the role and the company

Think about experiences / hobbies / examples from her life that have given her skills around these types of situations..

mental arithmetic / money handling if she will be working without a fancy till

listening skills for dealing with customers with strong accents / English as a second language / disabilities

customer service - dealing with difficult customers; staying polite / keeping temper when you feet are killing you, you're got four tables waiting for service and the customer you've just served tells you their toasted teacake isn't quite toasted to their specifications.

importance of punctuality

team work

Generally, help her keep in mind a number of things she's done in life and the different skills they've given her; a handful of good general examples can probably be 'spun' in the interview to answer most questions!

Good luck to her!

Well.... She had the interview yesterday; (a friend of mine had put her name forward as she works there too) so it turns out there's no specific post, but they are interviewing for the holiday season and have put her name on file. (Never bloody simple!!!) However, it seems she took the advice of all you lovely posters and went in feeling positive and confident. She quite enjoyed the experience and said although she felt a little nervous, it didn't stop her fully answering the questions and even asked a few of her own - so for that I'm so pleased for her - thanks everyone!!

Excellent, sounds like it was a really positive experience, and even if nothing comes of it this time, she's been through the process once and it won't be nearly as scary next time :)