Your First Twenty Interviews: Build New Gettin’ Hired Skills

Think of a job interview as a first date with someone you think you might like… but you’re not all the way sure.

It is an opportunity for the hiring manager to get to know you, sure… but is also a chance for you to get to know them! It’s a chance to visit a workplace, to learn more about an interesting job, and to meet new people. While finding work is important, and you need to learn how to leave a good impression, it is also important to be true to yourself, to not take getting a particular job too seriously.

Every interview is practice for the next one. Take it seriously (but not so seriously you give yourself a stress headache, need to breathe into a paper bag, or make yourself nauseous).

Please remember: it’s just a job interview. You’re going to go on a lot of these. Stop stressing.

What to expect

Job interviews can last about an hour, depending on the job level. Most interviewers try to help applicants relax and feel comfortable. The potential employer will ask questions to get to know the applicant better and to see whether the applicant’s talents would be a suitable match for the job available. The potential employer has a job position to fill and wants to hire someone capable of doing the job or learning it quickly. The interviewer also wants to know whether the applicant will fit in with the restaurant or foodservice team and the organization as a whole.

In addition to a notepad and pen, remember to bring the following to the interview:

• Resume and, if applicable, portfolio
• Names, addresses, and phone numbers of three people as references (personal and professional}
• Birth certificate or valid passport, driver’s license or state-issued ID, or green card or proof of ability to work in the United States

An applicant who is unsure about what work documents to bring should call the interviewer. A potential employer will be impressed by an applicant’s preparedness and attention to detail. Remember, many employers have reservations about hiring teenage applicants. To set yourself apart, practice these interview tips:

Be Ready

• Research the company before the interview. Applicants should know the company size and reputation, its key products and services, and names of its competitors. This information con be found online, through local chambers of commerce and business associations, and on the company’s website.
• Know where you are going! Arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled interview. Punctuality is important to potential employers.

Dress right

• Make a great first impression by having good hygiene and a clean, neat appearance. Your appearance should be either professional or business casual (no torn jeans, tshirts, sneakers, jewelry, perfume/cologne, or hair styles which may be considered inappropriate in the workplace).

Show your people skills!

• Be courteous and respectful to receptionists, secretaries, or assistants who first greet you. Use good posture, smile, and look them in the eye. Chances are the interviewer will ask them for their first impression of you.
• Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake and smile. Make note of his or her name and use it during the interview.
• Turn off your cell phone and resist the temptation to look at it.
• Be eager and enthusiastic.

Practice for the interview

• Know your strengths before the interview and be prepared to list them.
• Be ready to explain why you are interested in the job.
• Ask questions about the job.

Be gracious

• Follow up the interview with a thank-you note/card.

The elevator speech

Practicing interviewing skills with a friend is a good way to prepare for the real interview. A friend, family member, or teacher can play the role of the employer and ask sample interview questions. Give each question serious thought and come up with an answer that is honest and complete. Practicing before an interview will help you to answer questions quickly and accurately during the actual interview. 

However, it is not the random individual questions that come up during the interview conversation that are most important. The SINGLE most important thing you must be able to do is offer a short, 2-3 minute explanation of why they should give you the job. This is called “the elevator speech” because 2-3 minutes is just long enough to make your case if you are ever stuck in an elevator with someone who has the power to give you an opportunity.

The first question many interviewers ask is, “Why don’t you tell me a little about yourself?” This is an ice-breaker question and is an opportunity for you to talk about your accomplishments, experiences, and qualifications as they relate to the job you are applying for. Practice a three-minute statement that showcases what makes you qualified, capable, and an outstanding job candidate.

Other things that may come up during the interview

Other questions/issues interviewers may focus on include salary history and requirements, what motivates an applicant to do a good job, and whether the applicant has ever been fired from a job. For questions regarding salary on previous jobs, tell the truth. If the interviewer asks what salary you are looking for in this job, be diplomatic and say that you have no set figure in mind, or ask the interviewer what salary is usually offered to someone with similar qualifications.

If you have ever been fired from a job, do not panic. A possible reply goes something like this, “While I usually can work with everyone, this particular boss and I just weren’t a good match, in spite of my efforts to work out the problems.” Applicants should always remain positive about the reasons they are no longer with an employer. Avoid talking negatively about previous managers and coworkers.

The interviewer is not allowed to ask about your race, national origin, gender, religion, marital status, age, physical or mental disabilities, or sexual preference. Asking these questions is illegal and discriminatory.

Your turn to ask questions

Before ending the interview, the potential employer will ask whether you have any questions. This is your chance to make sure the job is the right fit for you and to show your confidence. Here are some questions applicants might consider asking the interviewer:

• Is this a new position or would I be replacing someone?
• Was the person who previously had this job promoted? (This is very important for a full-time job. The object is to discover whether the company is promoting employees or whether there is a high rate of employees leaving the company because they are unhappy.)
• Could you please describe a typical workday for me?
• If you hired me, when would you expect me to start working?
• How long would it take for me to be trained for the job?
• When do you plan on filling the position? If the interviewer says a decision will be made within one or two weeks, ask whether you may call to inquire about the decision.

Avoid asking questions about salary, vacation, bonuses, or holidays. Salary is a sensitive issue. Wait for the interviewer to bring up the subject. Ask the interviewer what the standard salary is for someone with similar qualifications. It is a good idea to have a general idea of the salary range for the job before going to the interview. Find this information at a school or community library. Although you should not begin the discussion, you should still leave the interview knowing the overall salary range.

When the interview is ended, smile, shake the person’s hand, and thank the interviewer for taking the time to explain the job. If you want the job, this is the time to say so. For example, ”This would be a great opportunity for me – I hope you give my qualifications serious consideration. I know I’d work well with your team.” 

Even if you know you do not want the job, it is important to observe business courtesy.

Follow up after the interview

Before leaving, gather contact information from the interviewer (ask for a business card), and follow up on the interview shortly after. A simple thank-you can make an applicant stand out from the crowd of job seekers. In today’s business world an email arrives much faster, but handwritten notes are acceptable as well. It is a good idea to write the thank-you as soon as possible after departing the interview. This proves to the employer that the applicant really wants the job.

The note should be short, confirm a desire for the job, reinforce your qualifications, give a time for follow-up with a phone call, and include an offer to meet with the potential employer again to answer any additional questions. Ending the note with a sentence that encourages the potential employer to call is a good marketing idea. Most people read the beginning few sentences and the last sentence before reading the body of any message.

The follow-up phone call should be on the day promised. There are certain elements of the followup phone call that show you are a professional and sometimes, by interacting well and communicating clearly, you will swing a recruiters opinion of you from a “maybe” to a “heck yeah, we need to hire this person!”

Format for a follow-up phone call

Remind the person who you are.	“Good afternoon, Ms. Brown. This is Rose Hernandez. How are you today?”
State the reason for your call — what position you applied for.	“Ms. Brown, I’m calling to follow up on our meeting last Thursday regarding the part-time server position. It sounded like the ideal job for me.”
Find out if the potential employer made a decision.	“I was wondering if you had made a decision yet.”
If you got the job, write down the answers to the following questions:	“When would you like me to start working, and what time should I be there?””What should I bring with me?””Where should I go on my first day?””Whom should I see?””I just need to coordinate my bus schedule; do you know how many hours I’ll be working on my first day?””What is the dress code?”
If the employer has not made a decision, do not panic.	“I understand. Could you please tell me whether you’re still considering me for the position?”
If you are a candidate:	“Are there any questions I can answer that will show you I’m really the server you’re looking for?”
If there are no questions:	“Thanks again, Ms. Brown. I hope you’ll call me if you do have any questions, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.”
If you did not get the job:	“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Thank you for taking the time to explain the position to me. I hope you’ll think of me if you have other openings.

What to do if you aren’t hired

If you did not get the job, you can ask the person for constructive feedback on interviewing skills, or ask the interviewer what you experience or training you need to become a better candidate. Sometimes interviewers can refer you to other jobs that would be more suitable for your abilities. Do not be afraid to ask! Every interview is an opportunity to sharpen communication skills and meet restaurant and foodservice professionals. What’s more, it shows YOU your strengths and weaknesses and gives YOU the chance to do better next time.

Interview skills summarized: Step-by-step