Interview Tips for Your First Job

Interview Tips for Your First JobInterview Tips for Your First JobAre you a teen who just started yourfirst job search? If youre about to go a job einstellungsgesprch for the first time, you may be feeling a bit nervous. Dont let the stress get to you. Remember, your interviewer is likely accustomed to interviewing first-time job seekers. Plus, everyone has a first interview in their work history. With your first interview under your belt, it will get much easier. The key to having a successful interview- whether its your first or your fiftieth- is to prepare ahead of time, dress appropriately, and try to stay calm. Practicing answering interview questions beforehand is also hugely helpful. Here are tips to help make that first interview a success. Before Your First Job Interview Research the company.Take some time toresearch the company,so you are familiar with how they operate. There is a lot of company information available online. You might be asked what you know about the or ganization, so check out the About Us and Careers section of the company website if youre interviewing with a large employer. For smaller employers, review their website to get an idea of what the company is about. Also, check social media pages to ascertain the companys current focus. Learn about the job.Find out as much as you can about the position youre applying for, then ask yourself, Why am I the best person for this role? Do you know someone who works at the company? Ask them about the job, theinterview process, and the company. The more you know about the job, the easier it will be to answer questions about why youd be a good fit for it. Practice interviewing.Review typical teeninterview questions and answers, then ask a family member or friend to ask you some questions so you can practice your answers. You may also want to review the ten most common interview questions. behauptung tips will help youpractice interviewing, so youll be more comfortable with the process. Dress appropriately.Choose simple and appropriate attire for the position you are interviewing for. If youre not sure what to wear, ask an adult family member, teacher, or guidance counselor. Take a look atwhat you shouldnt wearto a first job interview, as well. The grandma rule is always a good one to go by. If your grandma would approve of the outfit, you have made the right choice. Write a resume.A resume will make a good impression on the interviewer. You dont need formal work experience to write a resume. You can include informal experience, volunteering, academic achievements, and your participation in sports or clubs. Bring a copy of your resume, if you have one, to the interview, as well as a pen and paper so you can take notes. Hereshow towrite your first resume. Get directions and a ride.If you need a ride to the interview, line it up ahead of time. Make sure you know where you are going for the interview so that you do not get lost and are either on time or- even better- a few minutes early. During Your First Job Interview If youre under 18 and your state requires teens to haveworking papers, bring behauptung with you.Try to stay cool and collected. Staying as calm as possiblewill help you focus on the interviewer.If you feel flustered, pause and take a few deep breaths to gather your thoughts.Be confident in your skills and abilities when you are talking to the interviewer. Remember this is a first job and you arent expected to have a lot of experience.Try to incorporate what you know about the company into the discussion. Be honest. If you have sports or other activities that might conflict with your work schedule, tell the interviewer.Be flexible. You may have some leeway in setting a work schedule, but the more flexibility you have, the more likely it is that youll be hired.Make eye contact and avoid distractions.Listen and take notes. Have aquestionready to ask at the end of the interview.At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer for tak ing the time to interview you. After Your First Job Interview Send athank you noteimmediately after the interview to each person that interviewed you to remind them about how interested you are in the position. Key Takeaways for a Successful First Job Interview PREPARE IN ADVANCEThat means practicing how youll answer common interview questions, and spending some time learning about the company and role.DONT LET NERVES TAKE OVERIts OK to feel a bit nervous before an interview. Just dont let those feelings get in the way of your listening to the interviewers questions, and responding to the best of your ability.THANK THE INTERVIEWERYoull want to verbally thank the interviewer at the end of the conversation, and also follow up with a written thank you note afterward.

Things to Consider Before Pursuing a Double Major

Things to Consider Before Pursuing a Double MajorThings to Consider Before Pursuing a Double MajorA ersatzdarsteller major is exactly what it sounds like two college majors completed in tandem. Typically, when a student pursues a double major they are responsible for completing more classes. If it requires more work, why would a student want to double major? Students may double major because theyre very passionate about two fields of study, and since they want to do both theyre willing to take on the extra workload. Some might have preferred not to double major, but the absence of a minor degree in the desired field forces the issue. Considerations for Deciding to Pursue a Double Major When making the decision to double major, there are three major points to consider. The first is that depending on the university and the department, each major requires a minimum number of credits to complete the degree. For example, if the university requires 120 credits to graduate with a specif ic college degree, you may need to discover if there is a credit cap for your double major program. Many universities can help with your core credit requirements so that you can successfully complete both majors. A second consideration is the amount of time it might take to graduate. While it is possible to graduate with a double major in just four years, it takes considerable planning and a certain amount of good fortune to schedule the necessary classes. Parents and students should prepare themselves for the likelihood that completing a double major will require the common five-year plan. Lastly, students who devote their credits toward two majors, while fulfilling general education requirements as well, may experience tighter schedules than most of their peers. Because students who double major are less likely to spend as much time exploring extra-curricular campus activities, there is less opportunity for exploring other fields or dabbling in hobbies and interests. For many stud ents, the passion of their double major outweighsthe loss of free time. Some students might be disappointed in the lack of free time for extracurriculars, making it a factor worth consideration.

How to Explain and Make the Most of an Employment Gap

How to Explain and Make the Most of an Employment Gap How to Explain - and Make the Most of - an Employment Gap Career-orientated people dont make a habit of missing work, but sometimes thingsbeyond ur control canpull us out of the workforce.Anyone can face an employment gap, but women are especially prone to them, which can exacerbate the wage gap, contribute to low numbers of women in the C-suite, and leave younger women without female mentors and advisors in the workforce. Part of the reason for this is biological. We have the babies, after all, so it is normal for us to take extended maternity leave or stay home with our children for several years. (That said, both paternity leave and stay-at-home dads are becoming more visible.) Whats more, according to the Family Caregiver Alliance, women may account for as much as 75 percent of all family caregivers.Having children, caring for an elderly or sick family member, and/or being laid off are all legitimate reasons to have an employment gap on your resume. In general, employers understand these absences are circumstantial and dont reflect poorly on your work ethic or professionalism. However, it isstill important that you explain the gap to future employers, framing it as positively as possible.For example, when I introduce a job candidate with a resume gap, Im sure to highlight any work the candidatedid during their absence that could be relevant to the new role.That work could take the fasson ofserving as a consultant to their previous company, doing volunteer work, or taking classes. If you werent able to do any of those things during your employment gap, just be honest and positive about what you were doing. For exampleMy dad became ill and needed my help, so I took a leave of absence to care for him. Things are great now, though, and Im eager to jump right in and focus on my career again. Im ready to put all of my energy into my job to make a real difference.Make the Most of Your Time OffIf you are facing any time off in the future - whether as the result of a layoff or by design - there are things you can do during yourgap time to keep your attitude strong and make your eventual reentry into the workforce smoother1. Stay Engaged in Your IndustryWhen possible, do paid or pro bono work related to your field, stay in touch with your professional network, and keep abreast of whats happening in your industry. These actions will not only ease your return into the workforce but also fuel your self-esteem. Feeling out of the loop can lead to a loss of confidence, but you can maintain your psychological and professional strengthby staying engaged with your field even while youre out of work.2. VolunteerWorking with philanthropic organizations looks great on your resume. mora importantly, it helps others, and it can be tremendously gratifying.3. Maintaina Consistent RoutineThis is especially important if youve been laid off and are actively looking for a job. Get up early and preten d youre going to work, even if youre actually just going to a coffee shop to research and apply for jobs. Plan to meet two people in your field each week for coffee to network or build new relationships. Maintaining your career mindset is critical to making a smooth transition back into the workforce.4. Get Your Resume Into ShapeYou may not have needed it for a while, so take time now to update your resume, adding in any industry and volunteer activities youre engaged in currently. If youre actively looking for a job, then share your resume with your contacts. If not,your resume will at least be ready when you launch your search5. Research RecruitersAs you prepare to go back to work, identify a recruitment firm (or multiple firms) that might be able to help you find the right opportunity. Most recruiters are paid by the employer, not the candidate, so youcould have someone looking out for you at no charge. Finda recruiter who is responsive, engaged, and interested in supporting your career goals.- Dont let an employment gap on your resume hold you back from pursuing a new career opportunity. Just be honest about your situation and show potential employers how committed and enthusiastic you are about getting back to work. You will find the right fitAriel Schur, LCSW, is CEO and founder of ABS Staffing Solutions.