In this article, we will share top interview tips for high school students to help you land your dream job.
Are you in high school and preparing for an interview? Don’t have any experience with interviews and are not aware of “How to start?” Then this article if for you.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
- Top Interview Tips for High School Students
Top Interview Tips for High School Students
Here are the top interview tips for any high school student to ace your interview.
Research about the Company and the Job Description
The very first thing that we will discuss is the Importance of researching. Before appearing in any interview, you should research the company you have applied for. You have to be aware of the Company’s goals, mission, and competition. You should have the answer to why you want to join that particular company.
Additionally, knowing the job description in advance can help you decide whether it aligns with your goals or not. Reading the job description will help you understand the responsibilities and the skill-set, the interviewer is looking for.
Moreover, Researching the company and Job role will help you tailor your answers, and past experiences, and decide how to portray your skills.
Alter your Resume
The next very important tip is Changing your resume. As a result, this will help you to stand out and catch the interviewer’s attention. The major concern is that candidates share the same resume for every job, they apply for. But it is not the right way indeed.
Always make sure that you alter your resume according to the Job role and what an interviewer is looking for in a candidate. Specifically, In your Resume, you should draw attention to the skills, extracurricular activities, and experience that are most relevant to the job role you are applying for. This will help them to decide why should they select you to interview.
In a recent article, We also talked about how to make a resume for your first job.
Practice Common Questions
Practicing common questions is the next step of interview preparation for high school students. After knowing about the job description and company, you will get an idea about the technical and soft skills they are looking for.
Therefore, practicing and framing your answers to common questions asked in any interview related to your job role is very important. This will surely help you to improve your responses, and reduce anxiety which makes you perform better during the interview.
I am listing a few important and most asked interview questions and commons Do’s and Don’t while answering them.
Tell me about yourself
Do: Tell them about your professional background, skill set, achievements, and extracurriculars that are relevant to the job. Keep it clear, about 60 seconds is good enough.
Don’t: Your family names and what they do are not required to be told unless specifically asked.
Example: Hi, my name is George, and I am currently pursuing (Course) at (University name). I have a great interest in coding and social work. For instance, I have three years experience of being a member of the Rotaract club, where I learned how to work in a team. (This shows that you are a team player)
Additionally, I recently completed a project about (Topic of the project). In my free time, I enjoy reading which has taught me to concentrate. I am enthusiastic to learn new skills and excited about future opportunities that will help me grow personally and professionally.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Do: Always be relevant, relate it to real examples, and explain how your strengths align well.
Don’t: Highlighting your strengths is important, but don’t act like you are perfect at everything.
Strength Example: One of my biggest strengths is that I am a team player. I have been a part of Rotaract for the last three years in different positions. Therefore, I know efficiently how to work in a team.
Weakness Example: Sometimes, I find it difficult to say no to people which overburdens my work. But, now I am learning to prioritize myself.
Why do you want to work with us?
Do: Research the company, job role, and your goals and explain how you are the best match.
Don’t: Never answer I need money. I don’t know about your company yet, but I am looking for a job.
Example: According to my research, my goals and skills match exactly with your company’s mission and vision. Additionally, the Company’s reputation is a factor.
Why should we hire you?
Do: Showcase your skills, professional background, achievements, and your actions that bring changes.
Don’t: Never ignore the job description and be overconfident.
Example: I genuinely feel that my skill set and experience align well with your requirements, making me a good fit for this position.
Tell me about the situation you faced a challenge and how you overcame that.
Do: Choose an example to answer that resonates well. Explain your learnings, growth, and impact.
Don’t: Avoid blaming others and discussing unimportant issues.
Example: In my final exams, I was assigned multiple assignments on short notice. I had very limited time to complete them as my exams were about to start. I make a schedule prioritizing important tasks. By following my schedule and minimizing distractions, I was able to complete everything on time. Moreover, This has taught me the importance of time management.
Never say a No
When you are done answering to the interviewer. Now, it’s your time to question. In the end, the interviewer will ask you, “Do you have any questions?” so, you should never say no.
This is important for you to know that you should always ask questions. I am giving you some examples of questions that you can ask an interviewer.
- Would you please describe how is the Company culture?
- What type of projects I can expect in the beginning?
- What are the company’s goals for the coming years?
- Would you please tell me about the team I would be working with?
- What are the main responsibilities of someone in this role?
Decide what to wear
You surely have heard the phrase, ” First Impression is the Last Impression”. Therefore, Determining what to wear for an interview is important, even if the interview is virtual mode. Your attire boosts your confidence and shows your professionalism which is very important for any Company.
For Instance, when you go out for a holiday, birthday, or someone’s wedding. You start making your mood boards about the dress, jewelry, footwear, and even hairstyles that too one or two months before the event. Similarly, Interviews are the big events that can completely change your life for the good. Therefore, Always decide what to wear in advance. to your comfort.
For example, you can research the company culture and check if their employees dress up in business or casual attire. Make sure you are well groomed. Additionally, Always wear something clean, minimal, wrinkled-free, and very comfortable.
Be on time
The next important tip on our list is knowing the importance of timing. You should always decide how will you reach your interview place. Reaching 15 to 20 minutes before your scheduled time at the destination will work well for you.
It shows your discipline, professionalism, and seriousness about the job. It will help you re-organize your thoughts, calm your nervousness, and be mentally ready for the interview.
Be Confident and honest
Your next important Interview tip is always to be confident and believe in yourself. You should always know your worth. If you are maintaining a good body language, you will thoughtlessly become confident.
The interviewer is the experienced one, they know how to do their job. So, being honest in your interview is important. If you are not transparent about your skills and experiences, you might lose the chance to land your dream job.
Honest and clear conversation gives a good understanding for them to decide if you are a good fit or not. Additionally, I am making a list for you that will be helpful for you to maintain good body language.
How to maintain a good body language?
- Maintain eye contact with the person. If you are being interviewed by more than one person at a time, then keep shifting your eye contact for three or four seconds.
- Use Hand gestures and facial expressions.
- Sit straight and avoid slouching
- Use nodding to show that you are involved and listening.
- Avoid touching your face, shaking your legs, and tapping your fingers.
- Maintain a tone of voice from start to end.
- Lastly, Don’t forget to smile.
Know your strengths and weakness
Being aware of your strengths and weaknesses is as important as knowing about the Job role. You should not think twice to answer when asked about your strengths and weaknesses. But, you should answer them fluently and confidently.
Using STAR Method you can easily analyze your strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, In the STAR method, S stands for Situation, T stands for Task, A stands for action and R stands for Results. You can always use this structure to form an appropriate answer.
For Example, Situation: In my role as Community service director, I faced a sudden drop in project participation of team members just before a major project launch.
Task: I needed to make sure that everyone stayed motivated and participated.
Action: I quickly called the meeting and discussed their issues resulting in their low participation. I encouraged them to keep their morale high.
Result: Consequently, The project was completed successfully, and received really good participation and positive feedback from everyone. We all together were able to meet our objectives efficiently.
Send Thank you Message
Lastly, After you are done with the interview, You can send a thank-you message to the interviewer. It shows your professionalism, appreciation, and your interest in the job.
Example of a Thankyou message
Dear (Interviewer Name if known),
Thank you for taking the time to interview me for the (Job Role) in your (Company name) today. It was a pleasure to learn from you. I am looking forward to your response. Please let me know if there is anything else I need to provide.
With Regards,
(Your Name)
Final Verdict on Interview Tips for High School Students
In conclusion, Preparing for interviews can be a difficult task for high school students, but the right approach and preparation can help you land your dream job. By researching about the company, and job role, phrasing answers in advance, knowing your capabilities, and being confident can make a positive impact on the interviewers.
Now, I hope after knowing about these top Interview tips for high school students, you are all ready to roll onto the next level. I wish you the best for your Interview.
