Job Interview

[XxXMetalheadXxX]

I have my first real job interview on Thursday.
I currently have no work experience and it is a retail job.
Is there any advice you can give me? I'm a bit nervous.

[Wayward Vagabond]

firm handshake and sell yourself like as if you were a prostitute working the streets

[DragonIIDX]

Like Wayward Vagabond said, give a firm handshake, and it's ok to exaggerate your skills just a little bit. Since it's at a retail store, you should say you're really good with people, have good people skills etc. Also try to act confident. I know it might sound hard, but they like confidence.

[XxXMetalheadXxX]

Thanks for the replies back and I'll do just that and work on it in my head a little bit. Thanks again.

[m0de]

dont be nervous. go in thinking the worst that could happen, is that they say no/you dont get a call back. with that said, just do your best to answer any questions, and be confident. good luck!

[Xiz]

The thing is, they want you. Play it cool. Breathe. Chill. Smile. Simple as that

[DotKritic]

Relax. Add on that you're great with talking to people. Even to complete strangers. It'll show that you're not afraid to start a conversation with customers.

PS. I've been in retail for 4 1/2 years. Don't expect it to be all fun and games. Hell of a lot of hard work, but it pays off with your paycheck.

PSS. WOOO!!!!!!! PAYDAY THIS FRIDAY!!!!!

[rsr2]

^^ This.
Both of my supervisors during my interview got off topic quite a bit then they asked "Are you okay with talking to strangers.... Well we can say easily yes to that one." That got me the job. (I work at a Casino.)

[DarknessXoXLight]

run far far away because retail is shit.

jk i know you need the job but seriously.

[Xiz]

Make sure also to look them directly in the eyes. Eye contact is quite important, instead of consistently looking off to the side. Before speaking, make sure to somewhat prepare your sentences in your head before you say them so you don't sound like you are rambling, and be sure not to rush your sentences. Take it easy, and slow down. Also if there are questions such as "what is an example of leadership that you have done over the past few years" or something like that, be sure to turn your head 180 degrees and shout "the demon lord has awoken" while arching your back to the point of where it breaks. After 3-4 of your ribs snap, begin to spout blood from your eyes and nose and scream nonstop while the pitch in your voice increases. Or if a question such as "what can you bring to this company", answer with a few examples of how you are a great leader, a great listener and a hard worker and perhaps give examples of projects or tasks that you have accomplished. Be sure to also smile, and have a good time while also showing seriousness and passion for the work you are applying for.

Hope that helps!

[Arntonach]

Know how to answer their questions, including questions you don't have to answer. Look decent, but go in tie-and-suit since it's just retail and not an office job, this means long sleeves if you got tattoos on your arms and no piercings. Know that the interview starts as soon as you get on the property, so be on your best behavior; that means no spitting, emptying out cups in the parking lot and being disrespectful to anyone on the premise. And for the love of god show up 15 minutes early than when they say the interview starts and for the job in general.

The handshake thing isn't a joke either, it can cost you the interview if you decide to flub it up. So if you're being interviewed by a woman, shank her hand normally, not the weird "take her hand like you're going to kiss it" shtick.

[DotKritic]

Originally Posted by DarknessXoXLight

run far far away because retail is shit.

jk i know you need the job but seriously.

This. But give the job six months to a year before making a change. Future employers like to see that you stayed with another company long term. I stayed with my first retail job for 4 years (2007-2011) and my past jobs (2 of them; 1 was retail) liked that I stayed long term.

[DragonIIDX]

Originally Posted by Arntonach

And for the love of god show up 15 minutes early than when they say the interview starts and for the job in general.

Yes. This is very important too. Otherwise they would think you would arrive late at work too. First impressions are everything.

[DotKritic]

And don't walk out if they're late for the interview. You're there for the job. Show it. Even if they're 10-15-20 minutes late.

[XxXMetalheadXxX]

Originally Posted by Xiz

and shout "the demon lord has awoken"

Hope that helps!

CEO occupation, here I come!

EDIT: Thanks everyone for all the things you've been telling me. I appreciate it.

[Frank Munoz]

It depends on who is interviewing you.
Some hire you on the fxcking spot for some reason
and others will reject you for simply tapping your fingers a few times.

Everyone here has already posted important parts to an interview though~
(especially the hand shake)

although my last interviewer gave a wimpy ass shake and boy was I offended.

[gold stinger]

I'm working retail at Shoppers Drug Mart and some other good things to have to help your chances (if you're applying for a merchandising, supervisor, or fast food position) is to have a healthy diet and work out on a constant basis. Most retail jobs will require you to either haul boxes of products from the back room or unpack boxes from the back room for use and some of these boxes can weigh as much as 80lbs.

[RNGRX]

I suggest always be prepared, do your research about the company and have a few good questions for the hiring manager interviewing you. Get to know the hiring manager if you can, utilize a website called "LinkedIn" and try to look up the hiring manager's profile, see if he has any interests, these can be later used to build rapport.

Seriously, it sounds weird or stalkerish, but trust me, do some research, find out he really loves the Red Sox or fishing or nascar through his facebook or linkedin and maybe you can make a friendly/ off the cuff comment about how you two relate in some way, it is what will set you above others.

What is important to you in your next job? seriously? What do you want to know/ need to know about the company? Ask these questions.

Always establish benefit. How will hiring YOU benefit my company? How will you mesh with my current employees?

Will you stay with us long term? (or till the end of contract?)

Will you make the company money?

These things is what the employer is thinking.

Very basic : Can he/she get along with my current work force?

Will he/she last long term (is the position challenging enough/ a good enough match to keep them interested)

CAN this person actually DO this job?

ALways remember that, all of the stupid questions, forums, psyche type questions are really trying to answer those three basic things.

Do not be afraid to say "I don't know", " I am not sure", "At the moment I am drawing a blank, could you repeat the question?"
Saying the wrong answer or just blurting out anything because you don't know the answer will be bad. Don't answer the question if you will just ramble for 5 minutes and not answer the question anyway. You are not going to fool anybody aside from yourself by doing this.

"I am not sure sir, I would be happy to learn" or if you simply don't fully understand the question... " Can you please repeat the question?"

No hiring manager is going to knock you for asking to repeat or saying you don't know, it takes courage to admit you don't have an answer, unless it is for every question.... then you are in trouble...

Posture and eye contact, very important.

If it is a phone interview, walk. Stand up and walk around, we all think more clearly if we are on our feet. Take deep pauses before you answer, reduce the use of "like" or "uhmmm" or "uhhh" Basicly try and sound professional and calm.

***DO NOT RAMBLE. PLEASE BE SPECIFIC AND TO THE POINT!.

If I ask you a question with a specific answer, don't tell me a 20 minute story that rambles off topic, please research basic interview questions and have some pocket answers, clear and to the point, No stories unless I ask for one!!!!!!!!!***

If you are in person, always make eye contact and have good posture, don't slouch or look tired.

Google the company, learn their motto or message, get to know what they do and come up with some good questions
"I was on your website researching your company and I found _______ interesting, can you tell me ______?"

These questions an employer or hiring manager will LOVE! And you will get HUGE bonus points.

[G.S.M]

the way to do it is just carry 5 ton logs on your shoulders and be like yo if i can do that i can do this shit job

Just be a man/woman and don't act dumb. Talk straight and to the point.

be a manwoman

[UserNameGoesHere]

Don't do this.