Here are some sample questions that you may be asked in the interview and some insight into what the recruiter is really looking for in the answers:

Q. Tell me a little about yourself?
A. The interviewer wants to learn more about skills, abilities and some of your interests. This response sets the tone for the rest of the interview and it is a good idea to make the answer as brief as possible.

Q. Tell me about a problem you had and how you solved it?
A. The interviewer wants to learn about how you handle problems or challenges. Make sure to give a specific example of a problem you actually have to solve.

Q. Why do you want this part time job?
A. The interviewer wants to hear why you applied for this position. Talk about skills not the employee discount. If you are a high school student, you can speak to the flexibility the job offers, the proximity of the job to home or school or that you are saving for something specific like a summer trip.

Q. How many hours can you work?
A. Share your availability weekly. If you are looking for a job in retail, do not forget Saturday and Sunday. These might be the days in which the employer is most interested.

Q. Tell me about your last job?
A. Share new skills you learned or things you might have accomplished. Do not speak badly about any prior employers and keep this part of the interview very positive and upbeat.

Q. What would teachers say about you?
A. This is a good chance to speak about your performance in some of your best classes. Try to speak about teachers who you know would be able to give you a good recommendation.

Q. Are you involved in extra curricular activities?
A. Speak about your after school activities, classes you take outside of school or any volunteer work or family obligations you might have such as babysitting.

Q. Why should we hire you?
A. Talk about your skills, behaviors and achievements and how they could benefit the company.

Interview preparation is key! Take the job description to the career counseling office at your school and ask if they can help you with a practice interview.

Check out the BullsEyeResumes High School Blog for the latest job interview preparation tips.

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Here are 10 job interview tips for teens.

1. Visit the career counseling office at your school for resume writing, sample interview questions and interview tips.

2. Visit the company website and learn more.

3. Practice answers to sample job interview questions.

4. Visit O*net Online. Use "Find Occupations" for detailed job descriptions.

5. Prepare job interview attire and avoid wardrobe malfunctions.

6. Arrive early for the job interview. Bring pen, paper and your resume.

7. Be polite with everyone you meet.

8. Speak clearly.

9. Prepare questions for the interviewer.

10. Have names and contact information for personal references to fill out a job application.

The two things that a high school student should always take to an interview are a your Positive Attitude & your Self Confidence!

Lacking of one or both of these traits will work against you as a candidate.

Aside from your positive attitude, you will want to bring:
-a notepad or notebook
-a pen that works
-a portfolio - Less than $20 at an office supply store
-Your list of references
-Resume on quality resume paper (Recommend Southworth from www.southworth.com)

TIP*
Keep an interview folder at home or in your car stocked with all these things so that they are readily available.

Check out the latest job search and career planning tips for teens and high school graduates at BullsEyeResumes High School Blog.

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The National Association of Colleges & Employers surveys employers annually to identify the skills they are looking for in teen workers.

1. Verbal/Written communication skills
2. Honesty / Integrity
3. Teamwork skills
4. Interpersonal skills
5. Strong work ethic
6. Motivation / Initiative
7. Flexibility / Adaptability
8. Analytical skills
9. Computer skills
10.Organizational skills

A teen or high school graduate is expected to demonstrate these skills on a resume and in the job interview.

Schedule about 90 minutes for a job interview.

When scheduling the interview, ask if you will need time to complete a job application. This could be a paper job application or an online job application. Both will take some extra time.

Arrive early and bring a copy of your high school resume and a list of personal references.

Yes - definitely.
Check out the BullsEyeResumes High School Blog for the latest job interview preparation tips.

Questions will show your interest in the job and that you did your research.

Make sure to think about and write your job interview questions ahead of time. Do not be afraid to open your notepad and read the questions.

Sample questions to ask in a job interview?

1. What non-routine tasks are involved with this job?

2. When will I start?

3. What do you like most about working here?

4. Who will be my supervisor?

5. How much training will I get?

6. How many people will I work with?

7. How may I contact you if I have more questions? Is there someone else I should speak with?

Most teens have a lot of energy and like to share their opinions. The job interview is not the time to be shy - Speak up!

Good point.

They may or may not already have your high school resume and a completed job application so why bother with the interview? The job interview is really to get to know you, beyond what is on paper.

They want to know you have the skills, attitude and work ethic to fit into the company culture.

During the job interview the interviewer will get to experience your communication skilss first hand. They will get a sense of your persona and be able to make a decision about how well you will perform on the job.

“Thank you” letters show thought and good business etiquette. It’s another chance to impress the job interviewer and say why you are good for the job.

The “thank you” letter is more personal than a high school resume or cover letter since you now know the interviewer. Comment on how you would enjoy working there.

Since only 15% of job interview candidates send “thank-you” letters, the interviewer will remember you.

You want to take every opportunity to thank the employer for doing the interview.

1. Send a thank you note either the same day or the next day after your job interview. Keep the note professional.

2. Send a thank you note to everyone on the interview panel if more than one person interviewed you.

3. It is perfectly ok to send a thank you note by email. Watch your punctuation and grammar.

4. Follow up with a phone call to find out how the decision making process is proceeding if you really want the job.

Here is a sample Thank-You note:

********************************
Dear Mr/Ms. Recruiter,

Thank you for interviewing me yesterday and telling me more about the company.

I liked the tour of the location.

If you need extra information as you consider my application, please call me at xxx xxxx or email me at name@email.com.

Sincerely,
Sign Your Name

Print Your Name here

70% of communication is really non verbal.

Your body language is an important part of the interview and can say a lot about you.

Here are some tips:

1. Maintain good eye contact with the interviewer during the interview.

2. Make sure to smile and be courteous with everyone you meet at the interview site.

3. Keep your energy level high and show your energy in the interview.

4. Avoid chewing gum.

5. Do not slouch in your chair. Sit up and be attentive.

6. Avoid crossing your arms, scratching or fidgeting in your seat during the interview.

Remember that you will get better with practice.

Read about interview follow-up at BullsEyeResumes High School Blog.

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Unexpected things can happen all the time. Here are some of the things that could go wrong with the job interview and some suggestions to handle them?

1. What if you arrive late or are funning late? Make sure you have all the contact information with you on your way to your job interview. Call ahead if you know you will be arriving late. Say what the specific problem is that you are having. If you are lost - say so and try to get help. I got lost on my way to a job interview one day in a new city. I went on to have a successful career with that organization.

2. What if you cannot answer a question?

Do not be afraid to ask for clarification. Immediately after the interview, if you remember, jot down the question with which you had difficulty. Be sure to bring this question up in your thank you letter and answer it at that time. Apologize for not answering fully during the job interview.

3. What if you forgot to ask for information to send a thank you note?

You can always get this information from a receptionist or administrative staff if you forget to ask for the information in the job interview.

4. What if you forgot the names of your references for the application?

Apologize for not having the information and request a time when you can return to the location with the completed application.

Everyone has bad days and makes mistakes. The key is that you have to remember to recover and be confident about what you want and the steps to take to get it.

If you are under 18, I think it is a good idea for an adult to go to the job interview with you.

They will not be allowed into the interview, you are on your own with that, but they can come into the building, meet the job interviewer and see where you will work.

When both of my teenagers looked for their first jobs, I went with them. In fact when my 15-year old daughter wanted to work, we went to a great healthy food store. We shopped there often. However, the day we went for the job interview, we discovered they had a fulfillment warehouse in the basement and that was where she would be.

Although a well reputed company, we both became very uncomfortable with the long dark aisles. The shelves were easily 8 feet tall which meant she might be on ladders to pull inventory. Additionally, there were a lot of adults working there and so, even though it met the standards set by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it did not meet mine.
The Hiring Manager saw my discomfort and was anxious to let me know it was a safe environment.

Think about bringing an adult with you, who can more objectively survey the work environment.

Check out the BullsEyeResumes High School Blog for the latest workplace tips.

No. Do NOT include references in your high school resume unless the application instructions say otherwise.

Some government agencies might specifically ask that references be included with your application.

*KEY TIP*
Ask people if they are willing to serve as a reference BEFORE you list their names.

Think about asking the following:
- Coaches
- Teachers from courses where you did well
- Advisors for groups to which you belong
- School career counseling office
- Past employers
- Supervisors at a volunteer site
- Religious leaders
- Family friends who are professionals
- Friends

Use caution when selecting friends. Make sure they will leave a good impression of you.

It is acceptable for a teen or high school graduate to have one good high school resume which presents a compelling summary of skills, abilities and achievements.

Use the same high school resume for part time job applications, college applications and to find volunteer positions.

Visit the career counseling office at your high school for tips on resume writing and cover letter writing.

A career counseling office is a great place to get started writing your first high school resume.

Learn more about high school career counseling offices at BullsEyeResumes-High School blog.

A resume is a 1-page document that teens and high school graduates can use to showcase skills, abilities and accomplishments.

A sample high school resume is a basic guideline to use.

Contact Us for a free critique of your high school resume when you have completed your first draft.

SAMPLE HIGH SCHOOL RESUME

First Name, Last Name
6 Elm Avenue, Stockler, CA 91733
Home: 111.111.1111 Cell: 766.444.4444
petals@winstop.com


OBJECTIVE
A part time position in a retail environment.

EDUCATION
National High School, Stockler, CA
Junior, Graduating in May 2008

EXPERIENCE

Sales Associate, Chuck's Sodas & Pizza
Summer 2006
• Maintained a clean and safe working environment.
• Provided customer service for walk-in customers.
• Operated computerized cash register and POS system.

Lawn Care
2002 - Present
• Provide lawn service including cutting, pruning and general clean up for 9 neighborhood homes bi-weekly

AWARDS & HONORS

• National Honor Society: Spring 2004, Fall 2005 and Fall 2006
• Academic Honor Roll: 2002 - 2006
• Perfect Attendance 2004 - 2005

VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY

• Big Kids Society – 10 hours weekly
• Library Reading Program – 2 hours monthly
• 5K Walk – October 2004, 2005, 2006

INTERESTS & ACTIVITIES

• Community Basketball League – League MVP
• Bass Guitar

COMPUTER SKILLS

• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and Internet Research

Teens and high school graduates may need a resume for any of the following:

- College applications
- Scholarship Applications
- Special Honors
- Grants
- Membership to clubs and organizations
- Internships
- Volunteer opportunities
- Full time or part time work
- Finding a better job
- Getting a promotion at your current job

One good high school resume will work for most of these situations with just slight tweaking, depending on the requirements.

Of course! Everyone can write a good resume.

There are several good samples available to help you get started. You can view some good high school resume samples at:

1.BullsEyeResumes High School Blog. Sign up to get the latest job search and career planning tips weekly.

2.Princeton University Career Center Resume Guide. Click "Job Search" tab. Follow the Freshman Resume sample to create your high school resume.

3. Adventures in Education has easy-to-follow high school resume.

Sample high school resumes give you ideas about layout, wording and format to use on your high school resume.

NOTE* Avoid software resume templates. Create your high school resume with word processor software like Microsoft Word.

Once you have a first high school resume draft, have the career counseling office proof read it for you.

REMEMBER!
Send completed high school resumes to BullsEyeResumes.com for FREE resume critiques!

You will receive feedback and comments, guaranteed to help you improve your high school resume.

Great question!

Everyone needs some help writing a great resume.

It is important to have help to doublecheck your work for spelling errors or other typos.

Teens have a lot of available help from school as well as from online resources like BullsEyeResumes.com. Your schools career counseling office should be your first stop.

A good high school resume will definitely get more positive responses, so if help is not available at your school, ask your parents or family and friends to help proof your high school resume.

Follow these steps for high school resume success:

1. Follow the layout of high school resume samples in these Resume FAQs.

2. Use high school resume samples from recommended websites.

3. Have the career counseling office proof read the resume.

4. Submit your high school resume for a critique from BullsEyeResumes.com.

Here are some tips to working with professional resume writers on your high school resume:

1. Get your parents involved when you seek help for resumes, especially if there are fees involved.
2. Search in your local area with phrases like "Chicago resume service", " Philadelphia resume service" or "Detroit resume service".

Local resume writers not only help with your high school resume, they are often aware of local jobs and internship opportunities.

2. Work with professional resume writers who have worked with high school students and can give advice on high school resumes. Many can help with personal statements for college applications also.

3. Use all the available resources in the career counseling office BEFORE you turn to a professional writer.

4. Look for affordability! BullseyeResumes.com is the only resume writing service that allows you to submit a bid for service. In other words, you and your parents decide what you can afford to pay for a writer to help with your resume. Planning ahead will help you save.

It is important to follow the instructions that the employer has laid out in the job posting. These instructions will usually inform job seekers about the application process the employer wants them to follow.

If you submitted an application at the job site or uploaded a high school resume to a job search website, you have to wait to be contacted.

Many job search sites will auto respond to acknowledge receipt of your high school resume and application. Some may publish a number for follow-up. Most will not.

If you submitted your high school resume at a career fair sponsored by the career counseling office, check with your counseling office first.

Contact Human Resources at the company to get a status of your application, being polite and professional at all times and avoid annoying the recruiter.

If you call, email or contact the employer once without a satisfactory response, continue your job search and explore other options.

Check out High School Interview FAQs for free interview preparation tips.

You can start by saying “I can do this”!

Since your high school resume captures your academic and extracurricular achievements, you must be involved in the process.

With a positive can-do attitude and some help, you can have a good high school resume.

Read through these FAQs to get ideas, find a layout you like and you can begin to craft your high school resume.

*KEY TIP*
Don't attempt to write the resume in ONE sitting. Commit to spending a couple of days, even weeks working on your high school resume.

Over the course of time you will develop a high school resume of which you can be proud.

Don’t forget to send your first draft to BullsEyeResumes.com for a FREE resume critique.

A cover letter is not always necessary. The typical rule of thumb is to send a cover letter, unless the job posting specifically says not to send one.

If a cover letter is required or you choose to send one, here are some tips for a good cover letter:

1. The cover letter should be addressed to a specific person, by name.
2. Get to the point quickly in your cover letter.
3. Use the company name somewhere in the cover letter.
4. Ask for the interview in the cover letter.
5. Refer to the specific position of interest.
6. Spell, punctuate and use paragraphs.
7. Use your own words.
8. Write what you can offer the reader, not what you want.
9. Describe skills related to the job.
10. Hand sign rather than type your signature.
11. If you are emailing your resume, use the body of the email to draft your cover letter there is no need to send a separate attachment.

Get the latest job search advice at the BullsEyeResumes High School Blog.

If you have a good high school resume, it will work for both.

However, the high school resume for college admissions could emphasize academic achievements and extra curricular activities.

Include:
-honors
-awards
-achievements from 9th -12th grade
-awards for essays
-science fairs

Outstanding elementary school achievements can be included also.

Yes.

Here is a sample cover letter you can use to accompany your high school resume.

*****************************************
Your Name
Your Present Address
City, State, Zip Code

Date

Hiring Persons Name
Title
Company
Street Address
City, State, Zip Code

Dear Ms. (hiring person's full name):

1st Paragraph
Tell why you are writing; name the position, or field, or general career area about which you are asking. Tell how you heard of the opening or organization. Refer the reader to the enclosed application form or résumé.

2nd Paragraph
Clearly illustrate what you have to offer and why the employer should be interested in you. Mention one or two of your qualifications you think would be of greatest interest to the organization and relate them to the employers needs. Tell why you are interested in the employer, location or type of work.

3rd Paragraph
Mention that you plan to take the initiative in making the next contact with the employer. eg "I will call you in one week to confirm the receipt of my résumé and to discuss the possibility of scheduling an interview."

Also express your gratitude for their time in this paragraph.

Sincerely,

(Your Handwritten Signature)

Type Your Name

There are tons of free and inexpensive resources offering help with a high school resume.

Begin with the career counseling office at your school.

Read the BullsEyeResumes High School Blog and Career Articles for more resume writing tips.

Once you begin, you will find it is easy to write your first high school resume, if you keep in mind the 5 key areas to be included.

1. NAME and CONTACT - Make sure this is current and correct.

2. OBJECTIVE - What is the purpose of the resume? A sample objective for a high school resume could be - "Seeking a summer internship position in retail".

3. EDUCATION and SPECIAL TRAINING - List the most recent or highest achievements and work backwards in time for a chronological resume.

4. EXPERIENCE - What have you done? Include volunteer work, community service or work with a family business.

5. SPECIAL SKILLS - Include language skills or advanced computer skills.

Other potential sections for a high school resume include:

1.Volunteer or community service
2.Interests eg web design, church or school clubs and bands
3.Activities eg ROTC
4.Awards eg Acknowledgements for participation or outstanding work
5.Membership eg Joined any clubs or teams?
6.Leadership eg Selected to lead teams or groups? Started a group or rejuvenated an old group?
7.Classes eg Taken honors classes or classes outside of school?

The high school resume is the place to showcase your talents and is only a part of the job search.

Once you have a good high school resume, be professional with all your contacts and get help with interview preparation.

Read BullsEyeResumes High School Blog for the latest information on your career and job search.

Here are some special sections you might want to include on a High School Resume. Keep in mind that you want to keep it less than a page so put together the information you can to meet the requirements for the position.

- Classes
- Activities
- Hobbies
- Volunteer work
- Academic Honors & Awards
- Achievements such as GPA or SAT scores
- Varsity
- Individual or Team sports
- Working in a family business
- Technology such as web design
- Languages (Don't forget American Sign Language skills)

There are many, many right ways to write a high school resume.

Here are some of the mistakes that recruiters and HR Managers say they hate to see on a teen worker's high school resume:


1. Spelling Errors, Typos and Poor Grammar
Use "spell check". It won't catch words spelt correctly but used incorrectly on your high school resume, but proof reading will.

Ask a friend, a teacher, a parent or the career counseling office to read your high school resume to catch errors you missed.

2. Accomplishments not highlighted
For example did you "Serve people in a restaurant" or did you "Serve at least 10 customers per shift in a fine dining restaurant?" Speak about outcomes and quantify work done.

3. Missing dates
Add correct dates to your high school resume.

4. Inaccurate or missing contact information
Have you sent your high school resume out with an old phone number? Moved recently? Update resume contact information.

5. Poorly formatted high school resumes
Avoid really big fonts, All UPPER CASE, multiple font types in the same resume and different shape and size bullets. Keep resume format consistent.

6. Use bulleted lists and avoid long paragraphs to keep the high school resume to no more than one page.

7. Try to avoid using personal pronouns in your high school resume.

More high school resume tips:

Princeton University Career Center Resume Guide/

BullsEyeResumes High School Blog/

After writing a first resume draft, put your high school resume aside for a day or two. On day three, use the following checklist as a guide to proofread your resume.

1. Check all the spelling and grammar. Use spell check in your word processor!
2. Verify that all the contact information is correct and current.
3. Make sure the education section has graduation dates and current status (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior).
4. Make sure all relevant honors and achievements are included on your high school resume.
5. Keep education information in the top 30% of the high school resume.
6. Do not include the names of your references in your high school resume.
7. Limit your high school resume to one page.
8. Make sure you use the same font consistently.
9. Keep bullets and general formatting consistent also.
10. Include volunteer work and community service.

Here are some places to get additional help:
1. The areer counseling office at your school.
2. Your parents can also help to proofread your high school resume.
3. Any Human Resource professional or hiring manager.
4. Contact Us to get a FREE resume critique.

Suggested Answer courtesy of Alison Doyle at About: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/teenjobinterviews/qt/teenintquest10.htm

I know that minimum wage is a common base for many hourly positions, but I feel that I am capable of contributing more than most to your company and would like to be fairly compensated.

I did not have any salary expectations when I applied for this job because the job will not only provide a pay check, it will also give me experience in a field I hope to continue to pursue and learn more about.

At my last job, I earned $7 an hour and they had me on the schedule for approximately 20-25 hours a week. I was hoping to earn something in that same area and I would like to also have a similar amount of hours if that is possible. I am sure you will feel you are getting your money's worth when you see how well I work.

More Teen Job Interview Questions
Review more job interview questions and answers for teens to be sure that you ace the interview.