You never get a second chance to make a first impression

Applying for jobs
Interviews can be hard and nerve racking for any of us but more so for many of you as it maybe your first interview. Many schools now host special Career days were local employers will give up their time to provide mock interviews. Some of our staff are specially trained in providing such a service, so if you're really nervous just ask.

However if you follow a few simple rules and prepare yourself beforehand then you will have as much success as anyone in interviews.

What do I need to look like for my interview?
Appropriate dress for the teenager is just the same as any other person attending an interview, neat, tidy and well groomed.

Top Tips:

• avoid extreme hairstyles or colours in hair
• keep make up and perfume to a minimum
• never wear jeans or shorts
• no crop tops or tank tops
• no low cut shirts or anything revealing
• no very short skirts wear one preferably that is below the knee
• no collarless shirts or teeshirts
• avoid fashion jewellery
• no dangly or big earrings
• no peak caps or any kind of headwear or hoodies

If your really worried about what to wear, sometimes your school uniform can be a safe bet.

Prepare yourself for the interview

Prepare well beforehand and know what you are going to say and how to conduct yourself in a professional manner, this can be achieved by practicing in front of a mirror or by role playing with friends or family members. Look on the internet for typical questions that interviewers ask and practice how you would answer them.

The more information you can prepare beforehand the better prepared you will be during the interview. Take the time to gather together any papers that you will need and go over them, for instance any references. If you have provided references on your application always make sure you ask them first.

Attending the interview

Walk into the room showing a relaxed and confident manner, shake the hand of the interviewer and don't sit before asked. Remember not to slouch in your chair, swear or use slang words and always be polite. Make clear what hours you are able to work and remember that flexibility is always a key issue.

Top Tip: Enthusiasm at interview is essential
A couple of days after the interview be sure to write a thank you letter to the interviewer thanking them for giving you the interview, here you could also reiterate any particular skills you have for the position and how you could make a positive addition to the work force.

Where's the best place to look?:

• job/career centres - Job centres will usually provide a wide variety of different types of jobs and new openings are posted on a regular basis so it is well worth visiting on a regular basis if you are serious about looking for work. Staff working in the centres is there to assist you in looking for your particular line of work and to help you arrange interviews and offer advice and support in your search.
• connexions - differ in that they usually help people searching for work up to the age of 21 though some now also help older people, career centres will usually have jobs that are specifically aimed at younger people and which are not advertised by the job centre.
• job/career centres - Job centres will usually provide a wide variety of different types of jobs and new openings are posted on a regular basis so it is well worth visiting on a regular basis if you are serious about looking for work. Staff working in the centres is there to assist you in looking for your particular line of work and to help you arrange interviews and offer advice and support in your search. A lot of the career centres will also hold a register where you can be listed and when suitable vacancies come up they will notify you. Younger people may also be sent on training courses and attend group meetings for getting help with writing resumes and have access to free newspapers advertising jobs and can make use of telephones and computers free of charge.
• newspapers - Many job vacancies can be found listed in National, local and free newspapers, there are also newspapers that specialise in job vacancies, usually these are printed by region and only have vacancies that are within commuting distance while others have vacancies on a wider scope. Many employers with vacancies will just advertise in newspapers and not list jobs with the job or careers centres so it is worthwhile to scan these on a regular basis. It is worthwhile checking out your local library as most libraries offer newspapers daily free of charge.
• magazines, journals and agencies - A lot of professions will have their own journals or magazines in which employers will advertise openings, some of these can be bought from a newsagent off the shelf while others are only available as subscription.
• Employers premises - A lot of employers will have job vacancies and work opportunities posted on the premises, the larger stores such as DIY companies and food retailers will have job boards which people can look at which saves them the time and expense of listing vacancies with agencies or newspapers. Some companies will list your name on their books even if they haven't got an opening at the moment and keep you in mind for future vacancies.
• The internet - The internet is a great way of looking for a job, employment and recruitment agencies use it to advertise job openings locally, nationally and internationally. Local companies will also have web sites where they list any vacancies that they may have and most will let you apply for the job online.