How to get your first job as a shy/boring teenager?

[Kimina]

I am in high school and trying to find my first part time job but am not very outgoing. So how do I go about getting a job when I have to do an interview and all the entry level no experience required jobs require you to deal with customers?

 

How do you impress the employer to give you a chance during the interview if you're not outgoing (boring) and have no previous related work experience? =(

 

My life is pretty generic so you can say that I have no personality. I wouldn't know what to tell someone when they ask me stuff like "What are you most proud of?" or "Why should we hire you?" I would stumble on most of the interview questions that involve the word you or situation questions like "Describe a time on a job in which you were faced with problems or stresses which tested your coping skills. What did you do?".

 

I don't have a driver's license so I can't do any delivery jobs. I'm not that strong either so manual labour is out of the question sigh. So what jobs are there? =(

[testcase]

Everyone has a personality. If you believe your boring believe me that reflects in your personality. You should be able to get a job as a server or something. Maybe at a CVS? Blockbuster? As far as the stress question relate it to a time in life you were stressed by family or something. Everyone has to get their foot in the door that's the tough part I suppose.

[redhearts]

Craigslist, look for jobs where you can fill out the application on-line. Then you have to do an in person interview.

[bronte]

When I was a teenager I worked as a shelver at the local library. The most important part of the interview was proving I could put things in order using the Dewey Decimal system, and they didn't care at all that I wasn't outgoing.

 

Honestly, I think most people hiring teenagers want to know if you're going to be dependable, not whether you're going to be exciting...

[Clementine orange]

. I wouldn't know what to tell someone when they ask me stuff like "What are you most proud of?" or "Why should we hire you?" I would stumble on most of the interview questions that involve the word you or situation questions like "Describe a time on a job in which you were faced with problems or stresses which tested your coping skills. What did you do?".

 

=(

 

 

I think you need to add "naive" to your list of self- adjectives. When faced with questions like that you need to LIE, yes LIE. Why? Because everyone does.

 

For example.

Q. What are you most proud of?

A. Last summer me and two buddies stole a 26er from my Dad and we drank it. I was the only one who didn't throw up. I totally rub that in their faces.

 

Q. Why should we hire you

A. Uhhh, because I need a job...duh, if I didn't then I wouldn't be here. Sheeesh

 

Q Describe a time...coping skills

A. In my last job it was super busy and it got crazy so sometimes we just took the phone off the hook or told customers we were sold out of a product.

 

You see?

 

Seriously though. You have a personality, you have talents, you are not boring. You're only problem is you are young. Some other poster mentioned shelving books in a library - that is a great place to start.

[Clementine orange]

Another suggestion. Get an adult you know and trust to practice going over some of the typical interview questions. Actually act it out and what you will say etc. Set it up so that it "feels" like an interview.

 

They should teach this stuff in high school - seriously

[Eveylyn]

Ok, So my first job (dont laugh) was a car hop at sonic. They hire teens, 15 minimum. It will help with greeting people, walking up to strangers, counting money. yada yada yada. As far as your application and resume....talk to your teachers. Include extra cirricular activities....boys & girls club, band, church drives etc. anything that shows you are willing to succeed is a good thing.

[Sky-Cherries]

When you get references, exploit your connections.

When I went for my 'adult department store' job interview, I got a stunning reference from my Auntie-in-law, who manages a 'department store' in another state.

Every year we go up to visit her, and sit in her store and talk to her as she goes about her business.

She put down, and this is a direct quote from my folder,:

 

'Willing to travel 3 hours for work experience on managing and maintaining the level of quality and customer service expected from those in the adult department store industry, including, but not limited to, sorting and re-shelving of products, managing inappropriate behavoir from customers, answering questions in a private, confidential and helpful manner, and maintaining a strict level of business-appropriate behavoir.'

 

Does any of that make sense? No. But I was the first one in the interview room, and I got the job that day.