Follow up and interview
After you have applied for a position, give it about a week and if you do not hear anything, you can make a call to the manger of the establishment. Give them your name and let them know that you have applied for said position and was wondering if they have already filled that spot. This will give you an opportunity to know where you stand in applying for this job. This also gives the employer a chance to know that you are ambitious and are eager.
Interview
If you have been successful in your endeavors and have been giving the opportunity for an interview, here are some tips to help you:
- Arrive a few minutes before the scheduled interview. Do not be late for this!
- Dress up for the interview. No jeans, no shorts, no tank tops. Look professional, even if you will be flipping burgers.
- No gum and no cell phone distractions.
- Keep eye contact at all times.
- Stay calm, take a deep breath if you are nervous.
Sample interview questions
Here is a list of some sample questions that your prospective employer might ask you. Most questions are going to be about what type of person you are and why you will be good for the position. I remember one of my interviews as a waitress and they asked me what three things I would take on a deserted island. The boss wanted to know what types of things I valued in life.
Tell me about yourself.
What is your greatest strength?
What is your greatest weakness?
How do you handle failure?
How will your greatest strength help you perform?
How do you handle success?
Do you work well with other people?
How do you handle stress and pressure?
How would you describe yourself?
Are you lucky?
Are you nice?
How do you view yourself? Whom do you compare yourself to?
What motivates you?
Are you a self motivator?
What are you passionate about?
What are your hobbies?
What has been the greatest disappointment in your life?
What are your pet peeves?
Describe your ideal boss?
Why should we hire you?
Why shouldn’t we hire you?
What can you contribute to this company?
Why are you the best person for the job?
Practice answering these questions beforehand. You don’t want to speak in a rehearsed tone, this is just to help you come up with good answers.
Thank the employer for their time before leaving.
If the employer chooses to ask you if you have any questions and you don’t, a smart response would be, “Is there anything that you see on my application that would prevent me from getting this job?”
Follow up with a letter
Follow up with a nice handwritten letter thanking them for the opportunity to meet with them. You hope your answers were up to their expectation and if it isn’t what they are looking for, thank them for the opportunity for experience in job interviews. Have a wonderful day, Sincerely your name.
If time goes on and the employer let’s you know that you did not receive the job, ask them if they would mind sharing with you what made them decide not to give you the position. Ask them to be honest, because you want to improve yourself for your next interview.
Critiquing is a great way to find out what it is you are doing wrong as to not repeat it next time. Don’t question why they decided on that, just find out what you can improve upon for next time. If you are truly willing to improve your interview skills, this will be your biggest asset.
Resignation
If you come to the point in your job and you need to resign, give your employer at least two week’s notice. Be honest about why you will be leaving and leave on a positive note. You want to be able to use this as a recommendation for future jobs if needed. Giving two weeks allows them the time to find a replacement for you. Common courtesy.
How to keep the job
You got the job, now how do you go about keeping it? Diligence is key in holding the job. To be diligent means that you give special attention to the things that are expected of you. Here are some more tips to help you:
- Be responsible and be willing to take on more. People who are willing to take charge and know when to step in get promotions.
- Whatever your job is, work hard. Do the best to your ability from day one to the last day.
- Be honest. There are many times in our lives when we could cheat on our time cards or do less than is expected without anybody When you work, you are really working for God. The Bible says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23). Do what you think is right to reveal your true character.
- Learn everything you can about your job. The more you know about your job, the more valuable you will become.
- Don’t let yourself be distracted by other things. Take care of personal things on your own time, not on work time.
- Be a valuable asset to your boss. Be punctual, cooperative, independent, enthusiastic, honest, and fun. If you do a good job and are easy to work with, that is valuable.
- Do your job and more. Do the little things that make you stand out from other’s
- Don’t be a time waster. Complete your tasks with speed and accuracy.
- Always be on top of your profession. Learning is a lifelong process, stay on top of things and continue learning new ways of doing things.
