|
I have a job interview tomorrow....
Ok i have a job interview and it's the first one i have ever had i need help i have no clue what to expect...if anyone has ?'s they might ask and what to wear...by the way it's to work at a coffee shop.
[ ]
Want to answer more questions in the Work & School category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Job Searches?
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
thats an adorible outfit for cheap at target. =]
]
Xenolan's answer was awesome the only thing I would add is that another common question is where do you see yourself in 5 years, don't say working there full time, coffee shops aren't looking for an employee to work there until they retire talk about your future goals, graduating, career what you hope to be etc... as for the question about the irate/pain in the ass customer remember the customer is always right and appeasing them is important. I usually say to someone who is a pain "What I hear you saying is....let me help you by replacing/fixing what was wrong. Also if you don't know an answer or don't understand the question ask the interviewer to explain what he means this shows that you are willing to learn.
]
Dress nicely. For a coffee shop, you don't have to wear a suit and tie (or its equivalent if you're female) but do wear good clothes. Take a look at what the employees wear on the job, and dress a little nicer than that for the interview. Groom yourself well and take out any visible exotic piercings. Don't chew gum and don't smoke right before the interview.
Study the menu; they probably have a paper one you can take home. If you do a little homework up front, it shows that you are serious about wanting the job and it will score major points.
Arrive five to ten minutes early. Have a copy of your application if possible, and two forms of ID (the usual is a Driver's License and a Social Security card. If you don't have a DL, a birth certificate will do). You will need the ID in case they have you fill out an I-9 form.
Since this is a customer service position, you will want to show that you are someone the customers will like dealing with. Smile, speak clearly, and shake the interviewer's hand. Be engaging and unfailingly polite; start by thanking them for the opportunity to interview for the job.
Odds are this is a high-turnover job, so the interviewer will probably have a prepared list of questions. First and foremost, always answer TRUTHFULLY. The questions will probably include variations on the following:
(1) Something about your experience. While you say this is your first interview, you've probably done odd jobs before like babysitting or mowing lawns - you can mention things like that.
(2) You will be asked about your strengths and weaknesses. For strengths, pick something relevant to the job (for instance, "I'm good at multitasking" or "I'm willing to pitch in and do the less glamourous parts of the job.") When giving an answer about a weakness, DON'T say something like "I tend to work too hard." That's a stock answer that will make any employer roll their eyes and scoff. Instead, describe a weakness you have AND how you compensate for it (For instance: "I sometimes have a hard time prioritizing tasks, so I will occasionally take a moment to write down all the things I have to do so I can think about it more clearly and determine what to do first.") When talking about weaknesses, offer only ONE example, unless specifically pressed for more. A trick used by some interviewers is to remain silent after you answer, to see if they can get you to say more and essentially bury yourself.
(3) Since you will be dealing with money, you will probably be given a simple math test. Triple-check your answers and make sure you score 100%. If you make an error here, you can pretty much kiss your chances goodbye.
(4) The interviewer will probably set up some scenarios and ask what you would do in certain situations, like dealing with an irate customer or how to handle it if there's money missing out of the drawer. Remember that sometimes, the right answer is "I would refer the problem to the manager."
(5) The interviewer is NOT allowed to ask any questions regarding your health, nationality, religion, political views, or much at all about your personal life. The only thing that they can ask about along those lines are about your job history and education. If you feel a question is inappropriate, ask for clarification or say that you're not sure you see the relevance.
(6) You will have the chance to ask your own questions. A good thing to ask is whether you can be cross-trained. This shows interest in the job and indicates that you want to be a valuable employee. Don't ask about money - that's a question for after the job is offered, and odds are it's not a negotiable thing anyway. You can also ask about the products, like whether they provide a certain variety of coffee or what the most popular items are. If it hasn't come up yet, make sure to ask about the particulars of the job - request that the interviewer describe a "typical day".
(7) At the close of the interview, thank the interviewer once again for the opportunity, and say that you're looking forward to hearing from them (or, they may offer you the job right away!). If you really want to make a stellar impression, send them a letter the next day thanking the manager in writing.
Good luck!
]
More Questions: |