remember my first job interview. My hands were shaking. Questions ran through my mind. Am I answering appropriately? Will they hire me?

Interviews can be intimidating. However, with preparation, the probability of our teens being hired increases, as does their confidence.

Research the company, particularly the mission statement and buzz words used on the website. If you know the name of the interviewer, find out their position and job description. These helpful nuggets set the stage for answers to questions that may be asked in the interview.

Anticipate questions the interviewer might ask and prepare answers accordingly, particularly the popular lead, “Tell me about yourself.” When answering, share strengths or experiences applicable to the open position or company culture. Encourage your high schooler to consider how their personal, work and volunteer experiences relate to the position.

The “tell me about yourself” answer should be a concise thirty to sixty-second response. Think “elevator pitch”. An outline with a solid beginning (I work, I serve, I enjoy), middle (I volunteered, I worked, I studied), and end (My skills, I plan, I am enrolled) to facilitate continuity and prevent rambling. Once written, practice or roleplay the answer. Some high schoolers prefer to memorize the answer, while others practice the response repeatedly in front of a mirror.

Interviewers might also ask, “What is your greatest strength?” and “What is your greatest weakness?”. Have students prepare a statement for each emphasizing the value and skills the high schooler brings to the organization. For example, to highlight the strength of time management a senior may reply, “I have managed my time well, completing my schoolwork while maintaining a 4.0 GPA, playing varsity sports at the local high school, and volunteering seventy-five hours mentoring young athletes this semester.”

Stating a weakness can be more difficult. Try shifting the mindset to a possible area of growth. For example, “I have honed my organizational skills, creating an electronic file and spreadsheet system where I can save assignments and record test scores.” Like the “tell me about yourself” answer, prepare concise statements.

• How did you hear about the position? (online, personal reference)
• What is your work environment preference? (fast-paced, quiet, energetic)
• Do you favor working individually or with a team?
• How do you handle stressful situations?
• What is your ideal hourly rate/salary?
• Based on your transcript/resume, it seems like you took a gap year. Tell me about your experiences during that year.

Near the end of the interview, the interviewer may ask if the high schooler has any questions. Here are some questions they might want to ask.

• What is the next step for me in the interview process?
• Does the company offer professional education or development opportunities?
• What role do you see me having on the ________ team?
• Is there a performance review period for the position?

Practice your travel route the day before the interview at the same time of day to identify any potential delays, especially if you’ll be using public transportation. Consider alternate routes as a backup. Later in the day, plan what clothes to wear and pack a list of references (in case the interviewer asks), three copies of their transcript and resume (if applicable), a notepad, and a pen. Set an alarm and get a good night’s sleep. Preparation is complete!

It’s time for the interview. Arrive early to make up for any unexpected obstacles, like a full parking garage or elevator maintenance. To that point, two of our young adults arrived for interviews and, unbeknownst to them, were being “evaluated” as soon as they parked in the company lot. Another was given incomplete directions so that the company could observe how he would problem solve and handle stressful situations. Encourage your high schooler to know the route, leave earlier than planned, and arrive earlier than necessary in case unexpected circumstances occur. Use any extra time to observe employee and workplace dynamics.

While sitting with the interviewer—or team—listen intently, making eye contact with each person in the room. Be aware of body language and non-verbal cues. Be present and speak positively when explaining past situations or employment experiences, keeping answers concise, and respecting the interviewer’s time. These are all indicators of how the prospective employee will interact with coworkers and with customers or clients. Both what is said and what is not said during the interview are equally important in the hiring process.

Waiting for a response can be difficult. Be productive while waiting. Write an email of gratitude and a handwritten thank you note. The email thank you should be within twenty-four hours of the interview and addressed to the interviewer, double-checking the spelling of the name. In the email, mention an interview highlight that was helpful or insightful to serve as a reminder of the conversation.

Preparation, practice, and organization are key components of successful interviews, both for employment and for college admission. Often, the preparation and role-playing practice for interviews hones research, communication and self-awareness skills.