Getting your first job and the interview

I really need to get a job. I'm 19 and I need things and they cost money that I don't have. It's like all the time I think of something I'd like or like to do and I can't because I have no damn money! Like I need $20 worth of boards from Home Depot and there's no $20 so I have to wait until my mom gets payed to get the boards and by then I've wasted two weeks doing nothing. No money for a car so I haven't even bothered getting a license. People make jokes about me needing to get a job.

The problem isn't really the job part, but the interview and applying. A lot of places want you to apply online and if they want to interview you they call you. The problem with that is I'm worse with phones than I am in person. A lady at the bowling alley said she'd put a good word in for me at Pizza Hut, but I didn't even apply because I knew I'd need to go through having an interview first

How did you guys get past applying and your first interview? Do you have any tips?

Applying to jobs is getting easier now that more and more places have online applications but I deffinitely applied to several places that didn't have the online app. and it took a ton of courage and enduring anxiety to go up to the counter and ask for an app. When they call to schedual an interview it's not bad b/c it only takes like a minute and all they really do is ask if you want an interview and if you can come in at such at date at such a time Interviews are not fun and you are going to be really anxious in them. My first interview I thought for sure I screwed it up b/c there were several questions I believed I gave a dumb answer to and some questions I paused on for like 30s to try to think of a lie to answer the question but on my first interview I got the job. First of all dress nice, I no at the first job I got if you had the perfect interview but wore jeans to the interview you were not allowed to be hired. The thing that I think helped me a lot is that pretty much through out the whole interview I had a huge friendly smile (I tend to smile a lot when I'm nervous) and they want friendly employees, also always answer every question they ask even if you have to make up a lie or pause to think about it b/c if you say I don't know you are almost certian not to get hired.

Well, throughout the interview and the two week + two week training my face was bright red and I lost weight due to anxiety not letting my eat, but I pulled through. I guess you just need to convince yourself that if you don't do it, no one else is going to do it for you. It just has to be done or else you'll never get out of the hole you dug.

Everything is tough at first, but it can get better.

Thanks a lot for telling me your stories guys...It seems like such a huge thing to me to get a job. It's the interview that I just can't get past. It's like nobody could help me there...I'm all on my own.

It seems like a big step in the right direction. Its so crappy when someone asks if you go to school or work and you say "no".

I don't even have my GED yet. Ya know why? Laziness since the GED test is a joke and anyone can pass it...and we don't have $15 for the two tests I gotta still do. I don't think they'd hire a person without their GED, what do you guys think?

If anyone else wants to share their story, please do!

Thelema said:

I don't even have my GED yet. Ya know why? Laziness since the GED test is a joke and anyone can pass it...and we don't have $15 for the two tests I gotta still do. I don't think they'd hire a person without their GED, what do you guys think?

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Most service industry jobs (which includes Pizza Hut) don't care too much about having a GED, but it would look better on your application.

For higher-paying jobs, it's a rule of thumb that you need a high school diploma or GED. There are always exceptions, of course.

The best thing to do is keep a smile on your face and look the interviewer in the eyes the whole interview, it will help portray confidence. make sure your dressed professionally too do not wear jeans please .wear some slacks,dress shirt, dress shoes. maybe even a tie . think before you answer each question .good luck dear

I definitely think that it's getting a bit easier now, with the online application process, since it really does take a lot of courage to have to go right up to the counter to ask if they're applying and ask for an application.

I am about to graduate college and I am just having to get serious about the job hunting process and it's sooo nerve-wracking. I've been reading some about how to prepare for interviews though, and all that, so here are some tips that might help you:

- dress professional, as the previous poster mentioned. Slacks and a button-up shirt, and yes, maybe even a tie. It's the whole "first impression" deal. Make a good one by being dressed nicely, and give the interviewer a nice smile, eye contact, and a firm handshake.

- Prep for the interview ahead of time. Look up common interview questions online and plan out your answers for them so that you know just what to say and don't have to sit there thinking about it.

Also, I really would look into and get serious about getting your GED.

A motivational quote I just saw the other day, that I really like:
Ten 2-letter words: "If it is to be it is up to me."

It really couldn't be more true. I'm half just wishing that someone would serve a job to me right on a nice platter or that someone would just call me up asking me to work for their company. But of course the truth is that that is just never going to happen. I have to take the initiative and start applying myself and taking this seriously.

So good luck! And go for that GED! I think it would be a good stepping stone for you. Because if you're saying it feels like crap when they asked if you finished school and you have to say "no," I think you would feel a bit more confident if you could say yes because you had finished up and got your GED.

When you don't have job people think you're lazy and unmotivated...the worst part is they're partly true when they say that. You know how much you SHOULD get a job and if you have parents paying your bills and buying you stuff you can put it off for literally years. You get to a point where you should either be in college or working a full time job and you feel like you wasted a couple years just sitting on your ass...and you sorta have

I have some slacks I wear to bowling tournaments and I can buy a nice collared shirt.

What about a resume? I'm thinking that since I don't have any other work experience and I'm just applying for a part time job to like Wal-Mart or something that I won't need one

If I wait for my GED it's going to take 2 more weeks to take the two tests and then 10-14 days for the writing test to come back so thats 4 more weeks...I'm scared I'll lose my nerve if I wait that long...I'll just keep putting off trying to get a job

I've got a phone interview tomorrow a.m.! Never had an interview before... arghh. I fear the long silences as I'm struggling to sound positive about not having a proper job for so long

Anyone got any tips?

stardog said:

I've got a phone interview tomorrow a.m.! Never had an interview before... arghh. I fear the long silences as I'm struggling to sound positive about not having a proper job for so long

Anyone got any tips?

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If it's a phone interview, is the job mainly dealing with customers on the phone? If so, try to sound bright and upbeat, that's the sort of tone they'd want their customers to hear, especially if it's a call centre selling to people. Don't worry too much about long silences - THEY are asking the questions, not you. But it might be a good idea to have some questions of your own ready (write them down ).

Re the explanation - you could always say how you're recovering after suffering from anxiety/depression. I know it's a gamble whether or not you tell a potential employer things like that but I think it'd be much easier to explain on the phone (especially if you wrote down your explanation first) and you could stress how keen you are to get back in the workplace.

Good luck! (I was out of work some years due to depression and thought I'd never get a job but I've been working for several years now. )

Thanks for the support guys.

At the bowling alley I was too scared to walk up to the front desk and ask for an application so I had Tim get one for me...I filled it out but I didn't have my social security number with me so I couldn't turn it in. I'll turn it in when ever I decide to go bowling again. Hopefully since they usually hire the kids that bowl that I'll get the job. I'm applying to be a dishwasher since thats the only job I think they have open and doesn't include dealing with the public. I just hope Mike will hire me and I can make one more step to a better life...even if I have to wash dishes to get there

I was soooo nervous for my fist job interview!!! I worried about it for days... and then when it finally came the woman asked me three questions: "When can you work?" "What size shirt do you need?" and "Do you mind working late?"

Then she threw me a shirt and a schedule and said see you monday.

I'va had hundreds of interviews since then and they only get better... I kind of LIKE interviews now... it's when I'm most "on" beleive it or not!

You'll get a job... people EXPECT you to be nervous during the interview, so just try and relax and you'll have it golden!

Good luck!

Edith said:

I was soooo nervous for my fist job interview!!! I worried about it for days... and then when it finally came the woman asked me three questions: "When can you work?" "What size shirt do you need?" and "Do you mind working late?"

Then she threw me a shirt and a schedule and said see you monday.

I'va had hundreds of interviews since then and they only get better... I kind of LIKE interviews now... it's when I'm most "on" beleive it or not!

You'll get a job... people EXPECT you to be nervous during the interview, so just try and relax and you'll have it golden!

Good luck!

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Thanks, Edith.

After the gym last week we went by the alley and I just handed the application to Mike. I was a little nervous, but I just wanted to get it over and done with. He said he didn't think he needed anyone and he'd know for sure by last weekend...so since I haven't heard from him I guess he doesn't. I know I'm top of the list now tho, so no worries...still need a job tho :lol:

Okay, here are is what I did after fucking up applications ans interviews to start successfully getting employed. It works for me almost every time, I hope this silly little method of mine is of some use to everyone out there.

I went into my work, asked for the manager, introduced myself, gave a short explanation about why I applied there (like, "I heard the job was enjoyable from someone" or some similar bullshit, whatever you decide, the point it to show a real fake genuine interest in your particular choice of voluntary servitude, it just looks good) and took the application.

After giving it back to the manager (if you take it home, be SURE that the manager him/herself gets it - call ahead of time to see if they are there before you give your application back), I asked him when a good time would be for ME to call him back about the application. Offering to call back, and doing so on time shows punctuality, a favorable trait.

The interview is an abstract thing to worry about, you never know what youre going to be asked, but I know for a fact that you should try not to express any personal opinions, reveal any personal shortcommings, or talk out of place. When asked about what you are good at, LIE. LIE GOD DAMNIT. Even rehearse shit to yourself for a bit in advance to the interview. I mean, practice talking about how social you are, and how you love people, and how nothing gets you down. Just have that mind-set when you go in there. If you are asked something that you arent entirely prepared to lie about, just answer as truthfully as you can, leaving out anything that they wouldnt want to hear. Oh, and don't try and make them pity you, either.

Also, do whatever you can to not seem insubordinate, independent, enlightened, autonomous, individualistic, or humanistic. No one wants to hire someone that was just ranting about how all corporations are pyramid schemes who's structure guarantees that the person above you will profit off of your hard work. Just be stupid. Just be a tool. Act like you will jump through your own asshole for your miserable 8 dollars an hour (if even that).

Getting by in this world via the... LEGAL means is all about sucking up and knowing your place. Just sell drugs or something.

Quetzalcoatl said:

Also, do whatever you can to not seem insubordinate, independent, enlightened, autonomous, individualistic, or humanistic. No one wants to hire someone that was just ranting about how all corporations are pyramid schemes who's structure guarantees that the person above you will profit off of your hard work. Just be stupid. Just be a tool. Act like you will jump through your own asshole for your miserable 8 dollars an hour (if even that).

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*high fives the Sky God*

I work a shitty office job and have almost got the pretending-to-be-enthusiastic-and-motivated bullshit down to a fine art, but there are many moments when it's unbearably hard not to either burst out laughing or throw up my hands and scream in frustration at the utter inanity of it all. I survive by daydreaming my way though the days...

Thelema said:

I really need to get a job. I'm 19 and I need things and they cost money that I don't have. It's like all the time I think of something I'd like or like to do and I can't because I have no damn money! Like I need $20 worth of boards from Home Depot and there's no $20 so I have to wait until my mom gets payed to get the boards and by then I've wasted two weeks doing nothing. No money for a car so I haven't even bothered getting a license. People make jokes about me needing to get a job.

The problem isn't really the job part, but the interview and applying. A lot of places want you to apply online and if they want to interview you they call you. The problem with that is I'm worse with phones than I am in person. A lady at the bowling alley said she'd put a good word in for me at Pizza Hut, but I didn't even apply because I knew I'd need to go through having an interview first

How did you guys get past applying and your first interview? Do you have any tips?

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Take some Valium

princess_haru said:

Quetzalcoatl said:

Also, do whatever you can to not seem insubordinate, independent, enlightened, autonomous, individualistic, or humanistic. No one wants to hire someone that was just ranting about how all corporations are pyramid schemes who's structure guarantees that the person above you will profit off of your hard work. Just be stupid. Just be a tool. Act like you will jump through your own asshole for your miserable 8 dollars an hour (if even that).

Click to expand...

*high fives the Sky God*

I work a shitty office job and have almost got the pretending-to-be-enthusiastic-and-motivated bullshit down to a fine art, but there are many moments when it's unbearably hard not to either burst out laughing or throw up my hands and scream in frustration at the utter inanity of it all. I survive by daydreaming my way though the days...

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watch the film office space-if you work in a office you can relate to it, and its funny

HH said:

watch the film office space-if you work in a office you can relate to it, and its funny

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Think I've heard of that, I'll keep an eye out for it, thanks!