Male student 1: Hello Cini
Male student 2: Oh hi Henry, how are you doing today?
Male student 1: I am doing great, you?
Male student 2: I am fine thank you. It seems you are in a hurry, are you going somewhere?
Male student 1: No not really, I just want to get home to pack up some of my stuff. I am due to spend the holiday with my family in Ibiza.
Male student 2: Wow, lucky you. I get to work this summer to raise some money for myself next semester. So I am staying put all through the holidays.
Male student 1: Oh, that’s a shame. Where would you be working during the summer holidays?
Male student 2: I have not gotten a place yet but I have sent applications to some companies that are looking to recruit short term in the summer.
Male student 1: Ok, I guess your resume is in good shape then?
Male student 2: Yes, I was able to draw up a CV some weeks back which is what I have used. Do you have a minute? I just want some advice on how to be successful in a job interview. Joel told me you did a summer job last year and you could help me. He also said I could find you here in the library.
Male student 1: Yes, Joel is right. So what do you want to know?
Male student 2: Well, since I have not been to a job interview before, I want to know all you can tell me about attending a job interview generally.
Male student 1: Hmm, okay, I will try my best to summarise all you need to know to be successful in a job interview. First of all, you need to know all about the company that has invited you for an interview. Their complete history, such as what they do and how they do it; when the company started; the name of their CEO; working hours for staff etc. You could do a search on the internet and get all the information you need as most companies now have an online presence. You will always find enough information about a company which will be useful in an interview.
Male student 2: Ah, that’s the first task then. Tell me more.
Male student 1: You need to be conversant with some common questions that are most likely asked in interviews. Questions such as, why do you want to work with us? What inspires you? Have you done this sort of job before? It is good to prepare yourself for all these types of questions even though you feel you know the answers and can answer them in a heartbeat. But preparing a good and precise answer beforehand ensures that you make an impression on your interviewer. You also need to be conversant with all the details on your CV such as details of work you have done in the past, special skills acquired and professional certificates acquired with dates.
Male student 2: Oh I see. When going for the interview, do I need to wear casual clothes?
Male student 1: Aha, before I forget, let me intimate you on some general interview etiquette. You need to dress smart no matter the kind of company you are going to attend their interview. Smart-casual or smart-corporate dressing but I think because it is a temporary summer job, smart-casual will do. You should be at the venue at least 30 minutes before the time of interview so you can familiarise yourself with the environment and settle down properly. You also need to be polite during and after the interview. For instance, you should knock before entering the interview room, greet the person or people going to interview you and always ask to sit or be offered a sit before sitting down for the interview.
Male student 2: Hmm, thanks for the tips, Henry. I think I should be able to do well in an interview by following the tips you just gave me.
Male student 1: Err… finally, Cini, because it is a summer job you are going for and not a permanent job, vacancies may abound in the hospitality, food processing and warehousing, superstore, and mail sectors. Treat every interview and subsequent job seriously, no matter the sector you find yourself. You never know, you may be offered a position every summer you are in school up until you finish school and can even be offered a permanent position.
Male student 2: Thanks Henry, I will keep that in mind.