A good way to prepare for a job interview is to practice answering some common questions you’re likely to be asked. This is especially important if you are a teenager and may not have years of work experience to talk about. By learning about the questions employers ask and how you answer them, you can give yourself a better chance of landing a job.
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In this guide, we review questions that hiring managers could ask teenagers during job interviews and we provide some sample answers.
Teen interview questions with sample answers
Below are some common questions teenagers face during job interviews, along with some example answers:
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Why are you looking for a job?
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Why do you want to work for us?
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What makes you the best candidate for this job?
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What are some of your biggest accomplishments?
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Where do you see yourself in five years?
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What are you learning in school that will help you with this position?
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Tell me about a problem you had recently and how you solved it.
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Do you have any questions about the job?
Why are you looking for a job?
Employers use this question to learn more about your motivations. Think about your reasons for wanting employment while you are still in school, then explain why these motivations can make you a good employee.
Example: “I am looking for a job for two reasons. First, I would like to gain more experience in this industry. I have a passion for computers, so I would love the chance to work with them and learn more about them after school and on weekends. Second, I am looking to attend college after I graduate from high school. Getting a part-time job now would allow me to start saving up so that I can afford classes in a few years.”
Why do you want to work for us?
Employers could interview dozens of candidates for one open position, and they want to make sure the person they hire is interested in working for them. To answer this question, learn more about the business before your interview. Learn about the industry, customer base, size, and history. Pick a few factors that interest you and explain why those factors make you want to work there.
Example: “I want to work for Premiere Marketing because of the size and the services you offer. I am interested in social media and online marketing, which seems like a large part of what you offer. I’d like to either open up my marketing firm one day or become a full-time freelance marketer. Getting the opportunity to work closely with customers at a smaller firm like Premiere would give me the hands-on experience I’m looking for.”
What makes you the best candidate for this job?
The job market is competitive, so employers want to know why they should hire you over someone else. Use this question to sell yourself and highlight your best qualities. As a teenager, you likely don’t have a lot of work experience yet, so you may need to rely on your characteristics and high school achievements.
Example: “I believe I am the best person for the job because of my passion and dedication. I have always loved helping people out and working in a fast-paced environment. From a young age, my parents instilled in me the importance of hard work, which I think is reflected in my high school transcript. I am a reliable person who can be counted on to get my tasks done correctly and on time, no matter how small or large it is.”
What are some of your biggest accomplishments?
Employers like to see that you have strived for something and achieved it. This shows your desire to improve yourself. You may not have many achievements yet, so you may need to be creative. If you don’t have any awards or honors just yet, find a way to highlight smaller accomplishments. Use the STAR method to give a compelling answer.
Example: “I would say one of my biggest accomplishments was receiving a B+ on my Algebra 2 final exam last year. It may not sound like much, but I struggled with algebra last year. I stayed after school countless times with a tutor and spent hours doing homework questions until I got them right. Throughout the year, my grades weren’t great, but I stuck with it. When I received that B+ on my final, I felt a great sense of accomplishment. I want to continue working hard in my math classes to learn more.”
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Hiring managers usually want candidates to have goals and ambitions since they demonstrate hard work and motivation. If you need to, consider where you think you’ll be next year, then the year after that, and so on. This can help you create a list of steps for where you plan to be in five years. Try to relate this goal to why you want to work at the company.
Example: “In five years, I would like to be close to graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. It’s my goal to become an elementary school teacher one day, which is why I felt working at a daycare would provide me with some experience working with young children.”
I hope you find this article helpful.
