Most teenagers are studying full time and survive primarily on the pocket money provided by their parents. It is a common presumption that teenagers do not value money and engage themselves in wasteful expenditures along with being naive and too innocent. Hence, it is necessary for them to have an awareness of the real world. Doing a job in one’s teenage is really beneficial and helpful in one’s future career. This will not only help you to value money but will also make you street smart. The interviews for teenagers are tricky but can be aced by doing serious preparation.
Best 21 Interview Questions
1) How Will You Handle A Task Different From Your Core Profile?
In an organization, you will be supposed to handle a variety of tasks, some of which be different from your educational background. The answers generated to this question will help an interviewer to know about your adaptability and adjustment skills.
Sample Answer
It is true that I will struggle with a task that is different from my core profile. But, I am an achiever and always believe in executing the tasks and duties assigned to me in a superior way. In order to execute such a challenging task, I would take help from my seniors and/or the internet and would never just blindly start working on the project without requisite knowledge about the same.
2) Why Do You Want A Job?
This is a common interview question that enables an interviewer to know your primary reason for joining a job at such a young age. The reasons are subjective to each individual and would largely depend upon the circumstances that you are facing.
Sample Answer
My primary reason for joining the organization is my need to gain some practical industry exposure. Till now, I have only learned and studied everything theoretically, but never experienced anything in practical life. This limits my ability to grasp a particular concept and restricts my imagination to improve the processes. Hence, to learn some practical skills as well as learn communication skills, is my primary reason for joining the company.
3) Where Will You Be In The Next Five Years?
The responses generated to this question would enable an interviewer to understand how serious are you for your career as well as professional life.
Sample Answer
I believe, plans are made by god and we only try to execute them. In my humble opinion, as per my current level of expertise and knowledge, I would be nowhere in the next 5 or 10 years. However, if I commit to improve myself and constantly learn new things in life along with maintaining a strong grip on my core profile, I will be a Manager in some reputed organization like yours, in the next 5 years.
4) Which School Learnings Can You Apply Here?
This is a tricky question that basically enables an interviewer, to know the most important practical attributes you have learned in your school life.
Sample Answer
In schools, everything moves along a timetable. We have to reach there at a particular time, attend classes, play with friends and go back home. Everything is perfectly followed in accordance with time. This taught me two things, first of all, the importance of time and secondly the discipline. Over here, I would apply these two things. I would always respect the time and would be very much punctual in my every task. Further, I would work hard and be would be disciplined throughout my tenure.
5) How Do You Handle Stress/Pressure Situations?
Working in organizations, you might have to work for long hours without any break. Hence, interviewers want to know your attitude towards working in hectic situations.
Sample Answer
I believe, with the level of competition existing in the market, it would be wise for companies to work for 24 hours and 7 days a week. Employees must work in shifts and contribute. I am absolutely fine working in pressure situations wherein I am supposed to handle huge volumes of work every day. I am still young and not suffering from any ailment. Further, I always do strength exercises which keep me healthy and fit.
6) What Do You Value More – Knowledge or Money?
This questions evaluates your personality and general mindset of yours towards learning and knowledge.
Sample Answer
In my honest opinion, knowledge is more important than earning money. I believe, if one invests in oneself, by learning new things in life, getting oneself educated with practical courses and learn practical skills than one would gain a lot of knowledge and would become perfect in his or her field. This, in turn, would enable him or her to earn huge sums of money, thereby satisfying the monetary need. Hence, one must always focus on improving oneself instead of only focusing on earning money.
7) Which Book Have You Recently Read?
This is a common interview question and would enable an interviewer to judge your interests in literature and arts. Always try to avoid books related to romance, love, and comedy.
Sample Answer
I am a vivid reader and read a lot of books during my leisure time. Recently, I have read (______mention the name of your book______). The book is amazing and teaches its readers a lot about confidence and analytical skills. Along with this, I have also learned how to communicate effectively with people and impress them with fluent speech. This book has developed my personality and overall presentation skills.
8) What Is Your Perception Towards Burglary/Pilferage Within The Organization?
Theft/pilferage and burglary are common in workplaces. Hence, an interviewer wants to know your views about the same and the level of resistance you will apply in your tenure, which will refrain you from engaging in such unethical practices.
Sample Answer
I am pretty sure that theft and burglary is a punishable offense and you can serve your time if you engage in such unethical practices. Further, I am a law-abiding teenager, who always contributes with skills, knowledge, and labor. I will never engage myself in such malpractices and would always refrain from such things. I am here to help my organization progress and ascend, rather than dragging them towards a loss.
9) How Important Are Workplace Ethics?
Harassment, bullying, leg-pulling are some of the common malpractices that every organization tries to restrict and maintain a safe environment for its employees. Your answer would enable an interviewer to know whether or not you are against it.
Sample Answer
Sir, I believe employees are the assets of the organization. If they work well, then nobody can stop an organization from progressing and achieving pole position. However, harassment of the employees or simply bullying them leads to an inconducive working environment wherein the working efficiency of the employees falls and ultimately the employer organization suffers. On the personal front, I am very much against such malpractices as it leads to severe mental deterioration of the victims and is shameful for the company as well.
10) How Interested Are You In Entrepreneurship?
This question tests your leadership and risk taking abilities.
Sample Answer
Sir, I believe in order to be successful, one must always take risks and start new ventures. Higher the risk and higher the chances of reward. I am very much interested in starting my own startup and if possible would love to start something with the organization itself.
11) Do You Feel Inferior When Compared With A Bright Student?
This question tests your personality and behavioral aspects.
Sample Answer
Inferiority complex is a common human emotion and almost 90% of the students are affected by it. I believe, this emotion is a double-edged sword and I would be very naive to say that I don’t feel inferior in front of a student possessing more caliber than me. But, it is up to you, as to how you use this sword. I always use it as a source of inspiration that motivates me to work hard and achieve my goals and objective with higher efficiency.
12) How Will You Handle A Disgruntled Customer?
It is common for all businesses to encounter dissatisfied customers. Hence, an interviewer asks its candidates, about the ways and procedures which they will use to satisfy such customers.
Sample Answer
Customers are the king. No business in this world could survive without an efficient and loyal customer base. Hence, efforts must be laid to satisfy them completely so that they are retained and they don’t switch over to rival organizations. A disgruntled or dissatisfied customer must be satisfied by the employees of the company. If I ever encounter such a situation, I would always use my active listening skills to understand the problems of the customer completely and then post an effective analysis, give a diligent resolution.
13) Are You Hardworking?
This is a personality evaluating question.
Sample Answer
Yes, sir, I am. This could be verified from my report cards and my academic profile. I have always laid efforts to improve my skills and my knowledge. Not only this, I have always maintained a high level of discipline with long periods of consistent hard work. Hence, I can assure you that I can work hard and achieve the goals of the organization with high efficiency.
14) Whom Do You Idolize?
This question tells an interviewer a lot about your personality and what you will be in your adulthood. Since you are a teenager, you can choose anyone from a movie actor to a businessman to a singer. Just be genuine.
Sample Answer
Sir, since my childhood, I have idolized (___mention the name of the person you idolize_____). He is a successful person and has risen from poverty, post experiencing most inconducive situations. I always get inspiration from him to work hard and persevere, no matter how tough the hurdles are. He has always taught me to just maintain my focus and concentration on whatever work or task I am doing, by avoiding the distractions as much as possible. This is the only way to succeed.
15) Do You Engage Yourself In Extra-curricular Activities?
Only work and no play, make you a dull person. No employee wants to hire a bibliophile who is always studying and does not engage in any sport, music, or dance. Hence, answer this question positively.
Sample Answer
Yes sir. I play a lot of endurance sports such as basketball and football along with being a regular half-marathon runner. I am not a dull person, rather smart enough to maintain a balance between extracurricular activities and my studies. I never let, recreational activities overtake my studies.
16) Which Languages Are You Aware Of?
This is a common question that helps an interviewer to know how comfortable you are in several languages.
Sample Answer
Sir, I am aware of three languages. The first one is my mother tongue, English, and the second one is Spanish. I have expert knowledge of these languages and I can read, write and speak in them. My third language is Russian. But I have a limited understanding of it, and not able to write it. However, I can converse in it to a good extent.
17) What Motivates You To Work?
Every person in this world has a driving force that makes him or her work hard and achieves goals in life. Since the motivational factors are subjective, knowledge about the same would enable the interviewer to know your personality and approach.
Sample Answer
Sir, there are various motivational factors for me. But, the major thing, that always motivates me to work hard and push my boundaries is my intention to become better than others. I have always been a competitive person throughout my life. Even in school, I always competed against the best and my desire to become better, gave me victory and preference over them.
18) Are You Interested In Repetitive Jobs?
In workplaces, you are supposed to do certain tasks that are repetitive in nature and you might become bored from doing them. But, it is a part of your job, and an interviewer always admires candidates who are able to maintain a high level of focus and execute such tasks perfectly.
Sample Answer
Sir, I am a committed and loyal employee of the company. I would be more than happy to satisfactorily complete the tasks allotted to me, no matter they are adventurous or not. Repetition is a part of life. We sleep daily, walk daily and eat daily. Similarly, tasks must be executed daily. There is no boredom for me in executing the projects and contributing to the organization with my level of expertise and knowledge.
19) What Is Your Biggest Strength?
This is a common interview question, that evaluates your personality. It is advisable that you answer this question after careful self-scrutiny and analysis.
Sample Answer
In my opinion, my ability to persevere is my biggest strength. I will never quit, no matter how tough the task or duty is. I would always give my best and try to achieve my target in a time-bound manner. This always makes me a hard-working person who is committed and focused on his or her work.
20) Why You Chose Us?
This question tests your loyalty, seriousness and commitment towards the organization you have applied a job with.
Sample Answer
Being the most valuable startup in the nation, with more than 100 branches spread across the country, it is a no-brainer for me to join this company. Further, your level of investment in your employees is commendable and since I am still in my teen years, I will be greatly benefited from the regular training and employee education programs organized by the company. This will help me to advance my career and achieve great heights in life.
21) Do You Have Any Questions For Us?
Be it a managerial position or a clerical position. Be it the post of an accountant or an engineer. Every interview session is concluded by this question. An interviewer at the fag end of an interview session wants you to ask a few questions from him or her, which are related to the organization, the job profile offered, and the work ethics of the company. Skipping this question would label you as an under-prepared or non-serious candidate.
Sample Questions
- What are the work timings and are they flexible?
- Do you allow your employees to take leaves during their exam days?
- What are the various benefits offered by the organization to its employees?
- Do you provide cheap education loans to your student employees?
- What are the leave allowances offered by the organization?
Download the list of questions in .PDF format, to practice with them later, or to use them on your interview template (for Teens interviews):
References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277539521000200
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0886260518787815
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