Hopefully all the lovely young people will get a job this long vacation. In my teens, I worked at selling shoes, wrapping presents, even teaching. All of us passed through Aunty Ermine’s drug store on Bay Street- “Colonial Pharmacy’. What a name of its time.
They do not make drug stores like that anymore. It was more of an apothecary with the chemist upstairs in a dark and odoriferous space measuring, mixing, titrating and shaking up small bottles of potions. Aunty Ermine had a presence, big laugh and apt to just shout real loud if we were moving too slow, leaving a customer unattended. Not letting the cash register give off its keeching noise.
Anyways, the point is that there was not too much interviewing going on for these jobs and certainly no second interviews.
But times are different and the job market for lovely but relatively unskilled young adults a challenging one. Having done my fair share of interviews, here are some few tips:
1) You need to transmit a fine psychological balance, an interview and job readiness if you like. So be alert, be formal yet at ease with yourself.
2) There is no getting around it. Presentation is an issue. So yes self-expression is all well and good. But you know, leave the piercings at home. Neaten up the hair (young men). You want the interviewer to get a good sense of your character and competence. Minimise the distractions.
3) Dress right. NO bra straps to be on show. Actually that one just goes for life period.
4) Watch the body language. Do not slouch. Arms crossed, not good. Transmits someone who may be closed or inflexible or even contentious.
5) A firm handshake is important. Ladies, none of that limp, character-less hand inaction. Neither, on the other hand, over-pumping and aggressive squeezing.
6) Avoid the slang and near-cursing. No, crap is not an interview word “As in I do not believe in that crap”. You and the interviewers are not pitching marbles together; this is language for your friends on the beach.
7) Do not get defensive. If the interview is not going well, or it is apparent that you are not a good fit for the job, relax and just learn from the experience of the interview.
8 Do not ask trite questions at the end. Like,” so what does your organisation do?” (see #9)
9) Be prepared. Have a good idea what the job content is, what the organisation does.
10) Avoid over-talking when asked questions. Keep your answers to the point.
11) Be polite and positive throughout the interview. Make eye contact. At the end, thank the interviewer for the opportunity.
12) Persist. Let your ego take a holiday. Do not feel bad with job rejection.
How you going to get around the traditional Bajan boneless handshake?
And what about the no show bra strap. No bra perhaps?
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thanks – will pass on to my sons – hearing this from someone else will do some good
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Why no bra straps for life? Job interview I can understand, but women are expected to wear bras. We have breasts. It is unlike a panty, in so far as many tops allow for the peep of the strap every now and again. I can’t understand why it offends people so! I say leave-ah-de-bra strap alooneee. 🙂
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Thanks Roberta. If you don’t mind, I will take some of yours to add to my list. I will be doing some work with youth preparing them for interviews, so this is very useful.
As for the bra straps! oh how they bother me!
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