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I'm either applying for a job at Target (Sort of like Walmart,for those of you who are foreign) or at a local gas station.

Do any of you have recommendations for a good application? I'm still in high-school, so I'm not really sure how to say that without sounding like an idiot,haha.

Any tips would be helpful.

Weird my first job was at a Target as well. In all honesty just being strait forward on the application helps alot. Dont make up weird side jobs to make it look like youve done things before. Telling them ts your first job but your more then willing to learn and work will be enough. Also make sure you practice what your going to say to people before an interview. Yes literally talk to yourself in a mirror, it helps ALOT. And if you can make an interviewer at least chuckle, your golden, it shows you have personality and confidence

As for gas stations, dunno about the local laws where you from, but youve got to be 18 to work there, as you have to sell cigarettes around here.

Good luck on the job hunt! And dont waste all your money on warhams

Yeah, just try to be yourself. The worst thing you can do is try to tell them you have all sorts of experiance, but then when you get on the job you have no idea what your doing. Also, turn off your phone, nothing is worse than getting a phone call in the middle of an interview, trust me on that. Especially when its your girlfriend..... and your phone was on speakers....

Thanks! I'm filling out the online application now...I'm at the questionnaire part of it. I feel kinda ridiculous answering questions like : What would people describe you as?
1. tactful
2. Enthusiastic
3. trusting
4. Neat
5. A Heretic

Also,how would you say you liked working at target? It seems like a cool place to work. It smells nice, the uniform is moderate and I know the store like the back of my hand already which = good enough job for me!

HERETIC! GO THE HERETIC!

My brother used to work at Target, he had a supervisor that was a crotchity old lady, but other than that I beleive he didn't have a problem with it.

My first interview was at my home town Wal-Mart. My interviewer was 30 minutes late. I told him about it. Did not make it to interview number 3.....

Samus_aran115 wrote:I'm either applying for a job at Target (Sort of like Walmart,for those of you who are foreign) or at a local gas station.

There's Target stores all over the world, while Walmart's expansion outside the US is more recent. We actually understand Walmart as a bigger version of Target.

Do any of you have recommendations for a good application? I'm still in high-school, so I'm not really sure how to say that without sounding like an idiot,haha.

Any tips would be helpful.

Just think about what they want for an employee. I'm guessing it'll be a part time job, after school, probably fairly low skilled? If that's the case then the biggest issues they'd have are with reliability, staff retention and laziness, probably in that order.

I'd try and convince them that if I received the job I would show up on time for every shift, that I'd be there for a reasonable length of time, and that I was proud of my work and the effort I put in.

Best of luck man, and I hope you plan to waste it all on Warhammer!

sebster wrote:There's Target stores all over the world, while Walmart's expansion outside the US is more recent. We actually understand Walmart as a bigger version of Target.

That is basically what it is.

Just think about what they want for an employee. I'm guessing it'll be a part time job, after school, probably fairly low skilled? If that's the case then the biggest issues they'd have are with reliability, staff retention and laziness, probably in that order.

Expand on:

- Hard worker
- Work ethic (responsible)
- Flexibility
- People person

All retail is the same basically, you smile and charge. Keep in mind that your interviewer is likely taking many people on the same day, if not the same hour. You, your resume, and your impression from those, need to be strong. If you lack experience, show 'drive' (corporate jargon can take you miles) and dedication, and do it within the first few minutes of meeting your future employer. It doesn't really matter how you do any of this, as long as you convince the boss.

I'd try and convince them that if I received the job I would show up on time for every shift, that I'd be there for a reasonable length of time, and that I was proud of my work and the effort I put in.

Say blablabla five times, then do a back flip twice. Seriously...

Once you get a job, there is less song and dance, and more actual work. There is no real way to prove your worth, without providing time invested. Talk about work ethic, but don't get sanctimonious.

Wrexasaur wrote:Once you get a job, there is less song and dance, and more actual work. There is no real way to prove your worth, without providing time invested. Talk about work ethic, but don't get sanctimonious.

You can't prove your work ethic, but you can tick the little boxes on the interviewers questionaire. And the biggest issues for a part time position for a high school student is whether he'll turn up for his shifts, and then whether he'll stay or if they'll have to fill the position again in another three months.

Be honest...with the interviewer and yourself.

Dress well. Come your hair. Bath.
Speak in complete sentences when answering questions and don't say "yea"

Do that and you'll be ahead of about 90% of the other interviewees right there.

Also, if you live in the south, make sure to dress in lots of lots of America/Confederate flags. Even your underwear. Bring a Bible. Make sure to prep about ten quotes relevant to hard work and honesty. And don't forget to make fun of liberals.

Finally, make sure you mention several acts of destruction against Wal-mart. They love when the competition suffers.

Just bring the above post. Everyone can have a laugh.

And don't just wear what you wear to school- lose the hat, holey pants and/or beat up shoes. A button down shirt is good and remember to look them in the eye and sit up straight.
I probably just sounded like your mother.

Wraithlordmechanic wrote:And don't just wear what you wear to school- lose the hat, holey pants and/or beat up shoes. A button down shirt is good and remember to look them in the eye and sit up straight.
I probably just sounded like your mother.

Thats because his mother wants him to get a job ya bum!

Polos are good. Comfy too and in some places "cool" (as in hip) attire.

Definitely do not go to an interview looking like a rap video reject. Even McD's would probably refuse to hire you. LOL.

On second thought, this outfit should be win-win for everyone:

WarOne wrote:On second thought, this outfit should be win-win for everyone:

Frazzled wrote:

WarOne wrote:On second thought, this outfit should be win-win for everyone:

I'd hire you if you came in dressed like that.

Any man/woman with cajones big enough to go to an interview in a vodka suit would be alright to work for me.

One that had always worked for me back during the job hunting days, when they ask you what your weaknesses are, tell them you get aggravated when you get bored, and always need to find something else to do, some kind of sidework. The best one when they ask what you think your strengths are, is to tell them you learn quickly, and are willing to listen to instructions from everyone around you who has been there longer, essentially: do what you are told in order to learn the job better to make it easier for yourself and your co-workers. Word it however you want but that one got me the comment "he seems like a good team member".

Appearance is tricky in my experience. You want to look like you are dressing proffessional, but they know and you know you are just going to be strapping on a uniform shirt and tucking it in. Looking 'too' professional might make you seem insincere, fake, kissing ass too hard. It makes you less of a person in their eyes.

I'm not saying go as a slob, just kind of casual... something that doesn't really draw any attention, that almost resembles the uniform they'll make you wear... like polo shirt or a 'nice' bland color Tshirt (with no band names or whatever on it) tucked in and black pants and black work shoes would work great because they know you planned ahead, already have half your clothes you need to fit their mold, but aren't trying to overdo it. Employers love pragmatism and efficiency.

Man,I don't own anything close to nice clothes. I mean,I've got a couple black polos,but that's about it...Every "Nice" pair of shoes I have is too small now. Now that I've stopped growing though (hopefully,I've got size 11 shoes,anything bigger would be a pain), I should buy some more... Meh.

Still haven't heard back from them yet....

The gas station actually stopped hiring the day after I filled out my application,so I went down there,and they were like "wtf"..

Well, did you going there in this formal gas pumping attire:



Well, don't overdress. Make sure to shave, wear something okay (the solid color polos, khaki pants, and nice shoes, not sneakers) and make sure to be positive and confident, but also make sure to discuss ways to improve and a willingness to lern.

Do advertise you are effectively a blank slate. I found getting my first few jobs far easier than the later ones, as although you have experience, you risk being stuck in your ways, and unable to sufficiently adapt to their way of doing things.

Best thing to do I'd reckon is to ask lots of questions about what the job entails, and what they are looking for in terms of an employee. Think of it as a kind of negotiation. Is the job right for you, and are you right for the job. As they mention bits and bobs, if you feel you have relevant experience, mention it.

Good luck chum!

Nice cloths and a friendly adittude always helps for an interview. goodluck hope you get the job.

Those online personality tests for retail jobs suck. I mean responsible, clever, dependable, or punctual. What word describes you better? How are you supposed to answer that? (That's an example of one from the K-mart one which I failed in college). I worked at Kohl's for two years and JCPenney for 2 and a half years after college. Make sure you're on time for all your interviews, and answer those online tests with what you think they want to hear.

First off, good luck with the application/job hunting.

Hopefuly you will land a job quickly, but don't be disheartened if you don't. Just keep trying.

Many employers will see the fact that you don't yet have any work experience as a bonus, in there eyes it makes you easier to indoctrinate into their organisation. You will not have picked up any bad habits from a previous employer.

Always be honest when filling out applications. Not just with your school grades, but with any other experiences or hobbies you list.

When you get to the interview stage make sure that you arrive 10 minutes early, and are polite to any other candidates or employees. A lot of employers will "plant" staff to observe you and give feedback on your behaviour and attitude towards them and others.
On the morning of the interview make sure that you have showered, shaved and sorted your hair out. Also wear smart black trousers, a shrit and a tie. Also wear some plin black shoes which have been cleaned/polished. Regardless of the job you are applying for it shows that you take the interview seriously, have respect for those interviewing you and most importantly for a customer facing role, you are smart and presentable. Going back to the shirt and tie, just remember to pick something plain and inoffensive like a light blue. matching Homer Simpson socks and ties are never a good look.

When you are called in to the interveiw room, smile, make eye contact and give a firm handshake. Also wait to be offered a seat before plonking yourself down. Body language is important. Try not to sit there with your arms crossed as this looks defensive, also avoid slouching and resting your elbows on the desk as this will make you look disinterested. Remeber to speak clearly. DO NOT SWEAR! and be enthusiastic.

Take in a couple of extra copies of your CV/Resume for the interviewer, they may not have a copy and this shows good planning and organisation. Also think about taking a note pad and pen to jot things down. TURN OFF YOUR MOBILE PHONE!

Take some time to find out a little about the company and where it stands amongst it's competitors, this knowledge will show that you are interested in your potential employer as much as you hope they will be interested in you! Make sure you have a few questions of your own prepared such as are there any company teams or events outside of working hours. Is there the opportunity to work overtime. Are there opportunities to learn new skills such as first aid or forklift truck driving. Ask when you can expect to find out if you have the job or not and how they will let you know (letter, email or phonecall).

Finaly, even if the interveiwer is boring, has bo and you find out that the job sucks and you dont want it, dont let this show, remain polite and at the end of the interview thank them for seeing you, shake hands and if neccesary close the door on your way out.

I have interviewed qute a lot of people for a number of different jobs, from bar work to printing. All of those who I have recomended for employment have followed the tips above.

Good luck mate

Suggestion - write up a good, simple resume and scour the local office parks for an entry-level office job. They will typically pay a lot more and remember if you are a good worker, offering you additional work during holidays, summer vacation, and breaks from college.

- Blackbone

Also, this might sound a little lame, but when I were a lad, I left school with a 'Record Of Achievement'.

If you have something similar, take it with and let them read it. You might excel in a quarter not covered in the interview, showing flexibility. Certainly cannot harm your chances.

Man,you guys are really great! I think the deadline for a "summer-job" is up now, But I'm going to put my best foot forward and apply at a few more places this week.

I really want to get a job so I can finally pay off my friends (I owe like 175 dollars total to a couple people,and I ca pay them off in a couple weeks of working). I hate having a debt. I can't stand to know that people are short on cash (or marines,lol) because of me.

I'm going to try McDonalds,just to see if I even get an interview. I'm also going to try at a couple places like advanced auto parts, and Giant foods. I can take any kind of job,as long as it's close.