No work experience? What are your weaknesses? Teen job interviews (Part 4)

No work experience? What are your weaknesses? Teen job interviews (Part 4)

We've been going over some tips on how to answer interview questions if you are trying to get your first job. It's a little intimidating, but if you come prepared and practice your answers to these questions, you'll go into your interview with confidence that you have what it takes to get hired.

So you're in the interview, and the interviewer asks you one of the scariest interview questions, "What are your weaknesses?" This question is tough because the last thing you probably want to do is list reasons why they shouldn't hire you.

It's really tempting to answer this question with:

I don't have any weaknesses.

Don't say you don't have any weaknesses because everyone has them. Employers aren't looking for you to give them reasons not to hire you. They want to know if you know what your weaknesses are and how you handle them.

Now you want to be honest but you also want to be smart with your answer. Stay away from saying:

I'm really lazy and love to sleep in.

I have no idea. This will be my first job so I could be a terrible employee..or I could be awesome. Let's find out.

Seriously!?! You're really asking me that?!?!

You also want to avoid lame cliched answers:

I think my biggest weakness is that I'm just too enthusiastic about getting a job!

I will probably work too hard and show too much initiative. Oops!

What you want to do is pick something that you can prove won't be a weakness long term:

While I don't have a ton of work experience, I am a very fast learner and am really motivated to work hard. I've spent a lot of time volunteering at a daycare which has given me a good idea of what it's like to be part of a team and I am excited about this opportunity to possibly join yours.

An answer like that will show the interviewer that even though they may be interviewing people with more experience than you, you are motivated to be a great employee and would be a good fit in their company.

Tags: no work experience what are your weaknesses interviewing for jobs with no work experience job interview questions and answers teens teenagers job interview no experience work working have interviewing interviews how to find a job Snagajob video resume applications unemployed unemployment employer hiring manager tips advice hints gaps career help answers questions blog students

[Snagco]

Great question! Scheduling is tricky. You want to be honest with the employer about your schedule. Employers get frustrated when employees say they are available for shifts when they apply and they actually aren't because of school or sports. Find out when the employers really need help and try to work with them on realistic schedules that can work for both of you. We're so glad you found our videos helpful!

[Snagco]

Thanks for your feedback, Ladii! We're so glad you found our video helpful!

[deeannsikes]

Love these videos! I show them in my classes all the time!

[Snagco]

Hi, Amanda! It's never too late to start volunteering! Find an organization that needs volunteers and start getting involved? School activities and clubs count as well, even sports! You can even refer to hobbies or other activities do you on your own!

[Snagco]

The main thing you want to do for customer service is be friendly and helpful. Ask a lot of questions to find out what kind of fragrance they're looking for and maybe even fragrances they've used in the past that they've liked and what they liked about them. If you think this question may come up in an interview, go to the department store beforehand and check out the various fragrances. Good luck on your interview! Please let us know how it goes! We're rooting for you!!!

[Buddychigo]

It is! But you have to make sure that your weakness can be improved upon. Or that you're working on it. If your foreign-language skills are weak, you could mention it if you're following evening courses, for example. It's all about showing that, while you are not perfect (nobody is), you're doing your best to become better :)

[Snagco]

Congratulations on landing an interview! Do your research on the company and ask questions! Also, remember to smile! Good luck! Please let us know how it goes!

[Snagco]

Great advice, Buddychigo! Thanks for sharing!

[curlykay]

Hey I have an interview for Wendy’s tmr and I don’t know what questions they’ll ask !

[khaalidjama]

I like this video, it gives me good advice and am ready for my interview.

[MissA]

Im a big gamer as well and I went inside asked for a job app filled it out in the store. Then asked for the manager introduced myself gave him my app as well as a resume. He looked @ my resume and then sched an interview. I also followed up a week after the interview by calling. Then had a second interview and got the job They look for knowledge and passion about games! and my gamestop didn hav a now hiring sign even tho they were hiring so just walk in ur nearest one and see if they are hiring

[juliegirl]

How do you answer How do you feel about the statement 'The customer is always right'?

[Snagco]

Great advice! Thanks for sharing these tips!

[Dedajdedaf]

can you do a video of what to wear if you dont hav anything formal

[MissA]

What advice can you give to college students with multiple jobs? Right now I have 2 jobs one at a movie theater and one at gamestop, and seasonally I might have an extra job at Teavana during winter and summer breaks. I need the money to pay for school but want to know tips on scheduling? btw I watched all the snagajob vids before my interview and they were really helpful in getting me my jobs I have now! :)

[emma-leighdennis]

Need to do tell me about yourself for teens

[찰리-ot]

I hope this thing will help cause I the jobs I apply to they won't hire it's so depressing

[stephanierodriguez]

I have a job tomorrow as a Electric Assembler and I have no job experience just volunteer but how would that be relevant to sitting down in a office and building stuff? HELP !

[cinddyy]

Hi Im scheduled for an interview soon. Its retail and what should I do if they ask me to pretend they are the customer and I try to sell them a fragrance

[juliannaw]

How can I answer this in a different way if I haven't ever volunteered for something?