The All-New, All-Inclusive Job Wanting and/or Job Having SUPERTHREAD!

The SSB Intern · 06-07-2011, 06:39 PM

It's been a while since we've had a nice job thread and I got an excuse to make one. Let's get fucking professional, guys.

So, I have a job interview this Thursday for a greasy fast food service position. I don't think I started out too well as I made fun of the guy on the phone for mispronouncing my name (I thought he was another army recruiter). With that in mind, I have to ace this interview if I want this job, and I really, really do. So, I call upon you NPF! Lend me your strength!

-The eye contact issue: is it true to never break eye contact under any circumstances?

-I have a slight nervousness around strangers or when I'm trying to think. I'll frequently touch my face or hair while talking. Any advice on curbing this?

-One of the sites I went to for tips said not to bring your cell phone. That doesn't really sound right, but maybe I'm wrong?

-Tie or no tie?

Also, any other random tips you can pass out would be greatly appreciated!

mauve · 06-07-2011, 06:51 PM

I dunno about not BRINGING your phone, but at least turn it off or silence it.

Specterbane · 06-07-2011, 07:07 PM

Keep your eyes on theirs while they're talking or while you're talking, otherwise if you look at what ever papers they've got or have handed you that should be fine. Just make sure you don't look anywhere inappropriate and show that you're paying attention to them and you should be fine.

Try keeping your hand together and in front of you on the table at all times, that might help remind you not to let them wander anywhere like pockets or your face.

Keep you cell phone, but turn it to silent or off before you go in.

Tie's optional, but definitely be dressed business casual. That's Khakis, Belt, and a Polo at least. If you've got nice shoes where those too. The important thing is to look clean and presentable, let the way you dress show you want the job.

Aside from that, it's only a fast food place so don't fret over it too much. Good luck.

Kerensky287 · 06-07-2011, 07:12 PM

It's not true that you NEVER break eye contact. That makes you come off as a little creepy to some people. Keep it natural, but make sure that you make eye contact once in a while. Look at their face instead of the ground, I guess.

Bringing your phone is okay but you HAVE to silence it. Getting a call or text in the middle of an interview is pretty much a guaranteed non-pass.

To avoid touching your face or hair, I'd recommend just keeping the position of your hands in mind. If the interview takes place seated, folding them in your lap might help unless you're a hand-talker. If the interview takes place standing, just keep them at your sides, but again, stay natural - if you LOOK like you're trying, it's almost as bad as if you aren't trying at all.

For a fast food service position, I'd recommend against a tie (looks too formal) but you should definitely dress somewhat-nicely. No jeans, nothing with holes, wear a collared shirt, that sort of thing. The key is to look confident and capable, and if you show up in a tux, for example, then the manager knows that 1) you're desperate and 2) you have no idea what you're doing.

For the interview itself, be honest, but go for the positive spins. Let the person know (not explicitly) that you want the job and that you'll work hard at it. For a fast food position, they want someone keen and reliable, and they want to know that you aren't the type of person who will sit in the corner and goof off when they're supposed to be working.

Good luck! I hope it goes well.

P-Sleazy · 06-07-2011, 07:24 PM

You're going to work at a greasy restaurant. Just go in there. Dressed like the people who work your job (so a polo and khakis and decent shoes [not flippy floppies], no tie). Talk to the manager. Don't sound like a skeez. Don't flirt with any of the girls there either (you do that once you get the job). Eye contact is good. Lean forward a bit.

Finally, the most important thing to do is whenever they ask you a question. Answer the question. And it briefly. Don't give them your life story. And if they do ask for your life story its "well, I'm from X and I've been in Y for Z years."

Also, don't be afraid to make small talk or joke around with the person if thats the way its going. People like to hire people they made a connection with. Just make sure you keep it within the bounds the inverviewer set up. Meaning, if they start making little jokes, you can too, just don't control the jokes. A "thats what she said" (used appropriatly) is fine. But don't start going down the road of "what do you like in a manager?" and your response is "me" (pretend the person interviewing you is your potential future boss and is an attractive, relatively young female no more than 4 years your senior). Totally inappropriate. Unless you're getting her number as a result, then you're much better off with the digits than you are with the job.

And my last bit of advice. And the MOST important bit.

Take a bath before showing up.

Kerensky287 · 06-07-2011, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P-Sleazy

Take a bath before showing up.

Yeah my advice for life (regardless of job applications) if you don't do it already is bathe at least once a day because NOBODY likes somebody with poor hygiene.

The SSB Intern · 06-07-2011, 07:34 PM

The bathing I am totally cool with it, but shaving is where I get lazy. I usually wait until I absolutely need to, but I'll make a mental note on shaving the night before.

Thanks for the suggestions so far, guys!

Doc ock rokc · 06-07-2011, 11:55 PM

If you have anyone currently working there or at any branch of the company Tell the manager about it. It's way easier if you have a person on the inside.

Professor Smarmiarty · 06-08-2011, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kerensky287

Yeah my advice for life (regardless of job applications) if you don't do it already is bathe at least once a day because NOBODY likes somebody with poor hygiene.

That's actually bad hygiene. You're damaging the outer layers of your skin which are good protetion. Unless you are super active you generally should shower only every other day except when you have been out and sweating and things.

As for interview just take it naturally. If you be someone you are not in interviews then it just going to cause trouble in the job.

The SSB Intern · 06-08-2011, 11:44 AM

@Doc: The branch just opened up in our area, so that would be a negative. I'll keep that in mind if this one doesn't work out though.

@Smarty: I sweat like its no one's goddamn business.

06-07-2011, 06:39 PM	#1
The SSB Intern We'll have to do this the hard way. Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Behind it all. Posts: 1,009	The All-New, All-Inclusive Job Wanting and/or Job Having SUPERTHREAD! It's been a while since we've had a nice job thread and I got an excuse to make one. Let's get fucking professional, guys. So, I have a job interview this Thursday for a greasy fast food service position. I don't think I started out too well as I made fun of the guy on the phone for mispronouncing my name (I thought he was another army recruiter). With that in mind, I have to ace this interview if I want this job, and I really, really do. So, I call upon you NPF! Lend me your strength! -The eye contact issue: is it true to never break eye contact under any circumstances? -I have a slight nervousness around strangers or when I'm trying to think. I'll frequently touch my face or hair while talking. Any advice on curbing this? -One of the sites I went to for tips said not to bring your cell phone. That doesn't really sound right, but maybe I'm wrong? -Tie or no tie? Also, any other random tips you can pass out would be greatly appreciated! __________________ You know who never sleeps? My gun.

06-07-2011, 06:51 PM	#2
mauve So Dreamy Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Someplace magical Posts: 6,863	I dunno about not BRINGING your phone, but at least turn it off or silence it. __________________ Yoo Hoo!

06-07-2011, 07:07 PM	#3
Specterbane Safety First Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Land of Gumdrops and Ice-cream Posts: 746	Keep your eyes on theirs while they're talking or while you're talking, otherwise if you look at what ever papers they've got or have handed you that should be fine. Just make sure you don't look anywhere inappropriate and show that you're paying attention to them and you should be fine. Try keeping your hand together and in front of you on the table at all times, that might help remind you not to let them wander anywhere like pockets or your face. Keep you cell phone, but turn it to silent or off before you go in. Tie's optional, but definitely be dressed business casual. That's Khakis, Belt, and a Polo at least. If you've got nice shoes where those too. The important thing is to look clean and presentable, let the way you dress show you want the job. Aside from that, it's only a fast food place so don't fret over it too much. Good luck. __________________ http://www.nuklearforums.com/showpos...ostcount=10436

06-07-2011, 07:24 PM	#5
P-Sleazy Can Summon Sparkles by Posing! Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kinging it up! Posts: 2,339	You're going to work at a greasy restaurant. Just go in there. Dressed like the people who work your job (so a polo and khakis and decent shoes [not flippy floppies], no tie). Talk to the manager. Don't sound like a skeez. Don't flirt with any of the girls there either (you do that once you get the job). Eye contact is good. Lean forward a bit. Finally, the most important thing to do is whenever they ask you a question. Answer the question. And it briefly. Don't give them your life story. And if they do ask for your life story its "well, I'm from X and I've been in Y for Z years." Also, don't be afraid to make small talk or joke around with the person if thats the way its going. People like to hire people they made a connection with. Just make sure you keep it within the bounds the inverviewer set up. Meaning, if they start making little jokes, you can too, just don't control the jokes. A "thats what she said" (used appropriatly) is fine. But don't start going down the road of "what do you like in a manager?" and your response is "me" (pretend the person interviewing you is your potential future boss and is an attractive, relatively young female no more than 4 years your senior). Totally inappropriate. Unless you're getting her number as a result, then you're much better off with the digits than you are with the job. And my last bit of advice. And the MOST important bit. Take a bath before showing up. __________________ The King is your new master now. Totally returning for the Summer: a mafia Game: Sign ups HERE!

06-07-2011, 07:34 PM	#7
The SSB Intern We'll have to do this the hard way. Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Behind it all. Posts: 1,009	The bathing I am totally cool with it, but shaving is where I get lazy. I usually wait until I absolutely need to, but I'll make a mental note on shaving the night before. Thanks for the suggestions so far, guys! __________________ You know who never sleeps? My gun.

06-07-2011, 07:12 PM	#4
Kerensky287 Just That Good Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,426	It's not true that you NEVER break eye contact. That makes you come off as a little creepy to some people. Keep it natural, but make sure that you make eye contact once in a while. Look at their face instead of the ground, I guess. Bringing your phone is okay but you HAVE to silence it. Getting a call or text in the middle of an interview is pretty much a guaranteed non-pass. To avoid touching your face or hair, I'd recommend just keeping the position of your hands in mind. If the interview takes place seated, folding them in your lap might help unless you're a hand-talker. If the interview takes place standing, just keep them at your sides, but again, stay natural - if you LOOK like you're trying, it's almost as bad as if you aren't trying at all. For a fast food service position, I'd recommend against a tie (looks too formal) but you should definitely dress somewhat-nicely. No jeans, nothing with holes, wear a collared shirt, that sort of thing. The key is to look confident and capable, and if you show up in a tux, for example, then the manager knows that 1) you're desperate and 2) you have no idea what you're doing. For the interview itself, be honest, but go for the positive spins. Let the person know (not explicitly) that you want the job and that you'll work hard at it. For a fast food position, they want someone keen and reliable, and they want to know that you aren't the type of person who will sit in the corner and goof off when they're supposed to be working. Good luck! I hope it goes well.

06-07-2011, 11:55 PM	#8
Doc ock rokc ...Really? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: in Theory. Everything works here Posts: 3,961	If you have anyone currently working there or at any branch of the company Tell the manager about it. It's way easier if you have a person on the inside. __________________ I have a Pesterchum its DangerousDoc I am ether fading out of Time, Space, or Reality...Or Simply my Typewriter is running out of ink

06-08-2011, 11:44 AM	#10
The SSB Intern We'll have to do this the hard way. Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Behind it all. Posts: 1,009	@Doc: The branch just opened up in our area, so that would be a negative. I'll keep that in mind if this one doesn't work out though. @Smarty: I sweat like its no one's goddamn business. __________________ You know who never sleeps? My gun.