Prepare for the
Interview Handling Difficult
Situations
Interviews are nerve-racking for
everyone, even seasoned workers. So,
preparation and practice is always a
good idea. Chances are that things won’t run
perfectly smoothly. There will be chal-
lenges from which he will have to learn.
Parents can help prepare teens to handle
difficult situations by talking to them
about some of their own experiences.
Perhaps you’ve had a difficult boss in
the past or there was someone at work
who gave you a hard time. Your teen
can learn a lot from your own trials and
tribulations.
“Walk your teen through a mock
interview,” recommends Morin. “Pre-
tend to be the interviewer and ask some
common interview questions.” Morin
says that this will help your teen develop
confidence in her ability to answer ques-
tions.
You might want to set up a space
with a desk and chair so that it feels like
a real interview. Morin stresses, “Talk
about the basics as well, such as shak-
ing the interviewer’s hand, making eye
contact, and thanking the interviewer
when the interview is over. Additionally,
tell your teen to shut her phone off and
emphasize that a prospective employer
wants to know she can refrain from
checking her phone or texting.”
Parents should also teach their teens
how to handle rejection and to forge
ahead. Remind him that being turned
down doesn’t mean he won’t get another
opportunity — or even a better one.
Morin advises, “Discuss potential
situations your child may encounter,
like a difficult boss, rude customer, or
disgruntled co-worker. Talk about how
your teen might handle those situations
and the importance of acting profession-
ally.” Bottom line: Job experience is a
crucial part of your teen’s development
and will help him garner life-long skills.
So, help him take the plunge!
Morin also suggests that parents
discuss what their teen should do if she
makes a mistake or how she can get help
when she encounters a problem. “Some-
times, young workers don’t want to
admit they’ve messed up, or they don’t
want to ask a question because they fear
that they’ll be fired or look incompe-
tent,” Morin explains. Myrna Beth Haskell is the author of “LI-
ONS and TIGERS and TEENS: Expert
advice and support for the conscientious
parent just like you” (Unlimited Pub-
lishing, LLC). Her work has appeared
in publications across the U.S. as well
as internationally. To learn more, visit
www.myrnahaskell.com.
Volunteer Job Experience
Work experience doesn’t have to be paid experience, particularly if your teen is looking specifically for skill develop-
ment in an area he plans to pursue in college and beyond.
Carole Jabbawy, Ed.D., founder and director of Internship Connection in Newton, MA, says, “With volunteer experi-
ence, teens gain career exposure which will be very helpful in sorting out a college major.”
It’s important for parents to stress to teens that a volunteer job deserves the same motivation and effort as a paid posi-
tion. The following are good matches for those looking for specific experience:
• Future doctors or nurses: hospitals and medical clinics
• Future social workers: homeless shelters, women’s shelters
• Future teachers: Camp counselor-in-training, youth center,
preschool
• Future museum curator or historian: local museum
• Future veterinarian: animal shelters
• Future environmental scientist: park or forest clean-up, com-
munity garden
• Future marketing executive: social media volunteer intern
June 2018 WNY Family 55