Part-time job interviews - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

fallsauce · 05-02-2006, 03:56 PM

There's plenty of stuff written on how you should behave at full time interviews, but I haven't found anything on what's expected of a student who's looking for a casual position.

Obviously, some things still hold, like dress well and politeness, but what about questions like: "Have you had any call backs from other places." If you don't, does that make you less appealing because the interviewer might wonder why not, or more appealing because it means there's no competition?

And also, for the "if..." questions, what are they looking for? I'm worried that my answers are too cliched.

Any tips you can give me would be great.

Poppinjay · 05-02-2006, 06:24 PM

I've employed scores of part timers and have never asked if a person has had callbacks from other places. That should be none of the interviewers business. Of course you can't say MYOB, but you can finesse that. If they do ask that, it's easy to turn it to your advantage. Apply to a place that doesn't stipulate no calls on applications. Then call them. After that, any other place you can say, "I've talked to (X), and hope to hear more from some recent applications."

That shows there's interest, however manufactured, and that success is really the only outcome that's entered your mind.

I have the position I have now because I was part time and told my boss that their direct competition was interviewing me for full time. Bing. Full time offer.

Wingless · 05-03-2006, 02:17 PM

My small bit of advice, treat part-time job interviews like serious career interviews - it'll impress the hell out of any boss.

Smooth23 · 05-04-2006, 01:35 PM

I got my current(very full time) job by calling and bugging them every day. I kept getting a generic answer that wasn't yes and wasn't a no. Once I got hired I was told they weren't interested in me, but that i was shaping up to be one of their best employees.

05-02-2006, 03:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
fallsauce Insane	Part-time job interviews There's plenty of stuff written on how you should behave at full time interviews, but I haven't found anything on what's expected of a student who's looking for a casual position. Obviously, some things still hold, like dress well and politeness, but what about questions like: "Have you had any call backs from other places." If you don't, does that make you less appealing because the interviewer might wonder why not, or more appealing because it means there's no competition? And also, for the "if..." questions, what are they looking for? I'm worried that my answers are too cliched. Any tips you can give me would be great. __________________ "Hey little kitty with your tail dragging on the floor You could have a following in every town that you go" Electric Six - I Invented The Night

05-02-2006, 06:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
Poppinjay You had me at hello Location: DC/Coastal VA	I've employed scores of part timers and have never asked if a person has had callbacks from other places. That should be none of the interviewers business. Of course you can't say MYOB, but you can finesse that. If they do ask that, it's easy to turn it to your advantage. Apply to a place that doesn't stipulate no calls on applications. Then call them. After that, any other place you can say, "I've talked to (X), and hope to hear more from some recent applications." That shows there's interest, however manufactured, and that success is really the only outcome that's entered your mind. I have the position I have now because I was part time and told my boss that their direct competition was interviewing me for full time. Bing. Full time offer. __________________ I think the Apocalypse is happening all around us. We go on eating desserts and watching TV. I know I do. I wish we were more capable of sustained passion and sustained resistance. We should be screaming and what we do is gossip. -Lydia Millet

05-03-2006, 02:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
Wingless Psycho Location: Metro Detroit, Mich, USA	My small bit of advice, treat part-time job interviews like serious career interviews - it'll impress the hell out of any boss. __________________ Tommy Nibs is a funny word. So here I am, above palm trees, so straight and tall... You are, smaller getting smaller, but I still see... you. Jimmy Eat World - Goodbye Sky Harbor

05-04-2006, 01:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
Smooth23 Tilted	I got my current(very full time) job by calling and bugging them every day. I kept getting a generic answer that wasn't yes and wasn't a no. Once I got hired I was told they weren't interested in me, but that i was shaping up to be one of their best employees.