The Dreaded Interview

As graduates and teenagers edge toward the end of school and enjoy the summer job market there are tons of tips of winning the dream job after a nervous interview. I shall offer my tips of the info I would give my niece.
Guidelines for Job Interviews:
1 What Competitive Wages Mean: Associates are not paid the same and the company tries to pay you as little as possible. Pay varies by department, status (like manager versus associate), and experience. At my first retail job after college (age 22), I was paid the same as the 16-year-old hired 2 months after me. Then another 16-year-old hired a month before me in another section was paid $1 more than me. At my current job, a coworker was furious when he learned the new guy is paid more than him.
2 What Train on the Job means: Crash courses, so be ready to take notes so it only has to be explained to you once.
3 Starting/beginning pay sucks. Get use to it.
4 Resumes are sometimes necessary while other times are not, depending what kind of job you are seeking. But are a good guide for filling out applications.
5 All bosses interviewing candidates want someone who is punctual, do their job without arguing, friendly with other coworkers, willing to ask for help and admit mistakes with apologies, quick learner, and willing to work on days off.
6 Put your best foot forward. Show up early. Tuck your shirt in. Firm handshake displays confidence (word of caution: Many women I met barely touch the tips of my fingers when I extended my hand while many men grabbed it firmly). Smile. Sit up straight. Sound eager to work to gain experience to go up in the company. And absolutely no lying. Be honest by including your assets, not liabilities. People who are found out lying on their application are fired. Dress to impress, but don't overdo it. Suits for business interviews. Dress pants and dress shirt for sales interviews. Natural make-up. No 5 o'clock shadow. No more than 5 pieces of jewelry. No scuffed up dress shoes. Image is everything, look good.
7 Bosses wish to discuss wages last. It is usually the first question before someone fills out an application.
8 Trick questions: Why do you want to work here? What didn't you like about your last job? Don't bitch on these questions. Like a teacher, give it a positive spin. Instead of you hated management, say you could not work the hours they wished for you. Instead of you looking for better pay, say you are saving for something. After graduating college, I said to my manager that I wished to work there because I have student loans to pay off and get tired of sitting at home all day. She smiled. She said, Everybody needs money.
9 Another tricky question is: Do you think people who have friends or family working here have an advantage to gaining employment? I gave a great answer by saying a family member can get you in the door, but once there you are on your own. My manager was impressed.
10 If you know any words in a foreign language, write that down on the application. Even if you are not fluent and can only speak rudimentary sentences, you are a step ahead of those who know no foreign words. That is how I got the job I have now. In the interview, I did explain I was not fluent in any of the languages I listed, but could learn more words if necessary. Music to my manager's ears.
11 Never use the word combo Hard Worker. Too overused and too wide definition. Use fast learner, punctual, eager to learn, responsible, reliable, get things done, good at ... You get the idea.
12 Don't believe that "We are just a happy family here" line. Dysfunctional family with wimpy manager describes that Happy Family better.
13 Remember bosses are not teens who understand you, they are adults who are running a business. They don't want to hire someone who requires a babysitter to make sure you are doing your job and not talking on phone all day to your friends. They pay you to work, not socialize and shop.
Can't think of anymore. Post later. Bye!