First job interview questions and answers for teens: restaurant and retail edition

A first job interview at a restaurant or store usually lasts ten to twenty minutes and covers the same ten questions: yourself, why here, availability, a rude customer, teamwork, a weakness, a mistake, school and work, your questions, and your start date. Below is each question with a sample answer you can adapt, plus what to wear and bring.

How a first job interview actually works

Managers at quick service restaurants, grocery stores and mall retailers interview many teenagers a year and are not trying to trick you. They are checking that you can hold a conversation, that your availability covers their busy shifts, and that you will show up on time. Many interviews happen at a dining room table or the back of the store, and some chains run short group interviews.

The 10 questions, with sample answers

1. Tell me about yourself

Thirty seconds, pointed at the job. "I'm in Grade 11 at a high school a few blocks from here. I play on the volleyball team, which means I'm used to showing up on time and working with a group, and I've been babysitting for two families for a year. I'm looking for my first real job where I can learn to work with customers."

2. Why do you want to work here?

Be specific about this place. "I come here with my friends after school and the staff always seem to get along. I want to learn how a busy kitchen works, and this location is a ten minute walk from my school so I can be reliable for after school shifts."

3. What is your availability?

Be exact and generous. "I can work weekdays from 4 pm to 9 pm except Wednesdays, and all day Saturday and Sunday. During exams in January and June I'd need to drop to two shifts a week, and I'm fully open over summer break."

4. How would you handle a rude or upset customer?

Show calm. "I'd listen without interrupting, apologize for the problem even if it wasn't my fault, and fix what I can, like remaking an order. If they were still upset or wanted a refund I'd get my manager, because I know that's above what I can decide on my own."

5. Describe a time you worked as part of a team

Use school, sports or volunteering. "For our school's food drive I was on a team of six. I organized the pickup schedule in a shared spreadsheet so nobody double booked, and we collected more than the year before."

6. What is a weakness you are working on?

Pick something real and small, then the fix. "I can be quiet when I'm new somewhere. I've worked on it by volunteering to be the one who greets people at school events, and I'd want to be put on the counter early so I get past that quickly."

7. What would you do if you made a mistake, like giving the wrong change?

Managers want honesty. "I'd tell my supervisor right away rather than hoping nobody noticed, apologize to the customer if they were still there, and ask what the process is so I don't repeat it."

8. How will you balance school and work?

Prove you have a plan. "I do homework in my spare period and right after school on the days I'm not working. If my marks drop I'll cut back a shift, and I'd tell you two weeks ahead."

9. Do you have any questions for me?

Always ask two. Good ones: "What does training look like for the first week?" and "How far ahead are schedules posted?" The wage is already on every YouthBoard listing, so you only need to confirm it.

10. When can you start?

"As soon as you need me. I already have my SIN and my parents have signed the consent form, so I could do training this week." If you still need a SIN, say so and read the guide to getting a SIN as a teenager.

What to wear

Dress one step above what the staff wear on shift: clean dark jeans or chinos, a plain collared shirt or neat sweater, and closed toe shoes. For a clothing retailer, wear something close to what they sell, in neutral colours. Skip hats, graphic hoodies, strong fragrance and gym wear. Tie back long hair for food service, because the manager is picturing you handling food.

What to bring

• Two printed copies of your resume, even if you applied online. Build one with the free Resume Builder.
• A pen and notebook with your availability written out by day.
• Names and numbers of two references, such as a coach or teacher, with their permission.
• Your memorized Social Insurance Number and any certificates such as first aid or food handling.
• Your parent's signed consent or Young Worker Readiness Certificate if your province requires one; the minimum working age by province table lists which do.

Before and after the interview

Arrive ten minutes early. Greet whoever is at the counter, say you have an interview with the manager, and wait where they tell you. Short clear answers beat long ones; two or three sentences is plenty for most questions.

Within a day, send a two line thank you if the manager gave you a contact. If you hear nothing in a week, call or drop in once. Keep applying elsewhere until you have a start date in writing. The first job with no experience guide covers how to run that search, and the Campus Atlas shows the live openings near your school so your next interview is already lined up.

Browse live youth jobs on YouthBoard (free, wages shown on every listing).

Frequently asked questions

What questions do they ask in a first job interview for teens?

Expect ten standard questions: tell me about yourself, why you want this job, your availability, how you handle a rude customer, a teamwork example, a weakness, how you would deal with a mistake, how you balance school and work, whether you have questions, and when you can start. Prepare short answers for each.

What should a 16 year old wear to a job interview?

One step above the staff uniform: clean dark jeans or chinos, a plain collared shirt or neat sweater, and closed toe shoes. For a clothing store, wear something similar to what they sell in neutral colours. Avoid hats, graphic hoodies, gym clothes and strong fragrance, and tie back long hair for food service.

What should I bring to my first job interview?

Two printed copies of your resume, a pen and notebook with your weekly availability written out, contact details for two references, your memorized Social Insurance Number, any certificates such as first aid or food handling, and a parent's consent form or readiness certificate if your province requires one for your age.

How do I answer "tell me about yourself" with no work experience?

Give a thirty second answer in three parts: your grade and school, one or two activities that show reliability and teamwork such as a sport, club, volunteering or babysitting, and one sentence on why you want this particular job. Managers hiring teenagers expect no work history and listen for confidence and clarity.

Sources

• Apply for a Social Insurance Number, Government of Canada
• Young Worker Readiness Certificate Course, Government of Saskatchewan

Disclaimer

This article is general information for young job seekers, not legal, financial or employment advice. Minimum wages, minimum working ages, hours limits and program rules change, often on April 1 or October 1, and they differ by province and territory. Always confirm the current rules with your provincial or territorial government, the employment standards office, or the relevant federal department before relying on them. YouthBoard makes every effort to keep articles accurate, but they may contain errors or be out of date, and we accept no liability for any loss or decision made based on this content. If you spot something wrong, tell us and we will fix it.