How to Interview For A Part-Time Job

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By Shannon Nee
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Congratulations! You've managed to land an interview for a part-time job. Sure, this isn't a big career-move interview, but you'll still be talking with someone who has the power to hire you or shine you on. So take it as seriously as any other job interview. You never know where a part-time job could lead.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

A clean and well-pressed interview outfit, including clean shoes.
A very simple one-page resume done in Word or other resume software.

Step 1

Be Well-Groomed. Never underestimate this step. It's astounding how little care certain interviewees take with their appearance. Be squeaky clean, carefully groom your hair (especially guys--ever hear of a "haircut" or a "part"?), scrub and trim your nails, wear leather shoes and polish them. Pat on a just a whisper of cologne or perfume. Even if it's for a retail store with subversive merchandise, the manager still wants you to smell clean and to see that your black clothes are presentable and your eyebrow ring isn't infected.
Step 2

Be "Baby Bear" On Time. Not late, of course, but not too early, either. A manager is a busy person, and if you're scheduled for 2:00 pm, it's irritating to see you there at 1:45, expectantly waiting. Bide your time elsewhere and stroll in exactly five minutes early. Find a place to sit and look busy with a magazine or deep thoughts. Let the manager interrupt you, not the other way around.
Step 3

Know About The Job. The interviewer will know from your simple one-page resume what your experience is. If you claim to have experience in the line of work you're interviewing for, then you better have the language to back it up. In retail, for example, words and phrases like "customer service," "inventory," "POS," "add-ons," "upselling," etc., better roll off your tongue. If not, study the job description. If you have experience elsewhere, rehearse simple phrases that will tell the interviewer how your skills in that setting could be transferred to this one.
Step 4

Strike The Right Tone. Much of a successful part-time job interview is in being not too much, but not too little. Yes, the manager wants to see your confidence, eye contact, drive to excel ... but not so much that you seem like an over taker. Yes, you want to be relaxed, easy-going, able to take direction, but not so much that you seem like a slacker. So don't make too much nor too little of the opportunities that a part-time position offers.
Step 5

Be Careful About Ambition. A manager knows that most people applying for part-time work are using it simply for income, not as a stepping stone to greater things. Very often, there are no greater things to be had as a part-timer, such as with seasonal work. However, if there is a chance to move up, ask about it carefully. Managers are very leery about giving hope in this way -- it depends on so many factors. But to show such interest, very casual interest, tells the manager that you have the will to commit. And this is a good thing.
Step 6

With Pay, Tread Lightly. Before you arrive for the interview, you should have a general idea of what the company pays for part-time positions. If you don't, then keep your expectations low. Let the interviewer broach the subject. If you're asked, "What kind of pay are you looking for?" Reply, "Oh, the average for a part-time position with this company. What is the starting pay?" If the pay is too low, don't react. Just nod and say, "OK." If you're called for a second interview or an actual hire, you can say, "I would really enjoy working there, but I do need to make more per hour than what we talked about." Yes, there is room for negotiation even with a part-time job.
Step 7

Last But Not Least. Part-timers are notorious for being unreliable--almost as notorious as full-time employees! That's just the way it is. No-shows, call-outs, tardies, slackers, rebels, gossips, even thieves ... the manager of part-timers is often preoccupied with less-than-stellar performances. If you truly are reliable, punctual, hard-working, teachable, open-minded, easy-going, then make it plain. Speak the interviewer's language. Say, "I know part-timers aren't always the most reliable, but I want you to know that I pride myself on my reliability and good work ethic and intend to do my very best." That, my friend, is hard to resist.