Taco Bell Job Interview First Job

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I have a job interview at taco bell later today and I'm completely freaking out. I have so much anxiety and no idea how to calm myself down. I haven't gotten much sleep and I'm not sure what to wear or how to do my makeup. I'm an 18 year old female and this will be my first job interview ever. Ive been graduated for months and lack social skills, I feel very shy and nervous.

Does anyone have any tips for me, especially on how to feel less presumed and appear confident?

Go in with the expectation that there's a 50/50 chance you'll get the job.

Expect the clichéd script-questions like:
- What would you say is your greatest weakness/strength?
- say something like, my attention to detail, pick up routine easily, processes come easily to me, etc. NEVER self-deprecate.
- Why should we hire you?
- I'm eager to work and gain experience, etc.
- Do you have any questions for me?
- ALWAYS have something to ask, like what is a typical day? what do you look for most in an employee? Keep it positive and job-centric.

Nerves are normal, as are mistakes.
Posture shows a lot, so sit up straight and try (I know it's hard) not to fidget.
Show up in business casual, nothing loud or too form-fitting--black pants and a collared shirt are always a safe bet.
Keep jewelry to a minimum, as that is a no-no in food service.
Don't talk over the interviewer, and keep your responses relavent.

To conclude, even if you botch it, you can learn from any mistakes to do better the next time. Also, Taco Bell, speaking from experience, does not require anything close to perfect social skills. You got to the interview, so you know that you did something right--hold onto that to get you through.

GOOD LUCK!

Everyone who has worked anywhere probably feels the same way you do now. Don;t sweat it; you're in the same boat as everyone else. Who knows; you may find your best friend there.

thanks for the advice!

also, interestingly enough...one of my closest friends does work there i

but I'm still nervous
going to be hard to keep eye contact. I don't want to look like I'm staring.

If you are awkward and/or uncomfortable with eye contact, look at their mouth or their forehead. That way it LOOKS like your doing eye contact, even though you're not. I know it feels like staring, but they are also focused on you, so it's not. I';ve had 60+ jobs, so I've done A LOT of interviews (obviously I am not good at MAINTAINING the job, but I've still gotten through MANY interviews with TERRIBLE social skills). I've always done that trick for eye contact, and generally I don't even look in the direction of people to begin with. It works every time.


P.S. One of my jobs was at Taco Bell...so it is possible for us to "pass" that interview.

I always try to mimic what the interviewer is doing. If he/she looks you in the eye for 3 seconds, repeat that. I always treat it like a game. The longer I make eye contact, the higher my score is. Game over if you realize you're staring.

Also, I don't think it hurts you if you look up or off to the side every now and then, especially if it looks like you are really considering a question. Don't stare off into space, and don't look down too much because that makes you look too timid.

More than anything else, be prepared. That helps me. When I don't anticipate a question, I get lost. Even when I'm at a restaurant and the server says "What sides would you like with that?" I freak out if I haven't thought of that. There are phone apps and websites that have good questions and answers to prepare for. I personally like the iPhone app called Interview Pro. I also tried watching YouTube videos, but after a while they become repetitive. They all say the same things.

Lastly, I've heard some people say that Rescue Remedy helped make them less anxious. I tried that, and it seemed to help a little. It may have been completely 100% psychological for all I know.

Another method, which I sometimes use, is to 'soften' my vision and take in the entire eye slit area. By this, I mean the entire oval around both eyes and also the muscles around both eyes. I am sometimes able to pull this off and sometimes I'm not.

A back up of mine is to then look at the top of the ear and then slightly above and diagonally off in space (I think it is better to look up than down, and it is acceptable to look briefly off in space while formulating an answer to a question).

Black slacks are fine, also khaki slacks are fine, and a cotton shirt with a collar. In general, you want your clothes to be conservative and neat.

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And if possible, take time to treat yourself to something nice after the interview, whether it's a bike ride, or watching a video you've been looking forward to, or something like that.

Number 1: practice with whomever is willing to practice with you. So that when you get the call on short notice, you will be completely prepared.

Occasionally, if you do have to think, say something like: that is a really good question. One formula that I find sometimes effective is, in a customer service situation, say something like... "In customer service situations, I would take the following approach. I would listen to the customer, take down notes, and repeat using other words what they had told me, so that I know that I have the full story. Then I would do some follow up research" (Research being talking with the person whom the customer had first dealt with, or looking up store policy, asking a coworker for help if possible or... whatever background knowledge you need to make the decision. "Then, I would follow through with the customer about what decision has been made. Repeating back to the customer is an IMPORTANT part. People want to know that their story is being told correctly. I have been through 50 something interviews in the last four years, and know this thing.

Lastly, when they ask you about weaknesses, make your weakness something that is not related to the job. And make it technical, and something that you have fixed. So, if you are doing customer service, do not go on and on about poor social skills (even if it is a weakness). Your weakness might then be about not knowing Microsoft Excel. And then, go on to tell the person that you are doing an incredible job of working on that weakness by doing x, y and z.

Remember, interviews are like subway cars -- there will always be another one coming. Be kind to yourself!! ! When they call you back with the news, if you did not get it, ask if there is a possibility to discuss ways you should improve. I find that if people are willing to take the time to talk with me, their advice has generally been valid.

I hope you had good luck with your interview and that you found my advice helpful.