10 JOB INTERVIEWTIPS FOR STUDENTS
Your first job interviews are likely to be exciting and a little
stressful at the same time. Preparation and practice go a long
way to help you make a good impression and calm your nerves.

At most dealerships, business casual is acceptable. In general,that means looking clean and neat from head to toe. Stay awayfrom excesses in scents, makeup or jewelry.

Here are some tips that will set you up to ace your firstCat® dealer interview.

Men: Nice, holeless pants and a clean shirt. If you’re
comfortable in a tie, wear one. If not, you might choose
a collared shirt and jacket.

ARRIVE FOR YOUR INTERVIEW ABOUT 15 MINUTES AHEAD
OF YOUR SCHEDULED TIME.
If you’re unfamiliar with the location, do a test drive and scouting
run. Some dealerships have multiple buildings so you’ll want toknow the address of your interview location, where you can park
and the appropriate entrance to use. Showing up on time is totallywithin your control and demonstrates that you are a punctual andresponsible individual.

LOOK LIKE THE PERSON SOMEONE WOULD WANT TO HIRE.
Clothing and grooming are the first things people will noticeabout you. From a young age, we’re taught “not to judge a bookby its cover.” That said, your appearance provides strangers
with insights into who you might be as a person. Dressing yourbest could only help you make a good first impression on yourinitial interview.

Women: Nice, holeless pants or a skirt with a blouse,or a blouse and jacket combination.

BRING A NOTEPAD, FOLIO OR FOLDER.
These resources give you the chance to take notes , prepopulate
the pages with points you want to raise and jot down questions
you want to ask. If you are interviewing with a team of people,
notepads allow you to write down the interviewers’ names so you
can easily remember them during the course of your interview, fora follow-up meeting or for a thank you note afterward. Folders andfolios are also great holders for any items that the interviewer has
asked you to bring, such as resumes, applications or transcripts.

EVERYONE IS EVALUATING YOU.
From the moment you step out of your car, your presence makes
an impression on every person you encounter at the dealership.

© 2021 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, LET’S DO THE WORK, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Corporate Yellow,” the “Power Edge”
and Cat “Modern Hex” trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.

A receptionist, a salesperson or other staff member may speakwith you before your interview. After you leave, the interviewer
might ask any of those personnel what they thought of you.
With this in mind, it’s always a best practice to acknowledgeeveryone you encounter with eye contact and a smile. Politely
ask questions and thank anyone who assists you. If masks are
required, eye contact and clear speech are essential.

MAKE NOTE OF THE INTERVIEWER’S NAME
AND USE IT DURING THE INTERVIEW.

examples where you achieved positive results through the useof those skills. Remember, your examples don’t necessarily haveto be job experiences, particularly if you’re a recent graduate.
Your interviewer could gain a valuable understanding of yourcharacter through your experience with in-school endeavors,
extracurricular activities, athletics or volunteer efforts. Also,
consider including what you learned from those experiences toshow that you are willing to grow and improve as an employee ofthe dealership.

It’s an acknowledgement of respect and shows that you areactively listening. While you don’t want to overuse their namein a way that feels forced, if you naturally can refer to them byname during the meeting, feel free to do so. The best strategy is
to call them by the name with which they introduced themselves.
If they referred to themselves by their first name, use that. If theyreferred to themselves as Mr./Mrs./Ms., then follow their lead andcall them by their preferred title and last name.

KNOW WHY YOU WANT THE JOB.

YOUR CELL PHONE SHOULD BE OFF.

HAVE AT LEAST ONE QUESTION TO ASK THE INTERVIEWER.

If your phone presents itself as a possible distraction, dealers
will be concerned about your ability to focus on your work should
you be employed there. Even a phone set to vibrate is distracting
for both you and the interviewer. Initial interviews typically lastless than an hour, so your best strategy is to turn off your device
completely for the duration of the meeting.

You might ask about the industries, the customers they serve, thetools available, the training and education that the job entails,or something else entirely. Be genuine and authentic in yourinterest, and make sure your questions relate to the position forwhich you’re interviewing.

DEMONSTRATE POSITIVE ENERGY, A SENSE OF FITNESS AND WELL-BEING.
Non-verbal behavior also communicates things about you. Ratherthan slouching, sit up straight to reflect your confidence andattitude. Maintain a positive tone with your facial expressions andanswers. If you periodically lean forward to listen, this indicatesyou have a genuine interest in what the interviewer has to say.

IDENTIFY TWO OF YOUR STRENGTHS AND BE PREPAREDTO PROVIDE EXAMPLES BEFORE YOUR INTERVIEW.

Whatever attracts you to the job — whether it be hands-on work,
the use of technology, opportunities to operate earthmoving
equipment or something else entirely — you should have a clear
idea of what drew you to the position. Make sure you’re prepared
to explain why you would be a perfect fit for the dealer and why
the dealership would be ideal for you. The higher your interest in
the job, the more likely you are to get an offer.

AFTER YOUR INTERVIEW, FOLLOW UP WITH AN EMAIL, LETTER OR CARD
OFFERING THANKS AND APPRECIATION.
Your note should thank them for giving you the opportunity to sit
for an interview. In addition, a mention of something specific thatwas discussed during your interview is recommended. Be sure tosend the note the day after your interview, so your conversation
remains fresh in their memory. It is always helpful for theinterviewer to be reminded of your positive qualities as they
move forward in their hiring process.

Be sure to review the job description and choose strong skillsof yours that you would be able to apply to the position. Identify

ADAPTED FROM:
www.thebalance.com/job-interview-tips-for-high-school-students-2062238© 2021 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, LET’S DO THE WORK, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Corporate Yellow,” the “Power Edge”
and Cat “Modern Hex” trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.