Teens Work Toward Landing a Job

Slouched in his chair, the 14-year-old fidgeted nervously and avoided eye contact while a prospective employer grilled him with questions.

Juan Navarro would have been turned down for the job, but his interview--his first--was only practice.

On his second try, the teen improved. He sat upright at a 90-degree angle and talked to his interviewer face to face.

Fourteen of his peers, all participants of an after-school tutoring program in La Habra called Rosie’s Garage, had similar experiences.

The recent mock interviews at the Veterans Memorial Hall were part of a lesson on how to get a job.

A team of corporate managers from Lucky stores throughout Southern California conducted the workshop, which they plan to repeat for other teens throughout the state.

About 20 team members of Lucky’s Hispanic Management Group offered a number of job interview tips and handed out applications.

They talked about attire, posture and body language and advised the teenagers to completely answer all questions on their applications.

The students also were advised to show enthusiasm, extend a handshake, be clear and articulate and express gratitude.

“I learned that you have to have good posture and enunciate--don’t use slang,” Juan said. “I think I’m ready to look for a job now, but I’m not old enough yet.”

David R. Riesgo, who manages an Alhambra Lucky store, said, “We’re getting them ready early so they will be prepared, whether they go to work for Lucky or Lockheed or Kmart.”

Carolina Moreno, 16, said she plans to apply for a summer job as a floral clerk at a grocery store.

After Carolina’s second mock interview, market manager Debbie Romero told her: “Anybody would be lucky to have you as an employee. And you’ve got to go in with that attitude.”