Heading into the interview for your first summer job? Here's how to prepare, how to dress, how to answer the common questions — and what the boss is NOT allowed to ask you about.
You've got an email or a call: "We'd like you to come in for an interview." Your heart jumps. It's your first job interview — or at least the first one that counts. What do you say? What do you wear? What if they ask something you can't answer?
Breathe. Summer job interviews are not meant to be scary, and people who interview for summer jobs know most candidates are first-timers. This guide gives you what you actually need to know.
Bosses who hire summer staff are used to nervous candidates. UngInfo puts it plainly: it doesn't matter if your voice wavers, your hands shake, or you sweat a bit. It just shows you want the job.
If you're nervous enough that it's hard, say so: "I'm a bit nervous, this is my first interview." 99% of interviewers will smile and soften. Honesty beats every trick.
When a café or shop manager reads summer job applications, they've already accepted that you probably haven't worked before. What they're looking for is four simple things:
All four you can show in the interview, without a single previous job on your CV.
Look them up online. Check the website. If it's a shop or café you've been to, think about what worked well and what was different about it. You don't need to know their history, but you need to be able to answer: "Why did you apply here?"
A good answer is concrete:
"I've been a regular here for two years, and I like the atmosphere in the morning — people seem happy at work."
A bad answer is generic:
"I need a summer job and you're nearby."
One of these almost always comes up:
Write the answers down. Don't read them out during the interview, but writing them helps you remember.
Shortcut: If you sent the application through jobbjobb, there's a button called "Generate prep" on your application. Click it and you'll get a list of questions you're likely to be asked — with suggested answers based on what you've written about yourself. You don't have to use the answers word for word, but it's a good way to know what to think through.
Stand in front of the mirror, or ask mum, dad, a sibling, or a friend. You'll feel silly the first few times — that's the whole point. After three rounds you sound steady and calm, not nervous and choppy.
This is the question that scares people most. The trick: don't answer with a quality, answer with an example.
Bad:
"I'm structured and responsible."
(Who isn't? The sentence disappears immediately.)
Good:
"I'm the team manager for our handball team. That means I check that all kits are ready before a match, send out times on Spond, and keep track of who's paid the club fee. We're 14 players, and it works because I'm careful with details."
You've just shown responsibility, structure, and reliability — without using the words. That's vastly better than a list of adjectives.
Other examples that work:
NAV recommends adapting your outfit to the job you're applying for. You don't need a suit and tie. You need:
Hint: look at the staff at the company next time you stop by. Does Café Sara wear T-shirts and jeans? Then clean jeans and a tidy t-shirt or shirt are perfect. Does the hotel have uniforms? Then dress a little nicer than everyday clothes.
This is something few young people know, and it's important: in Norway there are several questions an employer is not allowed to ask. The Equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombud and NAV list them:
If you get such a question, you can say "I don't feel like answering that" without it affecting the evaluation. If something concretely discriminatory happens, you can later file a complaint with the Anti-Discrimination Tribunal.
You have the right to know this, even when you're 16.
Towards the end comes "do you have any questions for us?". Saying "no" is the most common, and the worst, answer. Have at least one question ready:
It shows you're thinking ahead.
If you're under 18, you have some extra rights worth knowing — both in the interview and once you have the job:
You can find it all on the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority's pages for young workers. If your boss tries to push you outside these rules — even a friendly boss — you have the right to say no.
Send a short thank-you message the same evening or the next day. An SMS works fine for a small local business. Write something like:
Hi [name], thanks for the chat today. I'm still very motivated for the summer job, and have my fingers crossed to hear from you. Best, [name]
It takes two minutes, and you'll be remembered.
The hardest part of going to your first interview is knowing what's worth mentioning from your life — and how to phrase it. That's what jobbjobb is built for.
For each application you write with us, you can hit "Generate prep" and get:
You don't need to memorise the answers. The idea is that you use them as a starting point, make them your own, and practise out loud. That's the easiest way to walk into your first interview and sound like you've done it before.
Related:
How long does a summer job interview last? Most summer job interviews run between 15 and 30 minutes. Local shops, cafés, and hotels often run short rounds with several candidates back to back. Be ready to sell yourself quickly, and don't be surprised if it goes faster than you expected.
What should I wear? Clean clothes you feel comfortable in. You don't need a suit, but don't show up in sportswear, dirty clothes, or with a cap on. Check what the staff at the shop/café are wearing — that's a good hint.
What do I say when I've never worked before? You've done more than you think. School, sports, volunteering, babysitting, dugnad — it all counts. Pick one concrete example that shows you're reliable or responsible, and tie it to the job you're applying for.
Is the boss allowed to ask about anything? No. The employer is not allowed to ask about religion, political views, sexual orientation, health (unless it's directly relevant to the job), or whether you plan to have children. You're allowed to say "I'd rather not answer that" without it affecting the hire. See LDO's page on discriminatory questions.
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