Why don't high schools prepare us for job interviews?

I'm worried about applying for jobs because I feel unprepared for interviews. It seems like high schools don't offer much training in this area. Are there any resources I can use to improve my skills?

You're right that many high schools may not explicitly teach job interview skills, and it's understandable to feel unprepared. This could be due to many reasons, for example, high schools often have to meet specific educational criteria, and standardized testing requirements often influence the curriculum. Additionally, high school education is often designed with the goal of preparing students for further education, such as college, rather than directly entering the workforce.

There are, however, many resources available that can help you acquire and improve job interview skills! Your school's career or guidance counselor could be a good start. They can likely offer advice or even conduct practice interviews with you. Also, many communities have local organizations or libraries that offer free workshops on job searching and interview skills.

In addition, there are ample online resources and platforms where you can learn about different aspects of job interviews. Websites often provide free articles and videos on how to succeed in job interviews, including how to dress, how to answer common questions, and how to follow up after the interview.

One example of a specific technique you could learn about is the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), which is often recommended for answering behavioral interview questions. You would describe a Situation you were in, the Task you had to accomplish, the Actions you took, and the Result of those actions.

Remember, the key to a successful interview is preparation. Researching the company and the position you're applying for, preparing thoughtful responses to potential interview questions, and considering questions to ask the interviewer can all make the interview process less intimidating. With practice, you'll become more comfortable with interviews and improve your skills over time. Good luck!