What You’ll Need To Land The Job: Practical Job Interview Tips for The Homeless

Before interviewing for the job, the first thing you’ll need to do is make sure you can prove that you are who you say you are and that you can legally work in the United States.

You’ll need to provide your Social Security number.

You’ll also need to prove your identity. You can provide your up-to-date driver’s license, even if the job doesn’t require driving. Or you can provide an official ID card.

You’ll need an address. Find out if you can use General Delivery in your current city, get a P.O. box, use a friend or relative’s address, or other options.

Preparing for the Interview

Research the employer, if possible. Find out what they do, what their products or services are, and who their customers are. Do you know anything about their products or services? Do you know anyone who works for this company?

Learn about the job. What does the job require? Is there anything you do particularly well that fits the job description?

Rehearse. Have someone conduct a mock job interview with you. Practice answering common interview questions and memorize proper responses. Typically, they’ll ask you to tell them something about yourself and describe your strengths and weaknesses.

The CareerOneStop website has a list of common interview questions:

https://www.careeronestop.org/JobSearch/Interview/common-interview-questions.aspx

Think of questions you want to ask. At the end of an interview, the employer will usually ask if there is anything else you’d like to know about the job. Ask questions like, “What would a typical day look like for someone in this position?” and “What are the next steps?”

The American Job Center has resources to help you find a job and prepare for job interviews. Visit https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/AmericanJobCenters/find-american-job-centers.aspx to search for an American Job Center location near you.

Homeless shelters, non-profit organizations, and government agencies for veterans, people with disabilities, and seniors also have resources for preparing for job interviews and other job readiness programs.

Important Links:

CareerOneStop:

https://www.careeronestop.org

Resources for the Homeless:

https://www.1degree.org/

Social Security Administration:

https://www.ssa.gov/

List of Motor Vehicle Departments by State:

https://www.usa.gov/state-motor-vehicle-services

Info About USPS General Delivery:

https://faq.usps.com/s/article/What-is-General-Delivery#:~:text=If%20you%20wish%20to%20pick,office%20without%20letter%2Dcarrier%20service.