Getting into the Job Market

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Getting into the Job Market

When you apply for a job, you are competing against other people for a position. You will be evaluated on a number of factors. For example, employers will look at your work history. They may look at your education if you are applying for a skilled position. Do you have references? You will need people who can attest to your work ethic, your experience, and your skills. Your presentation also matters to employers. If you are well groomed and well dressed, with good speech, employers will consider those qualities in your favor.

Some cities might have employment agencies that have career counselors who can help you write a resume, develop job skills, and plan for a career. If you live in a very small city, you might not have such an option. Here are a few other ideas that people find helpful:

Find part-time work or internships

• Teachers and counselors. They may be able to identify some internship experiences because they are the first people some professionals go to when looking for youth workers.
• Grocery stores, retail stores, and restaurants. Many mall stores or standalone retailers hire high school students. Apply to these jobs to get a good first work experience.
• Look online. The job market has already moved to the Internet. Sites like Snagajob.com, Monster.com, and Careerbuilder.com let you upload your resume and get matches for jobs. Snagajob even has a category for teen jobs that list lots of companies hiring in the area for teens.
• Create a LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn is a Website created for professional networking. You may find networking helpful for connecting with professionals who can lead to work opportunities, especially as you get older. You must be at least 14 to create a LinkedIn account.

Search for a job or create your own job

Make a list of things that you are great at doing. Are you good at hair styling? Do you like babysitting? Do you rake or mow lawns? Can you write for long periods and do it well? Are you a fix-it person when things break down? Do you love to cook for other people? These are all good indicators of careers you may be suited for. Things that you like to do for free can point you toward jobs that will pay you to do these things. In time, you might even find that you want to go into business for yourself and become your own boss.

Think of ways to get income from those small ventures. Also, think of the resources mentioned above and places in your neighborhood. Where can you apply for a job in the next 30 days?

Job interview tips for teens

If the job you are applying for has a specific job description, review it before your interview and think of examples and experiences that qualify you for the position. If you are applying for a position in retail or food services, think of experiences where you spent time interacting and communicating with a variety of people.

Draw from school events and volunteer activities if you lack work experience. Being prepared will ensure that you provide your strongest and most relevant response to your interview questions.

Mock interview exercise

If possible, have someone conduct a practice interview with you so you feel more comfortable answering questions about yourself. Try these mock interview questions, and add extra ones as you think of them:

1. Why are you interested in our company?
2. How has school prepared you for working for us?
3. Why should we hire you?
4. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
5. What do you think it takes to be successful in this position?
6. How would you describe your ability to work as a team member?
7. What has been your most rewarding accomplishment?
8. Have you ever had difficulty with a teacher/coach/teammate/co-worker/supervisor?
9. How did you handle it?
10. Give me an example of how you have been responsible for something important.
11. Describe a situation where you made a mistake that affected other people, whether you were able to fix the mistake, and what steps you took.

Make your resume

The job you are applying for may or may not require a resume. A resume is a document that presents your work history, educational history, grade-point average, skills, and other relevant activity related to work. Some employers will ask for your resume along with your employment application. If you do not have a resume, it is a good idea to make one, even if you don’t have a lot of work experience. If you don’t have work experience, list your volunteer work experience, after-school activities, or other things you can relate to the job you are applying for. Employers will notice those.

Clean up your online life

Employers look at personal profiles on social media. Maintain a professional look on sites like Facebook and Twitter. Make sure you have, or create, a professional email address to provide on your contact information. Your email should contain a recognizable version of your name with no inappropriate additions.

Dressing for the interview

Your attire is one of the first things your interviewer will notice about you. You want your outfit to convey your ability to perform the job. Make sure your clothing is clean and your general appearance tidy and put together. Put together a plain two-pocket folder (blue or black) with 2–3 copies of your resume and list of references to carry with you to the interview. It helps complete the image of someone prepared and ready to work. Plus, it is handy to have copies of your documents if the interviewers ask for them.

During the interview

Firmly shake your interviewer’s hand and introduce yourself. Try to relax and be yourself. Be confident in your abilities. Make eye contact. Try to make your responses clear and to the point, and always focus on answering the question they asked you.

Sit up in your chair, do not lean forward onto the table, or slouch back into your seat. At the end of the interview, shake their hand again and thank them for their time, and restate your interest in working for them. Some companies may ask if you have questions at the conclusion of the interview. Have at least one question ready to ask. Here are some ideas for questions to ask:

• What is your favorite part about working for this company?
• Can you describe what a typical day in this position would be like?
• What is something you wish someone had told you before you started working here?
• How would you describe the organizational culture/working environment?
• What opportunities are there to train/gain experience in this position?
• What have previous people in this position gone on to do?

Note: Never ask about salary or time off during the interview unless the interviewer brings it up!

And that’s it. Good luck!