Steps to Employment Finding a Job
Finding a Job
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Finding a job is not always easy and may take some time. It will help you if you have an honest sense of your skills, know what you are (and are not) interested in doing and be willing to work to find a job.
Looking for a job is a full time job and only you can make it happen. |
Prior to beginning your job search consider the following:Congratulations! You got the Job!
Assess Yourself:What do you want to do?
What skills do you have? Think about what you have to offer an employer. Are you a hard worker? What experience do you have that you can tell an employer about? Even if you have not had an official job, you may have had experiences that will impress an employer.
Do you have any volunteer experience? Are you active in any clubs or outside activities? If you find that you don’t have many skills that you can offer an employer, consider Researching and Applying for a Job Training Program.
Do Your Research:Contact family or friends working in jobs that interest you. Most job seekers get their jobs through networking and people they know. Apply for as many jobs as you can. The more jobs you apply to, the better chance you have of being accepted by at least one. Applying for jobs is good experience and may lead to something unexpected. Check out some of the employers listed in the Help Wanted: Youth Employment and Education Resource Guide. In addition to job training programs, the guide lists employers who traditionally hire young people. Be aware of when seasonal employers hire. For example, most retail employers recruit and hire in October for the December holiday season. For the summer, they begin hiring in April and May. Attend a job fair hosted by your local community center or school to meet potential employers and to learn more about job opportunities for youth. Most job fairs take place in March or April.
You may also want to check out some of the more popular employment websites: Craigslist
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Completing a Job Application:Use complete sentences and print clearly and neatly in black ink. Type the application whenever possible. Follow the directions on the application. Fill out the entire application; use N/A (not applicable) if the section does not apply to you Spell Check: Make sure your grammar and spelling are correct. Proof read: Have someone read over your application to make sure it is clear and there are no mistakes. Due Dates and Deadlines: Find out when applications are due—turn your application in by the deadline or earlier! Cover Letter: Send a well-written cover letter with your resume to highlight your personality, skills and experience.
Interviewing:Research the company using the library, internet or company literature before going to your interview. Arrive early: 10 minutes before start time and know the exact time and location of your interview. Presentation: Make sure that you do not have gum or candy in your mouth and turn off your cell phone. Prepare for the interview—think about questions they might ask and how you want to answer them. Use complete sentences during the interview. Attitude: Show a positive, enthusiastic attitude to let them know you are excited about the job/program! What to Take to Your Interview: 2 copies of your résumé. Dress for Success: No jeans, shorts, hats, or t-shirts for your interview. Dress conservatively: Khakis, slacks, dark suits, long skirts and dresses, polo shirts, collared shirts, are all acceptable attire to wear. Wear appropriate, closed-toe shoes and no sneakers. Be sure to go to the interview alone.
Follow-Up:Send a Thank You Note: Ask your interviewer for his/her business card and follow up with a thank you note the next day saying how much you enjoyed meeting him/her. You can send the thank you note to the address on the business card. Follow-Up: If you have not heard from your potential employer in two weeks after your interview, you can follow-up with them by phone or email and politely ask them about the status of your application.
Congratulations! You Got the Job! Now What?After securing your job, make sure to follow instructions carefully to obtain your Work Permit and other necessary documents. Your employer will need to fill out a section of your Worker’s Permit. For a list of documents you need for employment visit our Documents for Employment page. Schedule: Work out with your employer your schedule. Be Prompt: Arrive on time or early every day, properly dressed for your new job! |
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Finding a Job
Finding a job is not always easy and may take some time. It will help you if you have an honest sense of your skills, know what you are (and are not) interested in doing and be willing to work to find a job. Looking for a job is a full time job and only you can make it happen