College & Career Center

Tips for Getting a Job

Want a car?  Need more clothes?  Want to be able to take your boyfriend/girlfriend out on a date?  Saving up for college?  Sometimes an allowance is just not enough.  While landing a job as a teen can be challenging, it isn't impossible.  Even though many companies look for experience, THE key to getting the job is to sell yourself.

 

Start Researching

Find organizations and other places that you know pay teens to work. Good places to check are government departments and nonprofit organizations such as park and recreation departments, zoos, museums, camps, and hospitals.  You are not going to be the executive director of any job. Start out small and easy, retail and food industry jobs are probably the easiest to obtain.

 

Get the Word Out      

                                                                 

You can post flyers in your neighborhood detailing jobs that you can do, such as lawn mowing, babysitting, or dog-walking. You can also post your information on a website or job board, but beware of giving out personal information until you trust the other person. Post 3 x 5 cards at local stores and other places with notice-boards telling of the services you're willing to do. 

 

Use Your Connections    

                                                        

Talk to friends and family about any paying jobs they might know of, and follow through.

 

Volunteer    

                                                                                                  

Sometimes, the best way to get a paying job is to begin as a volunteer and work your way up. You may have to give some of your time for free to make money in the long run. Treat your volunteer work as if it were a paying job -- get there on time, call as soon as you know you can't come in or are going to be late. Listen and learn about the organization. Do such a good job they learn to rely on you.

 

Make a Resume     

                                                                        

Even if most jobs you apply for don't ask for a resume, it's a good exercise, and it's useful to have your work history and education details all written out in one place. It makes filling out applications much easier.

 

Apply Early and Apply Often  

                                                            

The most important key to getting jobs with these places is to apply as soon as you hear about jobs. Always be on the lookout--sometimes recruitment starts as early as February or March for summer jobs.

 

Go to an Interview 

                                                                             

One of the most often asked questions is: Why do you feel you are qualified for this job? Let them know how positive you are, always willing to help out, and go out of your way for special requests. When asked any experience you may have tell them about your volunteer work at school and within the community.  Do you know how to use a computer? How about the Internet, Word, Outlook or email? Do you know how to use a fax machine, copy machine? Can you file, sort by alphabetical order, name order, date order. Believe it or not it’s all relevant.

A cover letter introduces you to an employer through a personalized explanation of your qualifications and interest in a position. While a resume shares the technical details of your skills and work experience, a cover letter gives insight into your soft skills , attitude and motivations.

 

High School Cover Letters and Resumes

High School Resume Sample/Template

Best Job Interviewing Tips

Interview Attire 

   

The most important rule for teen interviewing is to dress appropriately.  Unfortunately, the clothes you might wear every day to the mall, or out with friends, usually aren't suitable for an interview.

 

How to Dress for an Interview video

 

Teen Interview Questions

Review typical teen interview questions and answers and practice your responses before you go. Ask a family member or friend to ask you some questions, so you can practice your answers. 

 

 Dos and Don't of Job Interviews video

 

Be Prepared                                                                         

Don't just show up for the interview. The more information you have prepared in advance, the better impression you will make on the interviewer.  For any job interview, it's important to impress the interviewer from the moment you arrive. Learn what you should and should not do during the interview so you can avoid embarrassing faux pas! Take the time to get references before you start looking for a job. Bring the following with you to the interview:

 

• Completed job application (if the employer doesn't have it already)

• References

• Resume

• Note pad / pen

Be Polite

It's essential to have good manners when interviewing. Shake your interviewer's hand. Don't sit until you are invited to. Don't slouch in your chair. Don't use slang or swear. Be polite, positive, and professional throughout the interview.

Know Your Schedule

Know what days and hours you are available to work. The employer will ask. Flexibility is definitely an asset, because the more time you are available, the easier it is for the employer to set a work schedule. Also know how you are going to get to and from work, if you don't drive.

 

Be on Time

Arrive at the interview site a few minutes early. If you're not sure where to go, get directions ahead of time. If you don't have a driver's license, make sure you have a ride.

 

Go on Your Own                                                   

If your mom or dad brings for you an interview, don't bring them into the interview room with you. Go by yourself. It's important that you speak for yourself and connect with the interviewer, without someone to assist you.

 Send a Thank You Letter/Email       

Take a few minutes to thank the person who interviewed you. If you have an email address, send an email thank you note, otherwise send a paper note thanking the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you.

                                                   

Sample Job Interview Thank You Letter 

It's always important to say thank you after a job interview.  It's also important to thank everyone you interviewed with. Here are some tips on who you should thank and the best way to thank them:
 

Act Fast

Plan to send out your thank you letters as soon as possible (preferably within 24 hours) after your interview.  If time is of the essence say thank you by email or phone.

 

Make an Impression

According to the York Technical Institute less than 4% of applicants send thank you notes, so, use your letter as a way to stand out from the crowd and make a good impression.

 

What You Didn't Say

If there was something that you wish you had mentioned during the interview, here's your chance to say it by including it in your thank you letter.

 

Thank You Letter Basics

Thank you letters can be handwritten, typed or sent via email.  Each thank you letter should include a thank you for the interview, your interest in the jobs, your qualifications and skills, and a final thank you.

 

Short and Simple

Keep your thank you letters short and simple, but, do use the letter to reiterate your interest in the job, your enthusiasm for the company and to sell yourself as the ideal candidate.

 

Proof Your Letter

Spell check and proof your thank you letter. Then ask someone else to proof it for you. That way you will be sure it's perfect.

These are the handouts used during the Spring 2023 Job Hunt Workshop provided by our College and Career Center volunteers.

Job hunt handouts