Now that you know more about the laws around working lets take a deeper look into writing your Resume, Applying for that job and Job hunting
Resume/Applications
Before applying for a job it’s always good to have your resume already written as it makes you look like a good candidate. As noted in Everything You Need to Know About the Hiring Process While in High School and Anatomy of a High School Résumé – BigFuture when applying for a job, some jobs require an application or a resume or sometimes both. Applications can either be filled out in paper form or an online version. These applications typically ask for your level of education, work experience, and contact information. Resumes are brief summaries of your knowledge, skills, abilities, experience, education and accomplishments.
How to write a resume
When writing a resume make sure it’s precise and professional. You can find more information at Anatomy of a High School Résumé – BigFuture.
The following bullet points are here to guide you with writing your first resume.
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- A header: The header should contain Name and contact information
- Education: This should have the listed schools that you have attended, graduation dates (if graduated), include special courses or interests (academic honors)
- Skills and Experience: List skills that you have learned or have demonstrated. Put everything in reverse order, also adding start and end dates, list relevant extracurricular activities like clubs or organization leadership positions. Also include accomplishments you have done and not just responsibilities. List awards that you have received.
- Special Skills: List skills that could benefit the school or employer. It could be other languages you speak, computer programs that you know how to manage, or personality traits.
Other resume writing tips
The following listed items are more tips that could help you while you are stuck writing your resume. (Anatomy of a High School Résumé – BigFuture)
- Put most recent experience or schooling at the top. Work your way backwards.
- Make sure everything you included in your resume is relevant and limit your resume to one page.
- It is better to keep everything simple and easy to read.
- Proofread your resume, proofread it yourself and then ask someone else to proofread it and to give their opinions.
- Add newest experience and skills to your resume as you gain more, delete the oldest and least relevant experience from your resume.
Job hunting
It is recommended to speak with your school’s guidance office staff, they should be able to help you with job listings and job search advice. Job hunting may take time but spreading the word that you’re on the job hunt makes the whole process faster. The article Tips for a high school student seeking their first job? | CollegeVine highlights how speaking with friends, family members, teachers, and any mentors can help while looking for job opportunities. Also consider looking at job boards online, in newspapers, or help wanted signs.
Setting up a professional email
According to 13 Job Search Tips for High School Students, it highlights the importance of having an email address so you can be updated. Google aka Gmail offers a free email account as well as many other platforms. When creating an email avoid using goofy, provocative, or unrelated terms. Your email should include your first initial and last name or first and last name. Once you have this email ready, start getting into the habit of checking this email regularly each day. You wouldn’t want to miss out when a hiring manager contacts you or any further updates.
Job searching online and the biggest related search engines
The following websites are job related search engines students should know when applying for jobs virtually. (Top 10 Job Seeking Skills to Teach High School Students)
Come Back next week when I will go over the interview process and provide some interview tips
Resources
https://www.collegevine.com/faq/151081/tips-for-a-high-school-student-seeking-their-first-job
https://www.collegefundinghero.com/blogs/11-job-hunting-tips-for-high-school-students
https://www.chrisscherting.com/post/13-job-search-tips-for-high-school-students
https://www.icevonline.com/blog/top-job-seeking-skills-to-teach-high-school-students
https://www.bgca.org/news-stories/2024/August/interview-tips-for-teens-how-to-be-first-job-ready/
https://www.resumeprofessionalwriters.com/job-interview-tips-for-high-school-students/
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/OC-Whateverystudentshouldknowaboutsummerjobsandtaxes.pdf
