Getting A Job
One of the very first "adult" struggles you will face is getting a job. A job is really important, and not just for money. A job will teach you lots of things that will be useful to you as a student, a parent, a friend or really anything you choose to be. Jobs can teach us how to handle immense stress with a time limit, they teach us multitasking skills and perseverance. They teach us that anyone is replaceable and therefore we must be the best we can be.
Getting a job is actually pretty easy, all it takes is perseverance. You usually can't just apply to one place and then get the job immediately. You have to apply EVERYWHERE you'd be ok to work at, and then you have to come back and call to check on your application.
First thing's first though, let's get that resume built:
To Build a Resume
You can find resume template all over the internet by simply searching resume template. If you have Microsoft Word there are templates available for free there. If you do not, there is no problem because all in all a resume needs only a few key things.
-Contact information: Name, phone number, email address, physical address, age.
-References: Past employers, past coworkers and if you have neither, personal references at least 4 years of acquaintance.
-Skills: What can you do well? Can you speak a second language? Can you clean really well? Have you ever been a part of a leadership program or academic club?
-Why do you want to work here? Explain why-aside from money-you want to work here? Do you like this company's product? Their service? Their motto?
So a general sketch of a resume is born. Mine would look something like this:
Sierra Simmons
Born 4-30-95
1-805-555-9583
authorchick13@gmail.com
1000 House Road, Mt. Cool, CA 85993
Prior Experience
Olive Garden (include specific restaurants address and phone number)
Manager- Suzy Hale
Worked from 3-6-02 through 5-8-11
Reason I left: I moved, I quit, Too far, etc.
Michael's (Include address and phone number)
Manager-Torence Howell
Worked from 5-9-11 through 8-3-12
Reason I left: Family issues, school, found a better job etc.
Family Restaurant 101 (address and number)
Manager- Kelly Brisbane
Worked from 2000-July 2009
Reason I left: School, Out of Business, family moved etc.
Personal References
(NOTE: ALWAYS ask before putting someone on a reference)
Riley Green- known for 8 years (include phone number)
Jeremy Klipp- past coworker known for 4 years (include phone number)
Josephine Freeman-writing club teacher known for 3 years (include number)
***You want around 4 references, try to pick people who would say the absolute best about you. Include past coworkers if you can as they can vouch for your work ethic, past teachers work for that too. Family friends are fine, but don't ONLY have family friends and make sure that you've known them a while. Try to avoid having family members as your references unless they were your coworker, or boss.***
Skills
12+ years in customer service
Intermediate French
Multi-tasking
Can sew
Has been in charge of a team before (costuming)
Good on computers
Why Do I want to Work Here
Your company seems to be a fun, functional and hardworking place. I enjoy the company slogan of 'The Customer is Always Right'. I really like fabric and would love the opportunity to work with it. I like working in the food industry because it is fast paced and you get to meet a lot of people.
***Bring up points that will also reflect well on you. For instance, I like to meet people probably means you're good at customer service. Mentioning their slogan or past deeds shows that you did research and are willing tolook into things.***
Those are the basics of the resume. Something like what I've done above would be seen as perfectly acceptable to most places. Try to include something personal so that they can remember your resume easier. Things like: Can sew. Maybe it doesn't apply to the job at hand, but they will remember it.
It can be hard in the beginning when you don't have prior work experience, but don't let that discourage you. You can put a lot of things under past work experience. Baby sitting, garden work for a neighbor, dog walking, theater productions, school leadership programs, etc.
Getting a job is the first step to becoming an adult in most cases. Even if it's at McDonald's, even if it's just one day a week, it is important.
This concludes my first blog post in the series of How Do I Adult? Feel free to email me with questions or concerns or if you have a topic you'd like me to cover. Until then, don't stress you got this!
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