by Sherry Obenauer

Created on: April 19, 2007   Last Updated: May 20, 2007

How to Get a Great Job

Recent statistics suggest an employment rate of over 60% for high school students and this number is increasing. With way too many things that need to be bought and fun things to do, the weekly parental allowance just doesn't cut it anymore. So, in order to keep up with the yearly changing fashions, musical genre, and movie tickets, teens have to get a job. Unfortunately, because of work inexperience and lack of self-marketing knowledge, most teens end up working at any number of retail outlets or fast food restaurants. Some even have paper routes or babysit. A rare few students get a decent job working in Mom's or Dad's company, but the majority of teens work hard for minimum wages and often on weekends or evenings. This really sucks for dating.

You can get a great job! All you have to do is learn how to market yourself. This means making a resume employers will actually want to read, knowing how to answer interview questions and present yourself, and where to look for employment. The majority of adults don't have any clue how to market themselves and so do work they don't enjoy or bounce from job to job. After reading this article, you'll be able to teach your parents something for a change! Plus, you'll be able to use these skills now and after you complete post-secondary education if you choose to do so later on.

Resume

1. Always use high quality white 8.5 x 11 paper with typed black 12-point lettering. Avoid using colored paper or type and pictures or drawings. Type on one side only and no longer than 3 pages.
2. Place your name, address, phone number, and email address at the top of the first page. Make you name several fonts larger and bold so it stands out.
3. Use headers in bold to separate resume sections (e.g., education, accomplishments, work history, etc.).
4. If you have more education than experience, list your education first and vice versa.
5. Given your lack of work experience, list your accomplishments. Accomplishments can be personal, educational, physical, or occupational. State such accomplishments in terms of the skill used (developed, wrote, created), the audience (students, agency, clients), and the result (improved learning, increased sales, enhanced team performance). For example, "Wrote and edited articles for high school newsletter which informed students of upcoming events." "Counseled adolescents which improved their emotional health." "Promoted to captain on community basketball team and enhanced team cohesion."
6.

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