As a recent high school or college graduate now in search of a full time job you must do all you can to standout among potential employers. Among your tools is your resume. Keep in mind that a good resume needs to be accompanied by great cover letter. Every day millions of teenagers and young adults submit their resumes to prospective employers, hoping to land their dream job. But, most of those resumes either end up in the trash bin or filed away for some “future use.” Only a very small percentage of applicants actually have resumes that catch the attention of their would-be employers. Why is that? What is it that makes the difference between having your resume noticed and having it discarded? Simple, it’s the cover letter that gets the attention of those in the position to offer you a position. [Read more...]
Don’t Be The Cubicle Worker Everyone Dislikes
As a teen or young adult you may find yourself in a job where you are working in a business which encompasses cubicles. These small spaces are divided into office environments with very little privacy. It becomes a land where there is a lot of noise and many distractions. It is a very stressful situation that can be made worse by the way some people act. [Read more...]
Job Search and Interview Tips For the Teen and Young Adult
Looking for and applying for a career or job position is not one that most teens or young adults eagerly take on. It’s always stressful to some degree and often unsuccessful at first. However there are some guidelines and pointers that always help in this particular quest. [Read more...]
Proper Meeting Conduct – Meeting Manners
As a teen, recent grad or young adults in a new job or career you are going to be faced with attending occasional or regular business meetings. As your responsibilities increase you may be the person organizing and leading some of these meetings. Your conduct at these meetings is something that leaves you to open scrutiny by your superiors, peers and subordinates as well as people external to your organization. The way you are perceived by your meeting manners can play a crucial role in your future success. Here are a few tips that will help you demonstrate that you are success oriented.
1. Go Prepared
Read the meeting agenda before attending the meeting. Bring along any materials that are relevant to the agenda and a note pad or your laptop with you to take relevant notes.
If you called for the meeting, inform the attendees of the objectives of the meeting and the agenda. Make sure that you give sufficient notice of the meeting.
2. Focus On The Meeting’s Objectives
Meetings have a tendency to go on and on unless someone keeps it on track. If you are the meeting facilitator, then keep the meeting on track if it steers off the objectives and agenda.
Even if you are not the facilitator, gently speak up and highlight the objectives to help get the meeting back on track.
3. Be Punctual
Besides being rude, it is inconsiderate to arrive late for meetings. You may miss some important discussions and decisions that could have been made before you arrived.
If you are facilitating the meeting, a number of people would have wasted their time and the meeting time will be shorter.
4. Pay Attention
It has now become fashionable to attend to email on the notebook during meetings. By not paying attention, you may miss some important points or even not be aware that you have been assigned some activity.
5. Set Your Mobile Phone To “Silent” Mode
A mobile phone ringing during a meeting is disturbing. Set it to “silent” mode and refrain from taking calls or sending text messages unless they are very urgent.
6. Do Not Interrupt
Wait for the person who is speaking to finish before making your comments or asking any questions. If you think that you might forget it, write it down in your notepad.
7. Do Not Criticize Ideas
Especially at brainstorming or creative meetings, do not criticize ideas. Diplomatically, put forward your differing opinions.
8. Complete The Meeting On Time
If you are facilitating the meeting, manage the meeting so that it completes on time. People may leave the meeting if it runs over time and you may not have achieved your objectives.
Your meeting manners will show your managers that you know how to conduct yourself professionally and achieve results. This will also impress your clients when attending meetings with them. Your next career step could well be in another organization based on your exemplary meeting manners.
Fighting Stress in Your Career and Life
As a teen or recent graduate that is working at a new job or preparing to start a new career we may find ourselves fighting stress. From personal experience I can tell you that stress is something that each of us will face. Stress is part of life and as young adults we may find ourselves facing it for the first time on a job. In reality though each of us has had a lot of experience with stress in school, dating and our personal life and we have generally found ways to work through it. When it comes to stress on the job we need to look for ways of overcoming it just as we do in other parts of our life. Without doing so we will find that it affects our social life, home life and health.
Feeling empowered in the job you are doing is certainly one way of reducing stress but it is not the only way. Lets take a look at some of the ways of reducing stress on the job. By doing so we will find that our outlook on life will be greatly improved along with our energy.
1. Love Your Job
This is easy to say but do many people find that they really love their job once the honeymoon period is over? Actually you may be surprised to learn that many people do! You may have had a parent or grandparent that started a job or career as a young person and went on to retire from the same company 30 years later. In today’s society that seems to be less common yet it does occur. While we may not choose to follow in their footsteps we can often take a lesson from them and one of those lessons is to learn what they did to love their job!
It is highly likely that the person that stayed in the same career for many years either loved their job from the time they started it as a teen or young adult, or the job grew on them and they learned to love it or they changed jobs and found one they loved and stuck with it.
If you decide to remain at your current job, then find reasons why you are happy about it. The most basic of this will be that it helps you pay your bills. Focus on the few things you find that you like about the job. In the meanwhile, look out for other jobs.
Avoid focusing on things that upset you. If you actually list these out, you may find that there are only a few that look like many because you focus on them.
2. Effectively Communicating
If you are unhappy because of how the work gets done in the office, then communicate effectively with your peers and boss on how things can be done better.
Emphasis is on being effective in the communication. Complaining and griping will only irritate your co-workers and boss. Instead, think of ways to improve and discuss these with the others. Besides being better accepted, you will soon find that you actually enjoy what you do.
3. Mix With The Right People
Choose to mix with people who are positive and focus on results. Stay away from those who are not happy about a lot of things and have a tendency to complain.
Work with people who want to achieve results and find ways of getting the job done better. Contribute your own ideas and take ownership of areas that you are responsible for.
4. Develop Your Skills
Enhance on your current skills and start picking up new ones that will help you in your job.
Think about your long term career and decide on the skills that you need to develop. This will help you decide which are the skills and competencies that you need to work on.
Doing this will give you a target to go after and a purpose in your life. As you keep improving, you will find achieving happiness becomes easier as you get a great sense of fulfillment.
5. Go After Your Dreams
Is your current job a stepping stone to your long term career?
If it is not, then identify your dreams for the future first. Then decide how your current job can be a stepping stone. You may want to request for additional or a change in your job responsibilities in line with your long term plans. Speak to your boss about it.
Alternatively, you may want to start looking out for a job that is geared towards your future dreams.
Do not allow your career or job to totally absorb your life. While you may love your work you also need to have fun outside of your job. Enjoy the company of friends and family, find a good hobby or recreation to participate in and learn how to relax. While you now have a career and adult responsibilities this does not mean that you cannot have fun it just means that your fun may be on a more mature level. Happy in life, happy in work what more can you ask?
A Strong Work Ethic
What is the value of hard work? This is a question that crosses the minds of many teens and young adults. So is there really a value to hard work? The answer is a resounding YES! people are drawn to those who display an aptitude for hard work. It pays dividends. Laziness is not attractive and will not gain you any respect.
How does one develop a strong work ethic? It helps to have a good example to follow but unfortunately not all teenagers are fortunate enough to have a parent or other family member that sets that example. As a parent we can help our teens by involving them in what we do. Let them see how we are working hard and interacting with people. When they see us modeling good work ethics they are more likely to follow our example. If we are a teenager or young adult and do not have this good model to follow we can look around us and try to follow the example set by other successful people. We can even ask them for guidance and more often than not they will be pleased to be a mentor.
As a parent we can give our children responsibility for small jobs around the house or garden in return for an allowance. Show them how we want each task to be done and the high standards you expect. If they fall short of the standard, have them do it again. Teach them to take pride in their work and to undertake any job to the best of their ability.
Children should be encouraged to take on a part time job when they become older. This will not only teach them responsibility but the value of money along with life skills such as time management, reliability, honesty, and working with others. Let your child know that money is not the only incentive for working hard.
As parents, teenagers and young adults we can donate our talent, time and hands to help others. Get involved in charitable organizations, church activities and youth groups. There is something to be said about helping others where the only ‘pay packet’ you’ll ever receive is a grateful ‘thank you’ coming from a sincere heart. Sometimes just knowing that you helped alleviate someone’s discomfort through your work is payment enough. It brings a joy and a sense of satisfaction that sadly many people have never experienced or understood. This is where the old biblical saying ‘more happiness in giving than receiving’ really comes into its own. In helping others you invariably help yourselves in more ways than you can imagine.
Having a strong work ethic also brings with it other perks such as respect and self reliance. You are not beholden to anybody. A sense of satisfaction knowing, that you have done a good job and of course the rewards and opportunities that come with hard work.
Job Search for Teens – Finding that Job
With outsourcing, downsizing and plant shutdowns increasing, teens, young adults and recent college graduates are finding themselves competing with the unemployed and under employed for the ever-shrinking supply of desirable jobs.
Who do you think gets the best job? It is not always the most qualified. How often have you heard, “I’m sorry, you’re over-qualified for this position”? An employment consultant says, “The job often goes to the most effective job seeker.” We have five suggestions that just might give you the edge you need to find your next job.
Be Organized
It is very important that you establish your personal ‘workday’ schedule so that you start your day knowing what you need to do that day in your job search. Set daily goals and record what you have done. It is amazing how satisfying it is to be able to check things off your list each day. In addition, each day must start with your getting dressed for work. Why would you need to do that? If you are dressed properly for business, it will give you added confidence, especially if you are talking on the phone with prospective employers. This is your “job” now, finding your next employer.
You can get addresses and phone numbers of prospective employers from the employment office. Respond to newspaper ads. Use the yellow pages of your phone book and make lists of companies that might have jobs that are often not advertised, and then contact them. Send a professionally prepared resume to these companies. After such systematic searching, you will be more successful at reaching your goal of finding a job.
How to find the Hidden Jobs
Your opportunities for finding a suitable job will be limited if you are looking for work only by responding to newspaper or Internet advertisements. The best jobs are often never advertised. How can you gain access to this hidden job market? Start by setting aside time each week to personally call on businesses that you think may have jobs in your area of interest or experience. They may tell you that they do not have anything now, but to check back in two or three months. Put them in your “tickler list” to follow up with in two or three months. If they say they are not hiring, ask if they know where else you might look and specifically to whom you should speak. If they suggest a company and contact, try to make an appointment with that company right away. When you call for the appointment, be sure to tell them who recommended them to you.
Ask your friends, family, and other associates to help you access the hidden job market. Let them know what your skills are and what you are looking for. Network with everyone. You never know who might know someone that knows someone that has an opening that requires just the type of skills you have. You might want to have some business cards made up with your contact information and maybe a short list of pertinent skills to leave with everyone you ask to help you in your search.
Now to get a quick start you might want to click on the job search link of SnagAJob and see what might be available in your area right now. Search for jobs in your area on SnagAJob.com
You Need an Effective Resume
If you are applying for an executive position, having a professional resume to give to your potential employers is a must. But no matter what job you are seeking, a well-prepared resume can be a great asset. A resume tells potential employers not only who you are but also what you have accomplished and why they need you. A source that is worth checking out for this is Resume Edge and right now you can save $20 when you purchase a Resume and Cover Letter at ResumeEdge.com
What to include in your resume:
1. Provide your full name, address, phone numbers, and e-mail address.
2. State your work objective.
3. List the education you have received, highlighting any training and skills that relate to the job you are seeking. You may have to adapt your list of skills to the particular position you are applying for.
4. Provide details of previous work experience. Include not only what you did but also examples of the goals you reached and the benefits you brought to your previous employers.
5. Highlight aspects of your previous employment that qualifies you for the job you are currently seeking.
6. Include personal information that describes your qualities, interests, and hobbies.
How to Nail the Interview
1. Research the company. With some background knowledge, you can converse intelligently with the interviewer about how the company and your skills match.
2. Dress appropriately for the type of work you are applying for. Always be neat, clean and well groomed.
3. Arrive about 15 minutes early. This will give you a little time to relax. NEVER BE LATE.
4. Smile and give the interviewer a firm handshake if that is appropriate.
5. Avoid being negative about your former employers and work mates.
6. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer and speak clearly and confidently about yourself.
7. Don’t forget to ASK FOR THE JOB if you still want it at the end of the interview.
Be Adaptable
To increase your chances of finding work, you must be adaptable. It is unlikely that you will find a job that has everything you are looking for. You need to learn to be content with employment that is less than ideal. Being adaptable may mean overcoming prejudice against certain types or work. Be willing to accept any suitable work that does not compromise your values.
By using these suggestions, you will have an advantage over the majority of others who are competing with you in the job market.
Good “job” hunting.
Job articles for teens and students
How to Dress For an Interview
The more effort you put into dressing the part, the higher your chances of getting the job. This is one of the most fundamental and basic rules of impressing during an interview. This may be an old rule but even in this modern age, dressing to impress continues to play a major role in helping interviewers select the right candidate.
When you put a lot of effort into your clothing for the interview, it tells the interviewer that the job is important to you or that you are serious about getting the job. While you might impress your interviewer with your attitude and guts by turning up in shorts, sneakers and t-shirt, you probably will not get the job. At the first point of introduction, you would have been mentally sized up and then struck off the list of potential candidates!
Sadly, even in this modern era, it is better to err on the side of being conventional and conservative rather than trying to dress according to the work that you are required to do. Stick to conventional rules and you cannot go very far off the mark.
Right now, you are probably thinking to yourself – “How do I dress to impress my potential employer during an interview and STILL keep to conventional rules?” It’s hard to impress with your dressing when you look just like everyone else.
That is not entirely true though. You see, for women, keep to solid colors (preferably a suit), well coordinated blouse, corporate-looking shoes (sandals are out of the question), tone down on the jewelry, and groom your hair neatly – you will not go far wrong. As long as you do not go overboard with the makeup, wear too much perfume, or have unruly hair, you will be quite safe.
Dressing for an interview does not mean that you have to shock your interviewers, try to keep things relatively simple, and combine your proper dressing with proper etiquette, attitude and qualification; there is little doubt that your potential employer will be impressed!
This does not mean that men do not have to dress to impress the interviewer. In fact, it has been shown that interviewers can be stricter and more stringent on men’s dress code during an interview. One small mistake and the first impression may be ruined, and we all know that the first impression is very hard to reverse – if not impossible.
Men should also keep to solid colors and also preferably a suit. A colorful and fancy tie design will not impress your interviewer. And, although teaming a high quality professional suit with a sports shoe might leave a lasting impression on the interviewer, it may not be the kind of lasting impression you want them to have.
As you can see, what you decide to wear to your job interview continues to be one of the biggest influencing factors that determine if you are ultimately successful or otherwise. If you do not want to be struck off the list the moment you walk into the interview room, keep to the norm and impress them with the effort you’ve put in to look right for the part.
Job articles for teens and students
Job articles for teens and students
Interview Tips For The First Time Job Seeker
If this is going to be the first or second time you have interviewed and you are a bit nervous about it. Even for those of us that have been interviewed a number of times over the years we sometimes tend to make the thought of it much more nerve racking than it should be. Here are a few tips that will increase your confidence, put you at ease and make the interview go much smoother.
You must remember that the world of business is a people oriented job no matter what the job is. By attending multiple interviews you are gaining contacts in your field, and presenting yourself as a possible co-worker. When you are starting interviews be prepared to meet and greet people from many companies. All of these new faces can help your career down the road even if you aren’t hired by them. You want to become familiar with all the players in your profession that you can. It always helps to have key players from other companies who know you and trust you.
Hopefully, you will find a match with a company that meets your needs and also wants your skills over other applicants. The process of matching yourself with the right company starts with an interview and the submission of a resume. A cover letter and several recommendations are usually required also.
An interview with a company official should be approached with careful preparation. The outcome of the interview is the most important factor in determining whether you will be hired or not.
A job interview is your first contact with a prospective employer. You definitely want to be well dressed, prompt and as relaxed as possible for the interview itself. Remember first impressions will last throughout the relationship you have with your employer.
When you arrive, the interviewer will have some specific things that need to be answered by you. You can help yourself get hired by simply following the cues of the interviewer. Be polite and answer all of the questions honestly. Let the interview flow as smoothly as possible by waiting for the interviewer to prompt you for your answers. Be professional in your responses and show a caring attitude along with a genuine desire for employment. Let the job interviewer run the interview. Try your best to come across clearly when answering the interviewer’s questions.
The interviewer will ask you for a resume. This document shows the interviewer your qualifications and educational background. Be sure to keep a copy for yourself. You will have to give a copy to each prospective employer.
Prepare a resume that includes your educational background, your prior work experience in the related fields to the job that you are applying for, and all required personal information. This would include your name and address, contact telephone number, and a message phone number also. Keep your resume brief. Most interviewers only read the highlights of the resume anyway. They will spend less than a minute reading it.
Most employers are looking for team players. They want to hire someone who can be friendly and who will integrate well with the office workers that are already there. This is why your first impression at the interview is so important. If you establish a friendly rapport with the interviewer, they will pass this along to the person who makes the final decision on hiring. Every employer wants to hire someone who is highly qualified, has a strong desire to produce results and is friendly.
Some tips to help you land the job you want:
1. Never ask about how much the job pays.
2. Do your research on the company. Talk to some employees before the interview. This will give you a feel for the work environment and job requirements. The more you know the better.
3. Don’t brag to the interviewer. You won’t impress them. Besides the best way to make friends is to listen carefully and interact appropriately. The interview will be a successful one if you simply establish good rapport.
4. Be respectful of the interviewer’s time. Don’t elaborate with unnecessary talk.
5. Thank the interviewer upon leaving. Shake hands and give a warm smile. Give the impression to your interviewer that you like the company and let them know once again how much you are interested in the position. Then exit with grace and purpose. The result will be a win-win situation for all concerned.
By presenting yourself as professional, you will enter the world of business with more allies and a brighter future in your chosen field. People are always happy to accommodate others who are helpful and committed to working for the common good. Be confident of your ability to land that good job that you want. It’s really a matter of making the right connections and following through with honest hard work. Put your best foot forward and look ahead to a great career.
Job articles for teens and students
Tips to Ace that Job Interview
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t particularly enjoy job interviews. They’re certainly amongst the most stressful occasions that you’ll have in your life. Here are some tips that will help you ace that interview.
The five tips below, if taken to heart and acted upon will probably give you an advantage over about 80% of all job applicants who do little or no preparation for the interview. And that is probably the biggest tip in itself – and a theme that runs through all five tips below – PREPARATION.
The more you prepare beforehand, the more confident you’ll be going in to the interview, and the more confident you’ll appear during the interview.
So, without further ado, here are the five tips that will put you streets ahead of the competition at job interviews:
1. Have all of the basic facts about yourself properly rehearsed in your mind. These include education, hobbies, interests and previous work experience. Try to slant what you say about your education, your interests and the roles you’ve had in your jobs to date to show why you would be the ideal candidate for this job.
Reinforce your job application with real evidence of what you’ve done in previous jobs. Don’t just give a bland one or two word description of your role – elaborate. Give specific descriptions of individual aspects of the work you did. Again, try to emphasize examples of tasks you performed that would make you perfect for the job you’ve applied for.
3. Make sure you demonstrate enthusiasm for the job you’re being interviewed for. Remember, the interviewer is looking for someone they feel will be ideally suited to the role advertised. If you come across as having very little interest in the position, do you think you’ll be offered it? Make sure you do your research on the company offering the job and the job role itself so that you give a good impression of your knowledge at the interview.
4. Work out beforehand the kind of skills and qualities you feel you would need to carry out the job you’re applying for and think of as many good examples as you can of how you’ve demonstrated these in your work and private life to date.
5. Make an effort with your appearance. Remember, first impressions are the only impressions the interviewer is going to have of you, so go all out to make those first impressions count. Think about the kind of character qualities and personality qualities you think someone good at the job you’ve applied for would demonstrate, and try to come across at the interview as having those qualities.
Job articles for teens and students