A Guide to Creative Résumés

02/02/2010

In the current employment environment candidates are always looking for new and unique ways to stand out amongst the competition. Remember Elle Woods and her pink scented résumé in Legally Blonde? Printing on colored paper may not be the exact approach to take, but if you have talents in web or graphic design or another artistic field, a résumé that employs a creative use of multimedia design could certainly help. Employers in the industries of advertising, web design, or graphic design often seek candidates that have superior design skills and the ability to think outside the box.

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How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter

02/16/2010

Using a cover letter is important when applying for a job. A lot of young applicants believe that cover letters are only for those applying to high level positions, but they are also important when applying for a first job. Cover letters go beyond what your resume conveys, by providing prospective employers with a greater knowledge of who you are and why you will fit well within their organization. Writing a cover letter may seem like a burdensome extra step, but if you follow this simple template it should actually be fairly easy to write. After all, you’re already an expert on yourself!

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Networking Your Way to a New Job

03/17/2010

Did you know that over 60 percent of jobs are found by networking?

You’ve probably heard the old saying, “It’s not always what you know, but who you know.” If you take that to heart, it could just help you land your first job.

You already have a built-in network—it’s called your friends, family, teachers, coaches or other people you know and look up to as mentors. Put your contacts to work for you by talking to them about your job search and asking for their advice. You may be surprised by the opportunities that turn up.

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Volunteering: Good for the Heart and Good for the Resume

03/19/2010

When you volunteer your time and hard work, you have an amazing opportunity to make a positive difference in your community. However, you may be surprised to find that volunteering can actually benefit YOU the most.

In today’s economy, many first-time job seekers are finding it difficult to get hired. It may be more productive to focus your time and energy on identifying the right volunteer opportunity and then treating that experience as a paying job.

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Perfect Jobs for Shy Teenagers

04/06/2010

So you don’t have the most outgoing personality and the thought of getting a first job this summer working directly with customers, making sales calls, taking people’s orders, or standing at a cash register has you wishing summer would never come. But we have some great news for you! There are plenty of first jobs that are perfect for those of you who are just a little quieter and more reserved than your outgoing peers.

If working primarily with customers isn’t high on your list of ideal assignments, here are your best bets for a first job:

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Perfect Jobs for Outgoing Teenagers

04/21/2010

In our last post, we offered suggestions for shy teenagers looking for their first job, but what if you are the opposite of shy? What if you would much rather be the center of attention and interact with different kinds of people? Well good news! We have just the jobs for you!

Server: As I’m sure you know from eating out, when you have a friendly server, you have a more enjoyable dining experience. By landing your first job as a server you will be able to use your outgoing personality to interact with customers while learning valuable skills about promptness, service and hospitality, and the importance of taking pride in your work.

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Career Advisor Says: Words to Never Use in Your Resume

04/28/2010

Career advisor Liz Ryan was on “The Early Show on Saturday Morning” this past weekend with advice on how to make your resume stand out. Although her advice was directed at all job seekers, the advice is especially helpful for those of you who are looking for your first job and writing your first resume.

When writing a resume it is easy to throw in popular catch phrases or terms like “team player” or “strong work ethic.” But the problem with these phrases is that everyone else is also including them on their resume, preventing you from standing out!

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A Teenager’s Guide for Filling Out a First Job Application

06/15/2010

The job market for teens this summer doesn’t look great. But that doesn’t mean finding a first job this summer is impossible. One of the best ways to increase your chance of getting your first job is to increase the number of places you are applying—and that means filling out lots of applications.

The hiring managers at most entry level jobs use a standard application as a screening method to decide which candidates to interview. The good news is that most of these applications are similar. Some companies, particularly large chains, have started using computer terminals to collect applications, but many businesses still ask interested candidates to fill out paper forms.

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