How To Land Your First Job This Summer

Landing your first job can be daunting. You're young, you don't have experience, and there are hundreds of other people that probably applied to that very same position. Whether you're in high school or applying for your first job in college, this is an important milestone that can help you in the future.

Start your search

If you're in high school, a part-time job is the way to go. Part-time jobs won't interfere with your school schedule and if you're under 18, you won't have to worry about working late on a school night.

If you're in college, try for an internship. You're really close to receiving your degree and you'll need all of the relevant experience you can get as soon as possible. If you're strapped for cash, try for a paid internship. Yes, those do exist. 

Google is your best friend when it comes to finding available positions. Find out where you want to work and look for open positions on the company website (best option), Glassdoor, Indeed, Careerbuilder or even through their social channels, such as LinkedIn. Look for jobs in your area and close to your school. If you want an after school job, you'll need to make sure that your commute is under 30 minutes. If you don't have transportation, find a job near a train or bus stop.

Preparation

Write down any experience you've had, whether it was volunteering, baby sitting, or major school project. Any experience is beneficial to list out.

From those experiences, try to pull a list of references that you can share when you apply and to list on your resume. Make sure to contact your references before to see if it's okay. References are very important when applying for internship positions.

Find a job you like? Print off the job description. Highlight every skill that you have. Are you awesome at Excel? Are you a people person? Do you enjoy working as a team? These are all skills that many jobs look for in a candidate. Use these skills to help you write your resume. I suggest creating a document where you can organize places you've applied for, contact information, and list all of your job site passwords.

Write a Kick-Ass resume even without experience

If you never had a job before, writing a resume and cover letter is pretty scary. Lucky for you, you have plenty of people that can help. First, ask your parent/guardian, older sibling, or family member. You can also stop by your school counselor or career counselor, if you're in college, for help. They are skilled in this topic and would love to help you create one.

If you prefer to write one on your own, check out The Muse. I can't stress how much this website has helped. It's free and will help you find an internship.

Think before you post

Anything you post on social media can affect how others perceive you. What might seem like an harmless post could really hurt someone's feelings. One thing you don't want to do is upset your potential employers. And yes, they do check your social media. Social media background checks might not be as in depth, however talking bad about company on Twitter is never a good thing.

For more formal jobs and internships, remove photos that can position you in a negative light. Any and all sloppy party pics should be removed no matter how much fun there were. Nothing's wrong with going out and having a good time, however, the first impression is your lasting impression. Just clean it up.

Dress to impress

Dressing appropriately for an interview is one of the most important factors in you impressing your interviewer. Even for a part-time job, an ironed dark suit, neat hair and nails, and close-toed shoes will suffice. Don't try to stand out by dying your hair a bright color or wear bright colored outfit. Looking professional equates that you are professional and responsible enough to have the job.

When it comes to natural hair, wear it. What state your hair texture is should NEVER determine your professionalism. After all, you can't change your DNA. If your potential employer has a problem with it, then that's not the place for you.

Have Confidence

Interviewers can tell when you're nervous. The more confidence you have, the better you'll perform. Part-time jobs don't have many requirements other than availability and a positive criminal record. So just believe in yourself. You got this!


I hope these tips help. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments down below. Happy job hunting! :)