At Bender Leadership Academy, we believe in the power of employment. Employment changes the quality of life for people with disabilities. That is why we explore what it takes to get and keep a job, encourage you to follow your dreams, and be an informed citizen.
However, very few people land their dream job the first time they look for work, or even with the second or third job. Following your dreams is a journey, starting with laying the foundation for future success right now.
Youth employment provides the opportunity to explore the world of work, build professional competencies, and demonstrate your ability to be responsible. Let’s explore some tips for searching for youth employment.
Identify places to apply. Today’s job search is a combination of online job boards and more traditional methods such as networking and in-person inquiries. Do not be afraid to ask people that you know if they are aware of places hiring. When searching for opportunities using job boards, use filters to find appropriate roles.
Pay attention to what the job posting says and do your research. Do not apply if you do not fit base criteria such as age, ability to work the posted shift, or required education. Know before you apply if you can get to the location.
Gather your application information. Create a file on your computer with common application information for easy access. Most applications will ask for contact information, school information, work and volunteer history, and availability. They will typically want to know your job title, dates of employment/volunteer work, addresses, and possibly phone numbers.
In addition to these details, identify 3-5 references you can list at the appropriate time. For a first job, some examples could include a teacher, a volunteer, a supervisor, or a person you know who works at the business. Avoid listing family members. Make sure you have asked your references if they will provide you with a good reference before giving out their information.
Prepare your resume. Build a professional resume that highlights why you are a good fit for the job. Review it before attaching it to make sure that the resume is appropriate for the job for which you are applying. For example, if you are applying for a job working as a host at a restaurant, be sure the resume does not state that you want a different job.
Some employers request that specific information be included. Make sure your resume has all basic information requested as part of the application process. This may mean making slight changes for each application.
Review your online presence. Many employers now look up potential employees online to determine if they present themselves in a professional way when using social media. Review the history of your profiles to determine if there is anything you should remove that you would not want an employer to see.
It is recommended that you never post things on social media that you aren’t ok with the whole world seeing. Doing this on an ongoing basis will remove potential impacts on employment.
Do not give up. Most people don’t get selected for the first job they apply for. Don’t be deterred by silence or rejection. Keep trying and keep applying to jobs you believe you can do.
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