how to land your first job (even as a teen)

Summary

This video script offers a comprehensive guide on landing your first job, emphasizing the importance of a well-crafted resume as your sales pitch. It advises on highlighting extracurricular activities to showcase traits like responsibility and teamwork, crucial for first-time job seekers. The script also covers resume formatting, using action verbs and numbers, and the importance of aligning with an applicant tracking system. Additionally, it suggests creating a portfolio website for a standout application and provides tips on job searching, application, and interview preparation, including the STAR method for answering behavioral questions.

Takeaways

• 👟 The video is a guide on how to land your first job, emphasizing the importance of a well-crafted resume as your 'sales pitch' to employers.
• 📝 A resume should include information about education, work experience, and skills, but for first-time job seekers, it should highlight extracurricular activities and personal traits like responsibility and teamwork.
• 🚫 Avoid listing every club or activity; keep the resume concise and to one page long to maintain focus and readability.
• 🔍 Use an applicant tracking system (ATS) friendly format for your resume, with clear, concise descriptions using action verbs and numbers to highlight your impact.
• 🌐 Create a portfolio website to showcase your personal brand, especially useful for roles in marketing or creative fields.
• 🛠️ Utilize tools like Hostinger's AI website builder to set up a professional-looking portfolio website without needing to know how to code.
• 🔎 When searching for jobs, consider factors like distance, job responsibilities, and how the job aligns with your academic interests or intended major.
• 🕒 Be mindful of the work-school balance, especially when dealing with college applications and standardized tests.
• 📋 Apply to multiple jobs and keep track of applications using tools like Google Sheets to stay organized and follow up effectively.
• 👔 Prepare for job interviews by dressing business casual, arriving early, and maintaining a friendly and energetic demeanor.
• 🗣️ Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure answers to common interview questions about challenges and leadership experiences.
• 🔄 Understand that job rejections are common and to keep applying and improving your application materials until you secure a position.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is providing guidance on how to land your first job, including creating a resume, searching for jobs, and preparing for interviews.

Why is a resume important for getting a job?

A resume is important because it serves as your sales pitch to potential employers, highlighting your education, prior work experience, skills, and extracurricular activities to convince them that you are qualified for the job.

What should a resume for a first-time job seeker emphasize if they lack work experience?

A resume for a first-time job seeker should emphasize their extracurricular activities, such as club sports or community service, to highlight traits like responsibility, organization, and teamwork.

What is the recommended length for a resume?

The recommended length for a resume is one page, unless the individual has extensive experience that cannot be condensed.

How can a job seeker use a job description to improve their resume?

A job seeker can use a job description by copying it into a word cloud generator to identify prominent words, which should be highlighted in their activity descriptions to signal to the applicant tracking system that they are a good fit for the position.

What is an applicant tracking system and why is it important to consider it when writing a resume?

An applicant tracking system is a software that automatically scans resumes to determine if a candidate is a good fit for the position. It's important to consider it because it can discard your resume before it reaches the employer if it doesn't recognize you as a potential candidate.

What is the purpose of a portfolio website in the context of job applications?

A portfolio website can help job seekers stand out by showcasing their personal brand, including headshots, project demos, and creative work, especially for roles that require a more personalized touch.

How can a job seeker find job opportunities that match their interests and skills?

A job seeker can use websites like LinkedIn or Indeed to search for jobs, focusing on categories like fast food or retail, and considering factors like distance, responsibilities, and hours to find opportunities that align with their interests and skills.

What are some tips for preparing for a job interview?

Tips for preparing for a job interview include arriving early, dressing business casual, maintaining a friendly and energetic demeanor, and practicing answers to common interview questions using the STAR method.

What is the STAR method and how can it be used in answering interview questions?

The STAR method is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. It helps structure responses to behavioral interview questions by starting with the situation, describing the task, explaining the actions taken, and concluding with the results.

What should a job seeker do if they haven't heard back after a job interview?

If a job seeker hasn't heard back after two weeks, they should follow up with a call to inquire about the status of their application and reiterate their interest in the position.

How can job seekers manage the balance between school, extracurricular activities, and a part-time job?

Job seekers should prioritize their academics first, followed by extracurricular activities, and then their part-time job. It's important to be mindful of the time commitment each requires, especially during busy periods like college application season.