Application Tips:
- Use websites such as Indeed or Linked In to look for jobs! They can make it really easy to apply, just upload or create an online resume and hit “apply” to the ones you want!
- It can take 5-10 days for an employer to respond, but it is a good idea to call, email, or walk into the business (once!) and just let them know you put in an application and are still interested!
- You do not need to put your social security number (SSN) on the application, only once you HAVE GOTTEN THE JOB. This is not something that is wrong to do, but applications aren’t secure like a tax document or onboarding banking form.
- Cover letters are optional, but give you a place to expand upon why you think you would be a good fit for the job!
Interview tips:
- It is always a good idea to look up interview questions and practice (even if only to your pet/mirror!) your answers to them. This just takes some of the stress and anxiety off you when you are in the interview, so you can feel more confident or focus on certain social skills.
- Interviews can make anyone nervous, and often do!
- Ask any questions you have, such as what the pay will be, how taking days off works, how flexible scheduling is, job requirements, etc.
- Stand up for yourself if you feel you need to, and advocate! Just remember to be courteous in doing so.
Resume tips
- Quantify when you can! Use exact numbers, dates, and amount of hours on your resume instead of talking around it or explaining with long sentences. I worked here for 6 months. I did 156 hours of community service.
- When at all possible, break it down into bullet points and sentences instead of paragraphs. That information is for the interviews!
- Use a commonly accepted font-- Arial, Times New Roman, Calibri, Garamond, Georgia. Something that will be able to format no matter what browser or type of computer you have, and isn’t hard to read. 11 or 12 pt font.
- Make it visually appealing. This doesn’t mean pictures and memes, but rather have it formatted so that the sections are easily located, easy to parse through, not solid walls of texts.
- For most jobs you will apply to before the age of 25 (more specifically, once you graduate, or plan to enter the field you want to be your main career, or are applying for a higher level position), your resume should not be longer than one page. Any more, and you may have too much text and explanations.
Written by Katy Evans