Job Searching

Some people dread looking for a job. Instead, try to think of a job search as a chance to explore opportunities and create your future. Imagine yourself working in different places with different people.

Finding Opportunities

When you look for a job, make use of the following resources.

Networking: Ask family members, friends, neighbors, and teachers for recommendations of good places to work. Check with the guidance counselors at your school about job opportunities they may know of. Often, people you know will be aware of job openings and may even have inside information and connections that can help you.
Career starters: Think of places that provide entry-level experience in the career of your choice. For example, if you want to be a nurse or a doctor, look into jobs at hospitals or clinics that would bring you into contact with those professionals and their daily work experience. If you want to be a chef, find a job as a busperson or server at a restaurant, and so on.
Chamber of commerce: Check with your local chamber of commerce about businesses in your area of interest that have entry-level positions available.
Want ads: Check local newspapers to see which companies are advertising for help.
Online search: Go online to search for job possibilities in your area. Visit each company’s official Web site to learn about the operation. Always find out if a business is reputable (not a scam) before applying. You can also consider using an employment Web site to find local job opportunities.
Help-wanted signs: Go window shopping for help-wanted advertisements. If you see such a sign, go inside and observe the working conditions. What are the workers doing? Do they seem happy? Are they helpful? What is the work environment like? If the situation looks promising, ask for a job application and fill it out. (See the facing page.)
Community bulletin boards: Check grocery store bulletin boards to find job advertisements from local businesses. Then visit the businesses that sound interesting and decide whether you’d like to apply there.

Your Turn Use one or more of the resources explained above to create a list of jobs that interest you. Then answer the following questions about your list. Which jobs would help you move along your career path? Which ones would best meet your present need for employment? Narrow the list to two or three jobs that you would like to consider more carefully.

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Completing a Job Application

Many jobs require you to fill out an application form. You can pick up these forms at the place of employment or access them online.

Guidelines for Completing Applications

Discuss your job search plans with your parent or guardian before you apply for a job.
Photocopy the application so that you can fill in a rough copy first.
Gather the requested information.
Carefully read the directions and ask for help on any parts that are unclear.
Complete the whole application.
Write NA if a part does not apply to your situation.
Check your work.
Create a clean, legible final draft to hand in.

Your Turn Ask for a job application from a place where you would like to work. Follow the guidelines above as you complete the application form.

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Creating a Résumé

Some jobs require a résumé instead of a job application. A résumé is a concise list of your experience in school, in the workplace, and your qualifications for a specific type of work. You should create a general résumé and then customize it for each position you apply for. The most successful résumés connect what you have to offer with what the employer needs. There are two types:

Chronological résumés help you highlight your past work experience.
Functional résumés help you highlight your skills and qualifications.

Chronological Résumé

Charlotte Anderson

73105 West State Street

Burlington, VT 05400

(802) 555-9678

charlander381@gmail.com

The beginning of the résumé states an employment objective.

Employment Objective:

Veterinary assistant position that includes daily feeding, exercising, and cleaning of animals as well as aiding the veterinarian with routine medical procedures

Work Experience:

Volunteer at the Burlington Humane Society, 2011-Present
Owner of Charlotte’s Rabbits breeding business, 2009-Present
Farm worker on family farm, 2005-Present

The middle lists work experience, skills and qualifications, and education.

Skills and Qualifications:

Lifelong love of animals
Experience caring for cats, dogs, rabbits, goats, cows, pigs, chickens
Desire to pursue degree in veterinary science

Education:

Senior at Burlington High School, 3.89 GPA
Rabbit Care Certification through 4-H

The ending adds awards and honors.

Awards and Honors:

Vermont State Fair Best in Show Rabbit Awards, 2011, 2012
4-H Young Agribusiness Award, 2012
Women in Science Scholarship Winner
National Merit Scholar

References available upon request.

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Functional Résumé

Charlotte Anderson

73105 West State Street

Burlington, VT 05400

(802) 555-9678

charlander381@gmail.com

The beginning of the résumé gives a job objective.

Job Objective:

Veterinary assistant position that includes daily feeding, exercising, and cleaning of animals as well as aiding the veterinarian with routine medical procedures

The middle of the résumé focuses on the applicant’s qualifications.

Qualifications:

Caring

Experience caring for cows, pigs, chickens, cats, dogs, and rabbits
Oldest of six children, with a lot of baby-sitting experience

Hardworking

Milk cows before and after school
Clean out cow stalls each day
Maintain a strong GPA

Motivated

Want to help heal animals
Desire to pursue degree in veterinary science
Determined to gain experience through hard work

Education

Senior at Burlington High School, 3.89 GPA
Rabbit Care Certification through 4-H

The ending lists experience, starting with the most recent.

Experience:

2011-Present Volunteer at the Burlington Humane Society

2009-Present Owner of Charlotte’s Rabbits breeding business

2005-Present Farm worker on family farm

References available upon request.

Posting Online

Consider posting your résumé on an employment Web site. Include job-related keywords such as “veterinary,” “assistant,” “animal,” and “care.”

Your Turn Decide which résumé format would best highlight your qualifications for a particular job, and create the document. Remember to include keywords (search terms) that will help prospective employers find your résumé online.