Finding a job is easy. Check the classifieds in the paper, log on to monster.com
on the internet, ask your friend in the Burger Barn hat if his boss is hiring. Finding
a job? No problem.
Getting a job is a different story.
It usually happens like this. You leave the house and go on the Job Hunt Marathon
as if you’re trying to store enough applications in your cave for the winter. You
fill out a trillion applications in one day. You finally arrive home, tired, but
pleased with yourself because you filled out all those apps. You figure all you
have to do is sit by the phone and wait.
Not so much.
As it happens most of the youth who come through our doors and actually get jobs
are the ones who don’t spend a minute waiting by the phone. They also don’t do the
Job Hunt Marathon thing. Below is a list of what the employed youth (we’ll call
her Lisa) actually does and why it works.
- After searching on the net, and in the paper, Lisa picks 3-5 jobs (not 15) to focus
her efforts on. Lisa arrives to pick up the application dressed neatly and professionally
(not in what she wore to the club last night or to school that day). Lisa knows
that first impressions mean a lot and who knows? She may have to interview on the
spot.
- Lisa job hunts and/ interviews with a cover letter and resume in hand (yes, even
when applying at Taco Bell). She knows that employers are not always hyped about
hiring young people. Her cover letter and resume will help her stand out from the
average girl or guy.
- Lisa practices how she’ll answer interview questions before she interviews. She
knows that there are certain questions almost all employers ask –What are your strengths
and weaknesses? Why do you want to work here? She also tries to think about what
she thinks the employer wants in an employee.
- Lisa does not go job hunting or to an interview an hour after she broke up with
her boyfriend or the day she flunked her math quiz. She knows that she has to show
up smiling, with a clear mind, and a positive attitude.
- Lisa isn’t one to wait by the phone. A week after she turns in her application or
interviews she calls and politely asks to speak to a manager to find out the verdict-
i.e. What is the status of my application? Getting a job takes patience and persistence,
but it can be done. If you think ahead and stay focused you can be at the mall,
extra money in hand, shopping with Lisa. :)
