If you’re in high school and you’re wanting to land your first job, kudos to you choosing to take on that responsibility alongside your studies! Finding your first job can be both challenging and rewarding, and luckily for you we’ve compiled 10 of the best job hunting tips to help you with searching and preparing for your potential job.

 


  1. Find a job close to your area.

    If you’re not driving yet and rely on your parents to drop and pick you up, it’s important to consider searching for and applying to jobs that are in close proximity to where you live. Finding a job that is easily accessible by public transport is a great plus for occasions your parents can’t offer you a ride. A most common example is to try looking at your local shopping centre for job openings.

     

  2. Keep an open mind.

    It’s inevitable to daydream about the “perfect” first job if we have a preference for a particular industry we would want to work in because we feel we’d enjoy it most. However sometimes life might have different plans for you, and you might end up with a job that you didn’t think you would be working at. That’s why it’s important to not limit yourself to certain types of jobs, and keep an open mind about different ones. Keep your options open for any industry, and make sure that you’re applying for jobs that you’re happy to work at should you get the offer. Remember that the more flexible and open minded you are, the more opportunities you’ll be able to apply for and thus the more likely you are able to land a job.

     

  3. Prepare a good resume and cover letter.

    Preparing a good resume and cover letter is essential as they are the first things employers will judge you on. Take your time on writing up your resume, ensuring it has a structured layout, it’s informative, condensed and concise. Because you’re writing up a resume for your first job, don’t worry that you may not have as much information to include; you can include any type of previous experience you’ve had in community service work or any volunteering you’ve participated in within and outside of school. You can check out our post on resume writing tips here.

  4. Use a variety of search methods.

    Expand your job searching techniques by looking for job openings through different resources such as:
         • Job search websites: including but not limited to SEEK, Jobsearch, Indeed, CareerOne, WowCareers, PedestrianTV and Gumtree. Such websites allow you to upload your resume online and fill in your personal details so employers are able to readily view your information when individual profiles.

    • Social media websites: Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Social media has rapidly become a business as it’s used to advertise and promote companies. So look out for any jobs that may be posted by big and small businesses (including shopping centres that may post about job openings on behalf of different stores within their complex).

    • Personal connections: Let family, friends and neighbours know that you’re looking for a job and ask them to recommend any openings they know of to you.
     

  5. Be assertive.

    Though most jobs require an online application, some jobs still prefer in-store resumes to be handed to them in person. This is great because unlike most online applications, you’ll be able to give a good first impression so they know that you’re motivated and committed to find a job. This does mean you need to be more assertive in approaching staff and asking if they’re looking to hire at the moment; if they are, then you can hand your resume to them to be passed onto their employer.

  6. Apply for as many jobs as you can.

    Apply for as many jobs as possible at any moment. Keep applying to as many as you can rather than waiting to hear back from one before you apply for another position. Remember the more jobs you apply to increases the likelihood of a job being offered to you.

  7. Gather important documents.

    Should you be invited for an instant interview, it’s important to have your essential documents already pre-prepared so you’re not rushing to find them last minute before your interview. Important documents include:
    • Printed copy of your resume and cover letter
    •     Drivers license or learners permit
    • Passport, birth certificate or photo identification
    • Tax file number
     

  8. Prepare well for the interview.

    If you were invited to join the hiring manager or team for an interview, congratulations! Now comes the preparation part for the interview. There are five things you should do to prepare for the interview:
    • Research about the company
    • Reflect on your personal attributes and why you would suit the company
    • Consider your skills and previous experiences
    • Practice your verbal and non verbal communication skills
    • Decide what to wear (most employers specify a dress code for the interview,  however if they haven’t mentioned what to wear, email or call them up and ask).

     

  9. Follow up.

    If you haven’t heard back from a job, try following up by calling or emailing the hiring manager. This shows that you’re determined and confident, which are perceived as commended traits by employers for their current and future employees to obtain.

  10. Maintain a positive mindset.

    After constant searching and applying for jobs, it’s inevitable to encounter a bit of rejection along the way. And unfortunately it can be disheartening at times when you feel like you’ve tried everything. But it’s important to never give up as you’re always bound to face competition and obstacles. Maintaining a positive mindset will keep you motivated and determined to find the right job for you; so just keep applying and you will eventually get there as long as you keep working towards it.

     

Hopefully these tips gave you the insight and motivation to go out and find your first job in high school. Wishing you luck and all the best for your future endeavours! Feel free to leave any comments below for questions you may have.