Employment

During High School

Locating Job Openings:

Sources:

1) Decatur High School Career Center has a job board located to the right upon entering the Career Center.
2) Local Job Service Center

• Most employers see your job application before they see you; if you want to be interviewed, your application must make an outstanding impression. Messy, illegible or incomplete forms can easily end up in the waste basket. The way you fill out your application form has a great deal to do with whether you get the interview and the job. Employers often make assumptions about the quality of work you would do by the way you fill out an application. Always follow the directions for completing the application and check it carefully before submitting it.
  
• A social security number will be required.
  
• Letters of reference or recommendation are very helpful. They can be written by teachers, professors, employers, work associates, clergy, or counselors. Whenever possible avoid asking family members for references or letters of recommendation. Such letters are addressed "To Whom It May Concern" and copies can be attached to your resume, or taken to a job interview.
  
• Documents verifying education or training may be necessary: high school diplomas, transcripts, verification of apprenticeship or military training, or other certificates of training.
  Copies of special awards or honors can be included as well.
  

Hints On How To Present Information In Applications:

• When explaining your reasons for leaving a job avoid terms such as fired, terminated, dissatisfied, failed, or couldn't get along. It is better to present a more positive picture - for example, company reorganized, better opportunity, career change, or returned to school.
  
• Gaps in your work history may prevent your getting the interview unless they are made positive. Put considerable thought into your answers, and present a positive image of your desire to do a good job. Never falsify information on an application. It will eventually cause problems for you.
  
• Before submitting your application, proof read it and ask questions such as, "Is it neat and clean, and free of smudges? Are words and abbreviations spelled correctly? Is all the information accurate? Were all of the directions followed?" One of the more common mistakes on an application is forgetting to sign your name. Most other mistakes are just as obvious and include a wrong phone number, incorrect dates, etc. So double-checking can ensure that the employer gets a positive picture of you.
  

Cover Letters Spark Employer's Interest:

• A cover letter is just what the name implies. It is a letter that answers or spells out why that employer should use his time and money to interview you. It differs from a resume in that it targets in on a specific company and a specific position. The cover letter allows the applicant to stress certain abilities, skills, and experience that make him/her ideally suited for the position. A cover letter can also be used to explain certain questionable areas of the application or resume such as unsteady work history, health problems, etc.
  
• Here Are Some Tips To Keep In Mind:
  • Find out all you can about the company and let your letter reflect this knowledge. Call and ask for the Human Resources Manager's name. Address your letter to her/him. In your letter state why you want to work for this particular company.
  • If possible, address your letter to the person who actually does the hiring.
  • Type the letter.
  • Use simple, direct language.
  • Specify the position you are writing about in the first paragraph of the cover letter.
  • Mention how you heard about the job.
  • Know your skills, abilities, and experience, and state how you fit into the company. Tell them what makes you different from other applicants.
  • Give an example of personal aptitudes such as dependable, hard worker, etc. What in your work history proves that you are dependable? How was your attendance?
  • Keep in mind, the employer wants to know what you can do for them, not what they can do for you.
  • Keep it upbeat and positive.
• Above all, check your spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure and be neat and complete.
• In closing, express your desire to provide additional information either by letter or in person.

 

Example:

Develop A Resume:

Resumes give the employer information about you and your qualifications. You have more freedom with a resume than with an application form; you can put your best points first and avoid blanks. Information to include in a resume:

• employment experience. related courses. activities. awards. special skills
• vollunteer or community service

You will also want to have a list of references with addresses and phone numbers. Always contact your references before using them in a resume or on an application.

Example:

Mary Smith
1234 M St. NE
Federal Way, Washington 98023
(253-555-9999)

EDUCATION:

• Senior at Decatur High School. High school diploma, pending graduation. High school studies with Business emphasis\
• Grade average: B (upper 25% of graduating class)

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES:

• Student Body Treasurer (senior year).
  • Responsibilities: Receive and disburse student body funds; keep records; prepare purchase requisitions.
• Member of varsity basketball team (junior and senior years). President of Junior Achievement Club (junior year).
  • Responsibilities: Organized a group of students which designed and sold personalized T-shirts.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

• Clerk/typist at KAYU Television Studios (two summers).
  • Responsibilities: Typed forms and letters; sorted and distributed mail; operated Xerox duplicating equipment; acted as studio guide. Received Idea of the Month Award for a work simplification suggestion which resulted in a reduction of errors.
• Newspaper route(one year).
  • Responsibilities: Delivered 120 papers daily, made monthly collections, and solicited new subscriptions. Was instrumental in increasing circulation on route by 25 percent.

PERSONAL BACKGROUND:

• Born, raised and attended public schools in Auburn, Washington.
• Interests include: model building and reading, backpacking, tennis, basketball, and swimming.

REFERENCES:

Mr. John Doe
Principal, Decatur High School
2800 SW 320th Street
Federal Way, WA 98023
(253) 945-5200

Mrs. Jane Doe
History Instructor, Decatur High School
2800 SW 320th Street
Federal Way, WA 98023
(253) 945-5200

Mr. Paul Allen
Manager, KOMO Television Studios
3000 Pike Street
Seattle, Washington 98023
(206) 555-1652
 

The Job Interview:

• The job interview is the most important part of your job hunt. Those 20 or 30 minutes may determine your future. Yet employers are constantly amazed at the number of applicants who drift into the job interviews without any preparation, and only a vague idea of where they are going or what they are doing.
  
• The job interview is your showcase for merchandising your talents. During the interview an employer judges your qualifications, appearance, and general fitness for the job opening. It is your opportunity to convince the employer that you can make a real contribution.
  
• Preparation before an interview is important. You should have the needed papers ready and the necessary information about yourself firmly in mind; and you should know how to act at the interview to make it an effective device for selling your skills.
  

Be Prepared:

• Find out the exact time and place of the interview. Write it down and the full name and address of the company and keep the note with you.. Be certain you have the interviewer's name, and find out how to pronounce it if it looks difficult.. Dress appropriately for the job. Many employers make judgments about appearance that may be a deciding factor of who to hire.. Be on time. Conduct yourself in a confident and positive manner. Greet the interviewer by name as you enter the office, and take your cues from him or her. Shake hands firmly, but only if the interviewer makes the first gesture. Good posture and a smile help. Normally, wait until a chair is offered before you sit down.
• Never smoke or chew gum during an interview.
• Look directly at the interviewer when speaking and keep your hands still. Body language can say a lot. Practice with a friend to see what your posture and movements are saying. Squared shoulders show high energy; an unbuttoned coat indicates openness; and hands apart show relaxation. Know the message your body language is giving the interviewer.
• Employers may ask about information on your application form or resume, but more important, they are interested in learning what is not on the application. Analyze your strengths and weaknesses, background, and personal aspirations and values. In other words, begin to formulate not only what you would like to do, but also what you feel you are best prepared to do.
• Always try to emphasize the positive. While past failures and shortcomings need not be volunteered, they should not be covered up or side-stepped.

Questions For The Job Interview:

• Questions You May Be Asked By The Interviewer:
  • Where did you hear about us?. Tell me about yourself.. What is your background?. What does your current job include?. What is (or was) your best subject in school? Your worst? Your favorite?. If you had a choice of any job, what would you choose to do? Why?. Why do you want to work for our company?. What are your short-term and long-term goals?
  • What kind of contribution can you make to our company
• Here Are Some Questions You May Want To Ask The Prospective Employer:
  • What would the daily duties of the job be?. Does the company have a policy of promoting from within, or do you usually look outside the company for the top jobs?. What is the turnover rate (how often people leave) for this job in your company?
  • What opportunities for moving up can this company offer?

Do's And Don'ts For The Job Interview:

• DO:
  • Be prepared to state your purpose when you arrive for the interview.
  • Shake hands firmly, and stand until offered a chair.
  • Learn the interviewer's name and use it.
  • Be pleasant and friendly but businesslike.
  • Ask questions - after all, you want to make sure the job is right for you.
  • Be positive, stress your strong points.
  • Be prepared to state the salary you want, but not until the employer has brought up the subject.
  • Tell the employer you are interested in the job and inform him/her of the qualifications you have to offer the company.
  • Remember to thank the employer for interviewing you.
  • If the employer does not tell you when you will hear about the job, ask when you may call to learn of his/her decision.
    
• DON'T:
  • Never take anyone with you into an interview.
  • Don't plead for a job or a chance.
  • Never say "I'll take anything." Instead, say that you'll work hard, especially if there is a chance to move up.
  • In discussing previous jobs, don't criticize former employers or co-workers.
  • Don't discuss your personal, home, or money problems unless specifically asked to do so.
  • Try to answer only items directly related to the job.
  • Don't smoke, even if the interviewer does.
  • Don't tell a prospective employer about other jobs you applied for but were turned down.
  • Don't apologize for lack of experience or training; stress your strong points instead, such as your ability to learn quickly, assume responsibility, etc..
  • Don't hang around after the interview.
  • Don't chew gum.

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