Career 101

Research the career you want to pursue. If you aren't planning on getting additional training or education, make sure that you are able to apply with having a high school diploma.

You will be applying to entry-level jobs, but keep in mind that you may be able to advance within the business/company.

Update your resume and have someone proofread it. This is likely the first thing employers see, so make a good first impression. Keep it short (1 page) and professional.

Take advantage of College Credit Now courses. These look great on your resume and you are able to put that you have "some college" on job applications.

Start asking people to be your reference. References should not be family members and should be someone that can talk about your strengths and work ethic. Be sure to let them know what jobs you are applying to. You can use this template to have a list of references to share at an interview.

Practice your interview skills by doing a mock interview, preferably with someone you don't know.

Keep the STAR method in mind when interviewing:

• Situation - Set the scene

• Task - Describe the purpose

• Action - Explain what you did

• Result - Share the outcome

Send thank you notes! After your interview, send a thank you note to the interviewer/interview committee. This can set you apart from other candidates.