Preparing for a Job

Building your resume

Even if a job or college application does not require you to submit a resume when applying for an opportunity, it is always encouraged to include it with your application and bring copies of it to your interview as evidence to your preparation. 

A resume is a one-page typed form that highlights your contact info, experiences, skills, abilities, and awards that demonstrate why you are a strong candidate.   There's lots of worksheets, examples, and templates online to help you build a resume, and here is a google folder for you to review:

• Google Folder with Resume Templates

Now you might say, "But I've never had a job, how can I build a resume?" Between school clubs, extra-curriculars, volunteer opportunities, informal responsibilities and gigs like baby-sitting, mowing lawns, and calling bingo can help you flesh out your first resume.  Combine that with a lists of skills and interests, and you're positioning yourself to be successful.

**Also, some websites like Indeed allow you to use your LinkedIn profile to act as your digital resume.  See this page for info on how and why to do that.

Building your References

In addition to tracking your talents with your resume, you'll also want to be cultivating and building relationships with mentors, supervisors, and colleagues who can vouch for your skills, experience, leadership etc.   You never know who you meet may one day be the link or connection that you need to get your dream career, so always be collecting business cards, and contact information to help you expand your professional network.  References are needed for both jobs and college apps, and you'll want to have at least 3-5 people (not family) of teachers, supervisors, coaches, and others  who you can provide to employers so that the employer can call them and have a brief 5-10 minute conversation about your qualifications.  Before you put someone down as a reference, you should ask them if its ok to use them as a reference, and you should reconfirm this ever 2-3 months so that you can update them on your career hunt and sustain that relationship.  Here's some reference page samples and templates. 

Preparing for an Interview

You might be totally qualified and a great fit for a job, but interviewing is a skill itself, and just like any skill, it takes perfect practice and preparation to build your skills and confidence in your ability to tell your story during a high stakes job interview.   Entering an interview is often your opportunity to make a strong first impression, meaning you are a blank canvas and you get to wow them with your knowledge, skills and experiences in order to convince them that you are the right candidate for the opening.  

Before the interview you should do the following

• Confirm when (date and time) you will be interview and schedule it to your calendar.  Note - make sure you get there at between 10-15 minutes before the interview, and if you get there earlier then that, see if there's an air-conditioned space nearby for you to hang out until an appropriate time for you to walk into your interview.

• Research where you will be interviewing at and identify how you plan to get there. Note - if you're getting a ride from someone,  make sure you confirm with them the day of that they are giving you a ride, and do that early enough to have a backup plan (ride-share, public transit etc.)  

• Know what to wear and make sure its ironed and wrinkle free

• Research the organization and the job be reviewing their website, social media and job description.

• Practice and rehearse your interview (preferably with a partner).  You can use this interview prep worksheet to help you review 1) types of questions they'll ask you, 2) consider questions you'll ask them, 3) think about vocabulary and words to describe your strengths, 4) practice providing evidence of your 

• Print copies of your resume and references to put in a folder and bring with you to give them . Note: if its for a creative position, you'll want to bring work samples and a portfolio of your artistry because anyone can say they are creative, but you want to be able to show.

During the interview

• Before you walk in, wipe off any sweat, make sure you're looking and feeling good, and TURN OFF YOUR PHONE

• When you arrive, find the initial point of contact (receptionist, greeter, host, cashier, etc) and introduce yourself and inform them that you have an appointment, and you will likely be asked to take a seat and wait, and if you are early, its ok to ask if its alright to use the restroom, but if its time for the interview, that'll have to wait.  When seated, do not feel obligated to make small talk, and use this as a last opportunity to rehearse what you're going to say in your head and think positive and courageous thoughts.

•  When its time for your interview, someone will come to the waiting area and call your name; stand up, introduce yourself including a firm handshake* and follow them to the interview room.  If there are other people waiting there, introduce yourself and give them a hand shake before taking a seat.

• Relax, smile, and have fun, knowing that you have done what you needed to do to be your best self

• For all open question that they ask you, give answer that are at least a minute long by answering their questions and pivoting back towards your strengths and evidence that you rehearsed and why you're a good fit for their organization

• Remember, even though it feels like the spotlights on you because their interviewing you, you're also interviewing them to determine if they offer the job whether you would want to accept their offer.  This means that once they finish their questions, they'll often give you a chance to ask 1-2 of your questions. Use the questions to show them what you're curious in and deliver them in a way that shows you've already done your research. 

• As the interview concludes, make sure you know the next steps of the interview process, and thank them with a handshake* for their time and the opportunity

*Note: I am writing this during the Corona Virus Quarantine, and its very possible that norms and expectations may change as a result of the virus.  During the period of an active pandemic, honor social distancing by waiving or bowing, and after the pandemic is over, ask a counselor or mentor their advice about handshakes.