Getting your first hourly job can be tough. How are you expected to get experience if employers won’t hire you due to your lack of experience? Should you go ahead and settle for a low-paying job just to get your foot in the door? How high should you set your expectations for a first-time job?
These job tips will help you find the best possible first-time job given your age and lack of work experience:
Know what you’re getting into. It’s important to have realistic expectations about your first job. After all, you are just entering a job market in which many others have been operating for quite some time. Don’t get discouraged, but know what to expect. Talk with a school guidance counselor, your parents or others who have been there. They can provide valuable insight into the reality of the working world. Be prepared with a list of questions so you get the kind of information you need to find your first job.
Prepare yourself. Before looking for a job, learn everything you can about the job search process. HourlyCareers.com has lots of job resources to help you. The Internet is a treasure-trove of information about job hunting, labor laws for teenagers and information about companies. Also, learn how to fill out a job application, prepare a profile and interview for a job.
Spread the word. Many jobs come through referrals from people you know, so it’s important to let everyone know you’re looking for a job. This is where your parents and their friends, teachers, coaches and other adults can be a great resource. Be sure to mention the kind of work you’d like to do, but don’t turn down an opportunity just because it’s not the perfect job. It might lead to the job you really want!
Work to gain experience. Sometimes a job might not be exactly what you’re looking for, but it puts you in contact with people or organizations that might help you in the future. For example, working as an office clerk might not be the most exciting first job, but it might enable you to shadow someone in a job that interests you. Also, don’t be too quick to turn down a volunteer position in your first job. Sometimes the best compensation is experience or access – and future employers look at any work experience as valuable.
Consider your options. Especially in looking for your first job, don’t limit yourself to your dream job or to the first job that comes along. Broaden your thinking to include as many options as possible. Start with your interests and consider all the possibilities. If you like working with animals, jobs might include working at a zoo, an animal shelter or a veterinarian. But what about providing a dog-walking service or taking care of pets while their owners are on vacation? If you like working with computers, you might not get hands-on experience in your first job, but what about a position that gives you access to IT professionals or helps you learn the latest software?
Other options include:
Retail jobs
Cashier jobs
Customer Service jobs
Restaurant Jobs (from greeting to clean-up)