Post High School Work
Going to work after High School?
The world of work can be overwhelming if you’re a graduating student with little or no work experience.
- Stay focused on the task at hand.
When you’ve just graduated, it’s easy to feel like you haven’t got much to offer. There are many points working in your favor. Your skills and knowledge are freshly acquired, you’re up on the latest industry trends, and with your computer skills than most older workers. Some employers even look for less-experienced candidates they can mold to fit their workplace.
- Network.
Networking simply means letting as many people as possible know that you’re looking for work and what sort of job you want. Your parents, relatives, teachers and summer employers are all part of your network, along with your friends and fellow students. In fact, you’re probably already a pro at networking on Facebook and other social networking sites. Now, you need to dress nicely and take it into the real world!
- Use a range of job-hunting strategies.
To complement traditional approaches like responding to want ads, try more proactive approaches like checking out online job boards and making cold calls to prospective employers or starting your own business. Don’t overlook government or industry employment programs designed for students and young people.
- Build a resume.
Create a well-structured resumé that’s tailored to the opening at hand and clearly sets out your skills, experience and career objectives. Ask someone with impeccable language skills to make sure it’s error-free. With a short work history, it’s important to play up what you do bring to the table. Look back at your studies, summer jobs, volunteer work and extracurricular activities and identify the skills you picked up along the way, like managing projects or leading teams. Highlight them in your resumé.Give your application extra kick with positive references from teachers or other contacts.
- Prepare for Interviews!
Brush up on your interview techniques before you go. Get a study partner to put you through possible questions and prepare answers to tricky questions ahead of time. Highlight your up-to-the-minute skills and eagerness to learn. Research each company in advance. Show up on time, nicely dressed and well-groomed. Always be professional, friendly and courteous. Demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position and send a thank-you note afterwards.
- Be flexible and creative.
If you still aren’t getting offers, think outside the box. Ask about employers’ needs and pitch your own idea for a position. Offer to take on tasks others don’t want to handle, or propose combining two jobs into one. If budget is the problem, suggest starting at a lower salary or working part-time or on a project basis. The important thing is to get your foot in the door and gain experience. You’d be surprised how often short-term openings become long-term careers!
(from Kerry Knapp, Monster Contributing Writer)
What is a Resume?
Your resume is a summary of your personal data, your educational background and training, your business or professional experience and qualifications, and your achievement highlights. ... Your resume should touch on all things which influence your qualifications for a particular position or type of employment.
There are many examples online.
What is an Apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a paid job. Someone who is new to the field (the apprentice) learns the skills needed for the job. Apprentices are trained by master craftsmen, who are experts in their field. They share their skills and knowledge to help the apprentice become an expert too.
An apprenticeship is also a school. Apprenticeships include classroom lessons to make sure the apprentice masters all aspects of the job.
There are apprenticeships for nearly any job you can imagine: from high-tech manufacturing to health care.
Some examples are: machinist, electrician, dental assistant, pipefitters, wind turbine technician