Youth Looking for Jobs
With the summertime approaching, youth are out looking for summer time employment. While this is an important aspect of building employment skills for the future, does this younger generation realize and possess the etiquette required to land the job? Do they understand what the generations before them are looking for in future employees? Young employment seekers should consider these important questions when hitting the pavement and looking for work.
Some younger people may receive guidance from parents, counselors, or other adults who have outside work experience, while other youth may find it necessary to learn these skills on their own. From whom they learn the skills can be irrelevant as long as they are learning basic business etiquette to land the job they want.
If know of a young person looking for employment and they are not sure where to start, use these tips to help guide them through the beginning process.
- Leave the phone in the car. When you text and talk on the phone while completing a job application, you demonstrate that you are not serious about looking for a job. Focus on completing the application and getting an interview. Socialize about it later.
- Dress appropriately. Even if you are going into a fast food restaurant or some other casual environment, how you dress will say a lot about how you will approach the job. You need to stand apart from other applicants.
- Know why you are looking for a summer time job. This is a common interview question, and you want to be prepared to answer it if the employer gives you an on the spot interview. Being prepared for anything is an important lesson.
It is important for employed adults to work with the up and coming generation to create success for everyone. If you know of youth that are out looking for employment, work with them to help them create the best first impression. Even if they do not get the first job they for which they apply, they will eventually find employment. If you have time, become a mentor. This generation needs the same guidance and attention as previous generations to be successful at work. Provide examples and let them know what leaders and business owners are seeking.
How youth approach applying for work now will influence their approach in the future. Without guidance, these first steps can be frustrating. We have to ask ourselves, how successful do we want the next generations to be, and how much effort are we willing to put toward creating success?
