Job Resources

The Basics of Getting a Job

Figure out who you are and what you have to offer:

• Talk to people who know and like you… how would they describe you?
• Look at some lists of skills & character traits… which ones best describe you?
• Rate your Work-Place Skills (is there anything you need to work on?)
• List your accomplishments & experience

Learn about some job options:

• Check out your schools Career Center
• www.snocoyouthworks.org (jobs, mentorships, internships)
• www.worksourcewa.com (Career Tools / Career One Stop / Skills & Interest Assessments)
• https://www.facebook.com/AmeriCorpsYouthCareerNavigation/ (Watch for job fairs & events)
• Typical teen job options:
  •  Retail (Grocery, Clothing, or other stores/shops)
  •  Fast Food / Food Service / Restaurant Work
  • Amusement Centers
  • Helping Neighbors (childcare, yard work, pets)
  • Manual Labor
  • Neighborhood Youth Programs
  • Community Service Organizations and Non-profit

Experience / Training / Certifications that might help you:

• CPR & First Aid Training (schools, fire departments, Red Cross, private companies)
• Food Handler’s Permit
• Babysitting Certifications
• Volunteering can get you valuable experience and connections!

Prepare your resume, and get some help to make it the best it can be:

• Understand that you may have more than one resume at a time, as you target specific jobs.
• Get it copied onto nice paper for sharing in person.
• Save as a pdf for uploading online.

The steps to bringing it all together and making it happen:

• Make sure you have/know your Social Security Number, valid identification, and a plan for transportation.
• Make sure you have a good phone number and email address for professional contact purposes.
• Consider preparing a 30-60 Second Commercial / Elevator pitch to use at hiring events and in job interviews.
• Learn to fill out a job application; create a Master Application you can use when filling each of them out.
• Find people to serve as references (get their permission) & to write letters of recommendation for you.
• Learn to write a cover letter. Create one for each job application. (When required)
• Learn about how to do well in job interviews. (Get some appropriate interview clothes.)
• Learn how to network, and do it! 80% of jobs are filled this way!
• Start your search! Apply for several jobs, and don’t get discouraged if it takes a while! And don’t be afraid to
• just walk into places you’d like to work and ask if they are hiring. Fill out an application either way.

• Youth WorkSource
• Craigslist Jobs
• Snagajob Jobs for Teens in Snohomish County 
• YouthForce Job Search (Boys & Girls Club)
• City of Seattle Jobs for Teens
• Alderwood Mall Jobs 
• Port of Seattle High School Internships (16+)
• Snohomish County PUD Internships (16+)

Job postings from businesses hiring nearby, and leads on other employment opportunities for students (organized by years of age).

Many jobs for high school students are found via word-of-mouth. Utilize your friends and family to find out about local job openings.; talk to the managers at businesses and restaurants which you and your family frequent; or stop by and drop off your resume or letter of introduction. Many local small businesses do not post job openings - they wait for interested applicants to contact them!!

• Job Postings for 14+

  • Updates coming soon!

• Job Postings for 16+

  • Updates coming soon!

• Job Postings for 18+

  • Updates coming soon!

Sample Job Application

Work Authorization Form

• Parent/School Authorization Forms are for parents (or legal guardians) and school officials to indicate approval for a minor employee to work accordingly to the terms listed by the employer and within the limits of the child labor regulations. Are you working during the school year and need your paperwork signed? Contact the Career Center for help!

Youth Employment Guide

Know Your Rights

No formal work experience? No Problem:

• Emphasize informal work, like babysitting, snow shoveling, volunteering, and school programs.

​Tell a Story:

• Review the job description and look for experience that demonstrates your fitness for the role.
• Don't forget attitude and performance:
• If you have excellent grades, perfect attendance, or other signs of maturity and dedication, be sure to mention them in your resume.

Proofread & Edit:

• Make sure your final product is error-free and professional in appearance.

OBJECTIVE

• Your resume objective should provide a short, simple and clear statement about the kind of position you wish to obtain.
• An objective is not required for your resume, but it can help show the reader how the job position or program relates to your personal goals. Here are some examples:
  • "Summer internship in the Biology Lab"
  • "Obtain a position in which I can learn more about business and finance"
  • "Part-time sales position in retail"
• If you're not sure about your objective, think about jobs that use skills and talents that you have or positions that could help you learn more about areas that interest you. You can record as many objectives as you want here and choose a specific one to print later.

SUMMARY

• A summary statement is a quick way to highlight the most significant accomplishments and skills on your resume.
• It helps the reader quickly understand what sets you apart and puts your best foot forward right away. The best format is a series of short sentences that contain actual accomplishments or skills.
• Some examples are:
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Proven leadership skills with multiple leadership positions
  • Three years of retail sales experience
  • National Merit Scholarship finalist
• Ideally, the summary contains items that relate directly to the most important skills required for the job or program. You can create multiple summary statements here, so you may want to create several versions that emphasize particular strengths depending on the situation.

EXPERIENCE

• One of the keys to writing a good resume is to learn how to write short "snippets" that demonstrate what you did (action) and what you accomplished (result).
• You can make your work experience a lot more relevant and informative to the reader if you use this style.
• Examples of snippets:
  • Organized records into an online database for easier administration
  • Consistently sold more than monthly quota
  • Tutored students in math to improve SAT scores by an average of 200 points
• For work experience, make sure you list any job that gave you useful experience or skills. Even if you didn't get paid, you worked for a parent or relative, or you worked for yourself, you probably still gained valuable experience and accomplished something meaningful.

EDUCATION

• Include coursework related to your job objective, apprenticeships, workshops or seminars.
• Even if it does not directly relate to a job, it can be helpful to list other interesting things you have studied to show that you are a well-rounded person.
• Note any significant accomplishments such as a high GPA or a leadership position.

VOLUNTEER SERVICES / EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

• Note any special accomplishments or leadership positions with your volunteer service.
• As you look for volunteer service opportunities, think about something that you would enjoy committing to on a regular basis. Spending more time on fewer activities can provide you with an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution and demonstrate your commitment.
• Don't worry about listing only the "right" activities. Try to note everything you've done and you can always select just a few items for a printed resume.
• Include anything where you have taken a leadership position, developed a significant skill or accomplished something.

SKILLS / ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

• Do you have technical skills such as computer programming or proficiency with processors and spreadsheets? Make sure you list specific languages or programs.
• If you have accomplished specific things with your skill, make note of it (e.g. developed a website for a local band using Microsoft .NET).
• Have you developed any skills on your own? This shows initiative and willingness to learn, which is valuable to any employer.

MUSIC / ARTISTIC / ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT

• Musical and artistic achievement requires a lot of hard work.
• Emphasize the work that has gone into your achievements.
• Note any recognition or advancement (e.g. was promoted to first soloist, etc.)
• Make sure you note any leadership positions or awards.

LEADERSHIP

• List any leadership experience you may have.
• Examples may be positions, offices, or experiences you can point to.

REFERENCES

• Make sure you have permission from each person listed to use them as a reference.
• Verify with each reference how they would prefer to be contacted.
• References can make a big difference. When you start a job, always think about how your supervisor would describe you to others. Don't be afraid to ask them how they see your strengths and weaknesses. If you show a willingness to listen and to learn, they may end up being a really strong reference for you.

Format

• Your resume should be appealing and easy to read.
  • Can the employer quickly find the information they need?
• Watch the length (1 page is ideal for entry-level candidates but can be exceeded, if necessary)
• Develop brief action statements with bullet points.
• Include (but not limited to) the following sections:
  • Objective or Professional Summary (1-2 sentences describing why you are qualified for the job)
  • Key Highlights/Skills (list the skills, certifications, and/or technologies you know well)
  • Experience (starting with the most recent-list past employers, related projects and/or activities)
  • Education (degrees you have completed and/or are working on, as well as, relevant classes)

Tailored to the Job

• Think of your resume as an advertisement: You need to convince the employer that not only are you a good candidate for the position, you are the best candidate for the position.
• Employers want to see that you understand what is involved in working for them and that you have ideas about how you could contribute to the team.
  • Make sure you highlight any particular skills, experience or education that pertains to the job.
  • Include most important and relevant information at the top of your resume.
  • Your do not need to list every project or jobs that aren't relevant. Summarize, but be inclusive.
• Do some research on the company before applying.
  • Know what it is they do, what their company policies and goals are, who their business partners are, and what they look for in employees,
  • Make sure that their values and practices are in-line with your own.

Language

• Be sure to use clear, concise language to get your information across. Be thorough, but brief.
• Use short phrases and succinct points rather than completed sentences.
• Use professional vocabulary, and employ action verbs/words where possible.

Spellcheck & Proofread

Before you submit your resume, make sure you use spell check for grammar; Proofread for spelling, capitalization, or punctuation errors. After, have someone proofread the document.

Keywords are Key

• When an employer searches a database, they use keywords. This should mean a couple of things to the resume writer:
  • Include relevant keywords in your resume (industry specific, often found in job postings)
  • A list of keywords that do not represent your expertise should be avoided.

​Save in Multiple Formats

• You may need formatted and non-formatted versions of your resume for various modes of distribution.
• Make sure to convert your work document into a PDF to retain the original formatting if sending as an attachment.
• It is also important that you save your resume using the following file name: firstname_lastname_resume

Resume Review

• Review your finished resume for omissions, common errors, and suggestions for additional sections that highlight your skills and/or past experience.

Example Resume / Template

Example Resumes by Job Title

How-to Write Your First Resume + Template (YouTube)

5 Resume Mistakes You Need to Avoid (YouTube)

• Demonstrate your communication skills through the cover letter.
• Always mention the name of your contact (a familiar name gets attention).
• Say something nice about the company you apply to and include your knowledge of the company and their practices.
• Use appropriate industry terminology in your writing. You can learn this by researching the field you are considering.
• Mention in the letter that you are enclosing your resume and refer them to it's contents.
• End by thanking them for their time and consideration of your application.
• Personally sign the letter (if sending in the mail).
• ​Experience to consider: projects you’ve worked on as a leader or a member, sports team you either led or joined, your role in student worker positions (research, teaching assistant, work-study or internships).
• Use accomplishment statements to support your position as the most qualified candidate for this role (use our accomplishment statement worksheet below to practice).
• Focus on highlighting initiatives you’ve spearheaded, new product or program development. You would also want to discuss your leadership ability, communication and creative skills, and team work.

Purpose of the Cover Letter

• To get an employer to read your resume
• To acquaint the employer with your unique skills/experience
• To get you an interview
• To enhance your resume

Cover Letter Basics

• Always goes with a resume
• One-page document (usually 3-4 paragraphs)
• Clear, concise, and specific to position; error free
• Addressed to a specific person-name and title (not "to whom it may concern"; if you do not have a direct point of contact, use "Dear Prospective Employer" or "Dear [title of person]")
• Plan your letter before you write it
• Research the company - know what they want; tell them how you can fit their employment needs
• Have your cover letter critiqued by the Career Center

Information to Include in a Cover Letter

Cover letters convey three major points:

• The job you are applying for, where you hear about the job, and your interest in the position.
  • If it is a job you hear about, state the source and the date of advertisement, if applicable.
• Your qualifications.
  • Emphasize the qualification that may have been specifically mentioned in the job lead or are necessary for the position to which you are applying. Highlight these qualification by utilizing examples.
• Ways the employer can follow-up with you.
  • List your phone number and email in the final paragraph (make sure to use a professional email address and voicemail message).

Cover Letter Builder

Cover Letter Checklist

Cover Letter Example(s):

• Internship
• Full-Time Employment