Youth unemployment is double that of unemployment for other job seekers. Here are some tips to help you bust through the stats and get a job!
Assessing Your Skills:
• What things am I most interested in?
• What am I good at? (recreational things, school subjects, volunteer work, relating to other people)
How can this list be applied to actual jobs?
Your Interests/Abilities and Possible Jobs
• Interests: Skateboarding, cycling, hockey, snowboarding, baseball. Jobs: Specialty sales, equipment promotions, equipment design, repair work.
• Interests: Playing and recording music; going to concerts. Jobs: Music store sales; instrument repair; record promotion.
• Interests: Taking care of pets. Jobs: Vet’s assistant; dog groomer
• Interests: Photography. Jobs: Photo journalist; portrait photographer
Check out Career Cruising at www.hpl.ca for information about different occupations (You will need a library card to access this database.)
Where to Look:
• Employment Centres
• Networking – talk to all your family, friends, and neighbours, and let them know you are job searching. Tell them the kind of job you are looking for and ask them if they know of any openings and to ask people that they know. Ask permission to use their name when you follow-up on these leads.
• Pound the Pavement – identify places where you would like to work and get out and call on them.
o Go alone !
o Be prepared for an “on the spot” interview – dress neatly and have copies of your resume and references ready.
o Arrive at a time when it’s not busy – the morning is often quieter.
o Ask to speak to the Manager – introduce yourself and briefly tell the employer what position you are interested in, and what skills and experience you have to offer. If the Manager is not there or busy ask for his/her name and when they will be available.
o Don’t just ask, “Are you hiring?” or drop off your resume and run.
o If the manager says they are not hiring ask if you can leave your resume and check back in a couple of weeks. Be sure to follow up.
• Newspapers/The Internet
o Hamilton Spectator, Mountain News
o Kijiji
o Service Canada Job Bank
o Indeed.ca
Application Forms:
Many employers will ask you to fill out an application form. Follow all the instructions and answer every question. Write neatly and check everything over before handing it in. If a section doesn’t apply to you write N/A (not applicable) to show the employer that you didn’t miss this question. Don’t forget to sign the form.
References:
References are people who can say good things about your abilities and your work habits. List three names, position and company, telephone numbers and email addresses on a separate sheet of paper to take with you to an interview. Choose former employers, teachers or coaches as references, not friends or family members. Ask permission before you list someone as a reference and give them a copy of your resume.
Some tips for resume/cover letters/thank you letters:
• Use the same font (consistency)
• Use size 11 or 12 font (easier to read)
• Copy your header from your resume to other documents (looks professional)
• Save as type “rich text” format (easier for all word processing programs to open)
Submitted by Job Discovery Centres @ Hamilton Public Library
