Tap Into Your Skills: Job Hunting for Teens

Sure, you want a job or maybe you need a job but no matter which situation you are in, did you know that much of your job success depends on you?

How often do you hear someone say, “What a break he got! That’s the perfect job for him!” or “She was lucky to find a job she loves”?

Well, it might be a matter of luck but chances are, it was also a matter of knowing how to match up skills with the right job.

Complete these four statements.

What I love to do more than anything else is ________________.

People often praise me for my talent in ___________________.

I would love to learn more about ________________________.

If someone needed my help,
I could show or teach that person how to ________________.

By taking a look at those answers, you might have found a nugget of self-discovery which will help you narrow down your job search and which will help employers know why they should hire you.

Let’s take an example. Let’s say you love working with animals more than anything else. Then looking for a job as a dog walker, horse groomer, zoo worker, or kennel assistant might be perfect for you. Apply a bit of creative thinking and you might also consider helping to set up, clean and maintain home aquariums or you might provide pet car services to neighbors while they are on vacation.

If you don’t feel you have the particular skills needed for a job then consider what it is you would like to learn. If you think you might like to own a restaurant someday, then get the “hands on” knowledge by working in catering or in the kitchen. If you think you might want to be involved in police or emergency services work, then learn what kinds of jobs you might fill that will get you as close to the “action” as possible. Working as a security guard, park monitor or life guard can give you a good feeling of what is required to work in a career with high public contact and in situations which require alertness to your surroundings.

Once you have identified some skills or desires, then you’ll be much better prepared to go job hunting. For one thing, you’ll now have a motivation beyond the paycheck and for another, that spark of inner drive will also be seen by potential employers.

Last tip: Don’t be shy in talking about your “dreams”, talents or skills either on the job application or in the job interview.  Employers are looking for people who can not only “do” a job but who are eager to share what they know as well as to learn new skills.

 

 

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