The Job Search

Looking for a part-time or summer job?

Some pointers

If you’re sixteen and this is going to be your first job, you should go to the nearest Canada Employment Centre and apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN). Be sure to bring your birth certificate or, if you were born in another country, your Canadian citizenship card or a passport with a landed immigrant stamp. You will also need a second piece of identification with your name on it, such as a driver’s licence, library card, student card or age of majority card. If you’re under sixteen, this is a detail you don’t need to worry about yet.

If you are planning to look for a formal job, you’ll also need to write up a resume.

Resumes

Why is a resume important?

A resume is YOU when you’re not there. It’s a word picture of you designed not only to give a potential employer your factual data, but also to create an impression with him/her. In a glance it tells him/her why he/she should (or should not) hire you. If he/she can’t hire you right away, a resume is a useful document to have on file.

There are several types of resumes of which the most common is a combination of a list of skills and talents in order of importance as well as a chronological list in reverse order, of relevant experience. For help with creating a resume, go to: www.myfuture.com/career/objective.html

A few quick resume tips

  • Your resume should be NO MORE than two pages.
  • Put most important information first.
  • Customize your resume for the job you are applying for, by highlighting the skills the job requires.
  • Use action words to describe your skills such as: analyse, coordinate, assist, develop, conduct, organise.
  • Have someone else (preferably an experienced adult) proof read your resume for spelling and grammatical errors.

Cover Letter

This is the letter that will accompany your resume and serves as an introduction to your future (hopefully!) employer.

First impressions count, so take some time to prepare it. The impression you make with your cover letter may decide whether you get an interview or not.

Use the following tips to make sure your cover letter “opens that door for you”:

  • Personalise your cover letter using the employer's name. Make sure you spell it correctly!
  • Limit it to one page.
  • Be sure to type it.
  • Make sure it shows energy and enthusiasm.
  • The tone should be friendly without being too familiar.
  • Don't forget to indicate where and how you can be reached.
  • Refer to qualifications, experience and skills described in the ad.
  • Describe the personality traits that make you stand out.
Layout

1st paragraph – why you are writing/ how you found out about the job
2nd paragraph – what you have to offer to the job/ why you are the best for the job (give specific examples)
3rd paragraph – what the employer has that interests you
4th paragraph – request an interview to discuss your qualifications/ indicate how you can be reached

For help with your cover letter:
www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/elemsec/job/prospect/eng/12.html
OR
www.careerccc.org/products/cp_99_e/section2/recipe.html

Interviews

  • Research the company prior to an interview.
  • Bring a list of any questions you have.
  • Think about your answer before speaking, do not ramble or use slang.
  • Show your enthusiasm for the job and make eye contact with your interviewer.
  • Before leaving, offer to leave your references.
  • Do not forget to thank your interviewer with a firm handshake and a follow-up thank you letter.
For help getting ready for your interview, go to:
www.theedgemag.org/english/jobhunt/en_jh_to.html

Thank You Letter

Shortly (within a day or so) after your interview, write the employer a thank you letter to thank him/her for taking time to tell you about the job and giving you the opportunity to present yourself as a potential candidate for the position.

This letter can give you another chance of impressing the employer and may just give you an advantage over someone else.

For help with your thank you letter, go to:
www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/elemsec/job/prospect/eng/12.html

Some ideas of where to look for job opportunities

  • Check billboards at the local grocery store
  • Go to Student Services in your school and ask your guidance counsellor
  • Do some networking. Ask people in your entourage if they know of anyone who might be looking for help. Family members (aunts, uncles, cousins etc) or family friends or parents of friends can often be very helpful in this department.
Check out some of these websites:

Return to Teens Talk Issues
Sources
www.edu.gov.on.ca
www.theedgemag.org
www.myfuture.com
Brock University Career Services
© 2002 Teens Talk