Turning 16 can mean two things to two different types of people.
For the thrill seeker, you can now legally do some of those things that are considered moderately dangerous. For the modern realist, it’s the time that every influential figure in your life nags you to grow up, turn off ‘Spongebob Squarepants’, and enter the world of work.
Get used to the words ‘curriculum vitae’, kids: you’re applying for what may be your first job.
The job
The immediate temptation is to flood back to your childhood and pick that insane career which appeared plausible at the time, whether that be lion tamer, Jurassic Park founder or space cowboy!
Sadly, they don’t exist in this metaphorical ‘world of work’; you’ve got to lower your standards a little bit. Try finding a first job which tailors to your interests, but is suitably realistic: instead of ‘lion tamer’, why not work as a part-time assistant at the RSPCA? Good, eh?
The CV
Hold your horses, space cowboy! Before you start running those brain juices dry thinking about the new job you don’t have yet, you have to make your CV first.
Forget your birth certificate or those precious GCSE results; this will be the most important document of your life now. This is essentially you written down, which can be a good and a bad thing. Ask older siblings, friends, parents, or just search online for tips on how to make the perfect CV. You’ll be very thankful that you did.
Distribution
Handing your CV out sounds perfectly simple, but this is essentially the very first impression that employers get of you.
It can be tempting to just travel to town, with your bundle of CVs and bed hair, and distribute them like our friend Postman Pat. Instead, pick the places best suited towards both your interests and CV, present yourself well, and hand in your applications one at a time. Make sure you have one in your hand and the rest in your bag; it makes it look as if that company is your main (if only) choice, which can only make a good impression for yourself.
Violà, your three-step guide to applying for a job! Good luck and I leave you one piece of advice – if you do get an interview offer, please do not turn up in a tuxedo. Watch the film ‘Step Brothers’ and you may just discover why that can’t be a good idea.
Do you have any more guidelines for those applying for first jobs? Let us know in the comments below!
Photo: In 30 Minutes Guides / Flickr
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