This article was co-authored by Amber Rosenberg, PCC and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD. Amber Rosenberg is a Professional Life Coach, Career Coach, and Executive Coach based in the San Francisco Bay Area. As the owner of Pacific Life Coach, she has 20+ years of coaching experience and a background in corporations, tech companies, and nonprofits. Amber trained with the Coaches Training Institute and is a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
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Ah, your first job. With it comes some responsibility, sure, but that paycheck gives you money to buy things you want or go out with your friends. If you're ready to join the workforce, we've gathered some tips on how to look for and land the job you want—no experience required. Not ready to work for someone else? You can also start your own business and make money doing something that you love.
Steps
Help with Interviews, Resumes, and Letters of Recommendation
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QuestionWhat is a cover letter for?Amber Rosenberg, PCCAmber Rosenberg is a Professional Life Coach, Career Coach, and Executive Coach based in the San Francisco Bay Area. As the owner of Pacific Life Coach, she has 20+ years of coaching experience and a background in corporations, tech companies, and nonprofits. Amber trained with the Coaches Training Institute and is a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
Career CoachThe cover letter should be addressed to the hiring manager or owner. It's where you make your case for why you would be a good fit for the company. The goal is to help you land an interview, and you should use the cover letter to explain anything that may not be obvious just from looking at your resume. For example, as a teenager your resume may be kind of short. You could use the cover letter to explain that you don't have a lot of work experience because you're young.
References
- ↑ https://www.careeronestop.org/GetMyFuture/Employment/find-job-openings.aspx
- ↑ https://www.careeronestop.org/GetMyFuture/employment/ideas-for-first-jobs.aspx
- ↑ https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/whd/youthrules/YouthEmploymentGuide.pdf
- ↑ https://blog.careeronestop.org/5-tips-teens-looking-summer-job/
- ↑ https://www.reynolds.k12.or.us/rhs/job-search-tips-teens
- ↑ https://www.cityofboston.gov/images_documents/Teen_Resume_Guide_tcm3-31427.pdf
- ↑ https://www.careeronestop.org/GetMyFuture/employment/job-applications.aspx
- ↑ https://talent.works/2019/02/15/dear-addie-should-i-follow-up-after-submitting-an-application/
- ↑ https://aec.arlingtonva.us/teen-summer-job-expo/summer-job-search-faqs/
- ↑ https://aec.arlingtonva.us/teen-summer-job-expo/summer-job-search-faqs/
- ↑ https://aec.arlingtonva.us/teen-summer-job-expo/summer-job-search-faqs/
- ↑ https://aec.arlingtonva.us/teen-summer-job-expo/summer-job-search-faqs/
- ↑ https://aec.arlingtonva.us/teen-summer-job-expo/summer-job-search-faqs/
- ↑ https://money.usnews.com/careers/applying-for-a-job/articles/what-teens-must-know-before-starting-a-first-job
- ↑ https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/whd/youthrules/YouthEmploymentGuide.pdf
About This Article
If you’re a teen looking for your first job, it can be hard to know where to start. However, with a resume and some strong references, you’ll soon be on the right track to finding work! If you’re under 18, start by contacting your local labor department to get any permits you need. To impress potential employers, you’ll also need to put together a resume listing any relevant experience. Don’t worry if you’ve never had a job before. You can list things like any education you’ve had and experience you might have gained doing volunteer work or participating in extracurricular activities. Ask a few trusted adults you’ve worked with, such as teachers, coaches, or mentors, if they can be personal or professional references for you. When you’re ready to start your job hunt, check online job listings or ask around among family and friends to find out about openings. Make sure to follow any job application instructions carefully! Keep reading for tips on how to ace your first interview.