How to Conduct a Job Search

Whether searching for a job while in high school, in college or once

you graduate, knowing the following tips for success will help

you navigate the process

How to Conduct a Job Search

• Before you begin a job search, think about where you would like to work and the type of work that you would like to do

• The ideal position would be one that allows you to explore and gain experience in careers you are considering for the future

Before Your Search

• Remember, by exploring careers while in high school you have the opportunity to identify exactly what career you want to pursue so you can select colleges that have the majors that will help you enter that career field

• It is ok if you are not able to get one of these ideal jobs as your first job, but it never hurts to try and start talking with people about your future goals

Before Your Search

Advice for Teens:“…if you love animals, check with local veterinarians to see if they are hiring. If you'd prefer working with children, check with your local YMCA (many have after-school child care programs and summer camps) or child care centers. Fast food restaurants and retail establishments rely on workers without experience and are willing to train new employees. Local libraries often hire teens to help put away books. During the summer, amusement parks and summer camps offer a variety of summer jobs for teens.”

Source: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/teenstudentgrad/a/teenjobsearch.htm

Job Opportunities for Teens

Teachers, ask your students the following question and have them share their ideas:

How would you find a job if you needed one today?

Job Market

In the past, most jobs were found through job postings either in newspapers, through online or printed job boards and through the employers website.

These are all ways to find advertised openings

Example: www.monster.com is one of the biggest online job boards

available

Job Market

• A new trend has emerged over the last few years termed the hidden job market

• The hidden job market is when employers do not advertise jobs

• They use personal recommendations or direct contacts to fill any openings they have

Hidden Job Market

The best way to use the hidden job market is to use networking

Networking as described by the Career Services Office at Yale:“It’s building, creating and nurturing professional connections and relationships. It enables you to learn about different industries, careers, organizations and, at times, job opportunities. It is not simply acquiring business cards and adding names to your “LinkedIn” account – it is taking the time to get to know people in the areas in which you are interested and staying in touch with them throughout your career.”

“Networking is considered the most effective way of finding a job – particularly in challenging economic times. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 70% of all jobs are found through networking. Through networking you can uncover job opportunities that might not yet – or never - be posted on job-sites, or create an opportunity that did not previously exist.”

Source: http://ucs.yalecollege.yale.edu/content/networking

Networking

• Let’s try it out– Think of a career you are interested in – just

pick one if you aren’t sure– You will now have 10 minutes to walk around

the room and talk to at least five people– Ask them if they know anyone who is currently

working in the career you wrote down or someone who would know someone in that career field

Networking Exercise

• Teachers, after 10 minutes ask the students to share what they learned from the experience

– How many people did they find that know someone in their chosen career?

– Why do they believe networking is important?

Networking Exercise

• When networking, “you can take a direct approach and ask for job leads or try a less formal approach and ask for information and advice. Contact everyone you know. You may be surprised by the people they know.”

• “Email is a perfectly acceptable way to network as well. Keep your message brief and to the point and be sure to check your spelling, grammar, and punctuation.”

• “If you are attending a holiday gathering or any other type of party, it is appropriate to mention in casual conversation that you are seeking employment.”

Source: http://jobsearch.about.com/cs/networking/a/networking.htm

Networking

Teachers, ask students:So who is part of your network?• Family members• Neighbors• Friends• Teachers• Previous employers• EVERYONE!

Networking

• Another way to network is to use the internet

• One of the most popular sites to use is LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com)– It serves as an online resume and allows you

to make connections with people and build off of those connections to establish your professional network

Networking

• Another way to access the hidden job market is to make direct contact with employers

• Calling or stopping by to talk with the hiring managers to inquire about current open positions or future positions is a direct contact job search

Direct Contact Job Search

• Keep in mind that whenever you are stopping by or simply picking up or turning in an application you need to be dressed appropriately.

• A good rule of thumb is to dress one level higher than what is required for the job.

• First impressions are very important

Direct Contact Job Search

• Even if the manager is not there, the employee that helps you has the opportunity to provide their opinion to the hiring manager so make sure you make a good first impression

• Something as simple as picking up an application to work at a restaurant and having dirty fingernails may prevent you from getting an interview

Direct Contact Job Search

• No matter what method you use to search for a job (a little of all three methods would be best), you need to make sure you follow up

– When you make first contact with an employer make sure you know who and when to contact to check on the status

• Ask when will you be setting up interviews?• When will you be making the decision of who to hire?• Who can I contact to follow up?

Follow Up

Before you begin a job search make sure your paperwork is in order• Always make sure you have an up-to-date resume (you

never know when someone with the perfect job will ask you to see it)

You also want to make sure that if an employer “Google’s” you that what they see is not going to scare them away from hiring you!• Make sure that what is shown on social media sites

represents you in a positive manner!

What to Do Now

The final thing you need to know when planning to work while in high school is that there are New Mexico Child Labor Law’s• As a minor when you are making decisions about when and where

you will be working, it is important to know what the laws are. You are anxious to obtain work as it will provide you with spending money and work experience. However, certain laws have been enacted to protect youth from exploitation and provide safe working conditions. The following information is a brief synopsis of NM labor law information.

Source: https://www.dws.state.nm.us/careersolutions/CSS-LaborLaw.html

Work Permits

Minimum Age• The minimum age for employment is fourteen (14).

There are restrictions on occupations and hours. There are some specific laws covering child performers in the entertainment industry and exceptions for employment by a parent or to sell/deliver newspapers.

Source: https://www.dws.state.nm.us/careersolutions/CSS-LaborLaw.html

Work Permits

If you are under 16 and trying to get a job, your employer may require you to get a work permit

from the school. You will need see Mrs. Schunk, in the front office to get the required paperwork. Once you and your employer fill it out, you will

need to return it to Mrs. Schunk. She will send it to Santa Fe to the NM Department of Workforce Solutions. This documentation is required to

comply with the Child Labor laws.

Work Permits

• Students: – Your teacher is going to now pass out the Quality of

Education surveys that Mr. Resch has provided for your class.

– Please take these surveys home and encourage your parent/guardian to fill it out

– Completed surveys need to be returned to your 5th period teacher by March 14th.

• As your teacher hands out these surveys please take out a piece of paper and pen or pencil (see next slide for instructions of what to write)

Finishing Up

• Write your name and today’s date in the top right of the paper and across the top write Job Search Strategies

• Write down at least five people that you know who you can talk to in order to start a job search

• Write down at least three different ways you can search for a job• This information will be shared with your parents during your Student Led

Conference in March• Students as you write down the information below your teacher is going to now

pass out the Quality of Education surveys that Mr. Resch has provided for your class.– Please take these surveys home and encourage your parent/guardian to fill

it out– Completed surveys need to be returned to your 5th period teacher by March

14th.

Finishing Up