Finding your first job can seem to be a very daunting task! Many people get stuck thinking:

“I can’t get a job because I don’t have experience, and I can’t get job experience because I’ve never had a job!”

Don’t let this get you down! Get ready to grow up a little and make some money. Follow these steps and learn how to land your first job!

ANALYZE

Look at your motives - do you really want to do this? First, you must work out the logistics and also how much effort you are willing to put in. Time to step up and act like an adult! This may sound silly, but you truly need to ask yourself if you are ready and responsible enough for a job...

• Do you have transportation?
• When can you work?
• How much are you willing to work?
• How late can you work?
• Are you willing to clean bathroom/floors daily?

GATHER

Now to present yourself as best you can, you can do it! Here are some things to think about...start a document with your credential

• Your name, contact info, GPA, graduation date, etc.
• Get together everything you have done that is worth noting or shows off some kind of skills you have
  • Awards/ Sports/ Leadership positions
  • Service Projects, Volunteer hours
• Let them know how great you are!
  • write a sentence or two about yourself and what you want to do if you are hired. No one wants to read an essay so keep it to about a couple sentences.
  • list skills you have (and be ready to explain in an interview with an example)
    • Need help with this? Ask a family member or friend to help you list your strengths and accomplishments
• Make a resume from this material and learn about LinkedIn and other places where you can connect with companies that maybe need an intern or office assistant

SEARCH

If in college, look on the college website for a jobs page that shows listings of campus jobs.

• From personal experience, I know these kinds of jobs are the best because they have to take your schedule into consideration and you don't have to worry about transportation costs
• Retail and Restaurants are your best bets when looking for a job, they consistently have opening and are good for entry level employees!
• You do not have to love your first job! It is just your first and it will teach you a lot about yourself!

APPLY

• Be ready to submit a resume and prepare for an interview! You will apply to SO many places and not hear back from a good majority of them.
  • DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED!!!
• Sit down research for places that are hiring and make a list of the places in order of which ones you would want the most, then slowly go through the list and apply to each one. This can be time consuming but you are bound to get a reply from some places if you persist!

Good Luck, take a deep breath, and get ready to grow up and get some of your own money!