Work

1. Make a career goal for yourself
   • Choose the characteristics you want in a job before you start looking. Expected compensation, chosen industry, opportunity for promotion, training possibilities, and benefits will all be covered.
     • Tip: to determine your salary needs, calculate your living expenses that you need to meet on a monthly basis.
     • Instruction Steps:
       • Track your current monthly expenses to get an accurate picture of how much money you are spending a month.
       • Categorize your expenses and determine which are necessary such as rent and utilities. Then determine which expenses are optional, and you can reduce as required.
       • Create a monthly budget for yourself based on your current spending. This will let you know how much you need to make as a salary or hourly wage in order to meet your expenses.  You can also create a budget based on your desired lifestyle to determine how much you need to earn in order to make an upgrade in your life.
     • As you learn more, look for job postings in want advertisements that fit your goals. Include any limitations you encounter. If you don’t have a car, you need a job that you can perform remotely or while using public transportation. You could require a job with an evening schedule if you attend school during the day.

2. Organizing the paperwork required to submit a job application.
   • If a job in the US is offered to you, you must present your employer with identification (ID). An employee’s right to work in the US must be confirmed by the employer. ID is required to administer benefits, collect taxes, and run background checks.
     • Tip: You must complete a Form 1-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, which includes a list of the identification documents you must present. Generally speaking, you must offer the following: (1) A driver’s license or state-issued photo ID and (2) a social security number and card. Have this information available.
     • Instruction Steps:
       • If you don’t have a social security number (SSI) you need to obtain one.  If you have a SSI but lost your SSI card, you need to obtain a replacement card.  If you don’t have a State ID or driver’s license, you need to obtain one.  Make this a priority.  See my blog post, “Documents you need to manage your personal affairs.”

3. Skills Self-Evaluation
   • Examine your current skills; you might have more employable ones than you realize. List your existing abilities and the ones you need to learn in order to land the job you want. What skills, such as typing or utilizing particular computer programs, have you learned in school? What personal skills have you developed, such as photography, yard care, woodworking, or plumbing?
     • Tip: If you enjoy working with numbers and solving problems, you might excel in roles such as accounting or data analysis.
     • Instruction Steps:
       • List your hobbies and skills.
       • Categorize them into soft skills and hard skills. A soft skill is being able to communicate well.  A hard skill is being able to use a computer application.
       • Analyze this list to identify career paths that match your skills. Search for job ads that list your existing skills as requirements. You can do this in addition to looking for open positions.

4. Looking for jobs
   • Look for employment opportunities on websites like Indeed.com, USAJobs.gov, Monster.com, and Snagajob.com. You can search jobs by city and zip code.
     • Tip: If you’re interested in marketing, read about different roles within this industry such as content marketing, digital marketing, and market research. Such information is available on many of the job websites listed above.
     • Instruction Steps:
       • Research a job search engine like Indeed.com.
       • Search for roles within your field of interest.
       • Read the job descriptions and required qualifications. This will help you see what kinds of jobs are available and what are the skills commonly sought be employers.
     • Make contact with temporary staffing agencies, such as Kelly Services, Robert Half, Labor Solutions, and Manpower.com. Review their websites and schedule an interview to apply for their service, which is finding candidates available temporary jobs.

5. Applying for a job
   • The business will frequently require you provide a cover letter and an online application for entry-level positions.
     • Tip: While some jobs may require a resume, the majority won’t at this level. You can write one if an employer wants one, and writing one forces you to consider how to sum up your qualifications and background. Explain in your cover letter why you are a suitable fit for the job.
     • Instruction Steps:
       • Have your information close at hand to make completing an application less unpleasant. When you are organized, you can concentrate on applying to as many jobs as possible rather than sifting through paperwork.
       • Research the company website so you understand the company’s business and the job requirements. Do a general Internet search on the job title so you can get a better understanding of the position, skill requirements, promotion track and any other information you can obtain.

6. Establish a Web Presence
   • You can post your resume on websites like Indeed.com and Monster.com, for instance. If you are active on social media, you can upload your resume and let your network know that you are looking for work. You can construct a profile on LinkedIn.com that hiring managers will see.
     • Tip: You can upload samples of your work on social media website pages, such as writing samples, artwork, images of things you’ve made, and videos of things you’ve done.
     • Instruction Steps:
       • Create a free account on LinkedIn.com
       • Complete a Profile page which is basically your resume. Many students have a profile page on LinkedIn, so this is not unusual. On Youtube.com there are numerous videos explaining how students, job seekers and the unemployed can create a profile page.  LinkedIn also has a channel on YouTube.com with instructional videos on how to use the site.
       • Reference your LinkedIn profile on your job applications and resume. You can use this profile to connect with people and build a network that can help you with your job search and career development.

7. The Job Interview
   • You may feel stressed and anxious before a job interview. The best response is being prepared. I advise conducting a pre-visit, the day before the interview, so you can easily locate the office the day of the interview.
     • Tip: Be punctual and make an effort to arrive early. Dress professionally for the job. Ask the person who is organizing the interview if you have any questions.
     • Instruction Steps:
       • Use the job websites, to find typical interview questions for your role. Review the questions and answers so it is clear to you how to respond to common questions.  This is merely a matter of practice.
       • Prior to the interview, write down any questions you may have about the job or company. You can ask these questions during the interview.  The interview is a chance for the company to learn about you, but it is also your chance to learn about the company.

8. Follow-up after the Interview
   • Every person you spoke with during a job interview deserves a thank-you email. Send a thank you note within 24 hours. That is a standard curtesy and it is expected.
     • Tip: To find out the status of your application, get in touch with each person you interviewed a few days later after the interview.
     • Instruction Steps:
       • If you liked the interviewer(s), send a request to connect with that person on LinkedIn. If he/she accepts, then that person has become part of your career network.
       • If you make a connect, and don’t get the job, that person may tell you of a job in the future. The worst thing that can happen is that person does not accept the invite to connect.

9. Staying organized
   • Keep all the information you need in one location so you can easily access it when you are applying for jobs.
     • Tip: You can create a single document, so that you can swiftly complete an application, by having your education, employment background, and references handy.
     • Instruction Steps:
       • Keep track of the resumes and applications you have sent.
       • Mark the dates on your calendar for when to respond to employment applications and when to follow up.
       • Establish weekly goals, such as completing 15 applications every week. You will be able to gauge your progress by achieving these goals.

10. Remaining Inspired
    • Learn new skills for free on social media platforms to broaden your skill set and made you a more attractive job candidate.
      • Tip: The job ads will indicate the type of skills required.  If you don’t have a specific skill, search for free material, classes and media where you can learn new skills.
      • Instruction Steps:
        • Once you have identified a skill you need, search on Youtube.com for free videos to improve your skill set.
        • Search for free classes online that may be available that you can learn during this period.
        • If you need to learn new software, look for a demonstration copy you can download and learn.

Most employers and interviewers do not anticipate you will have a lot of experience for an entry-level position. They are expecting someone they can train, and who has an attitude of wanting to work and follow instructions.  To find a job, follow the process, put in the work, and put forth your best effort.