If you’re a teen or young adult, job hunting can be daunting. It may seem like every offer you see requires at least two years of experience. You may wonder, “How can I get experience if no one will hire me?” Don’t worry – there are entry-level positions out there. You’ll work many jobs in your lifetime and this article is written to get you started. I’ll cover everything: how to research jobs, how to create a resume, and what entry-level jobs may be available to you. I’ll even discuss the benefits and drawbacks of temp agencies. Read on for more information!
Use the Internet to Research Jobs
Thankfully, you have several options when it comes to finding jobs on the internet. Some of the top job search websites are:
- CareerBuilder
- Indeed
- Job.com
- Glassdoor
- Getwork/LinkUp
- Monster
- Google Careers
- ZipRecruiter
Since there are so many, I can’t possibly cover them all in one article. However, I have provided links to each and will go into more detail about the ones that you don’t see linked above.
Indeed
Indeed is a really easy website to use. All you need to do is type the job title, keywords, or company you’re looking for, and add where you’d like to work. (You can even write “remote” if you’d prefer to find remote work.) From there, you simply click on the “Find jobs” button to view several applicable jobs in the area. You can create a resume online or upload one, and you can even send a cover letter and reference letters.
Indeed even has a job assessment feature that allows you to take tests for different fields. This is a great way to demonstrate your capability, even if the job you’re applying for isn’t one you necessarily have a great deal of experience in. As long as the job doesn’t require certain prerequisites, you could end up being noticed by a prospective employer.
Glassdoor
Glassdoor is similar to Indeed, but it takes a bit more time to set up. In order to use Glassdoor, you must either create an account or sign in with Facebook/Google. From there you’ll need to create a profile. As you develop your profile, you’ll be entering the same information you’d list on your resume. (If you’d like, you can also upload a resume.) From there, enter your job preferences. List where you are in your job search, the job titles you’d like and what type of jobs you’re open to.
If you’d rather not enter all that information from the start, though, you can opt to click the search bar at the top and filter your jobs the same way you did on Indeed. Enter job titles, companies, or keywords, along with the location, and hit the search icon.
Google Careers
Did you know that Google has a Career search page? Enter the job title you’re interested in above, and then add your location. Similar to Glassdoor and Indeed, you can save the jobs that you like. However, some of the jobs listed on Google careers don’t list starting pay, so be sure to ask once you’re through with the application phase.
Everything You Need to Know About Resumes
No one can conduct a successful job search without having a top-notch resume. In this section, we’ll cover what the purpose of a resume is, what to put on it, and show you some sample resumes and resume-building tools.
The Purpose of a Resume
The purpose of a resume is to get you an interview. The resume gives your potential employer an idea of what your experience and qualifications are. You can also list your volunteer work and awards you’ve won, especially if you’re just starting out. Once you’ve established yourself in the working world, employers will look for steady job history and positive progression. Resumes also demonstrate your communication skills. Emphasize your strengths to impress prospective employers.
What Should You Put on a Resume?
Every resume should contain certain information. Here I’ll provide a breakdown of each element to add to your resume and a brief summary about it.
Contact Information
You can write a stunning resume, but without contact information, no one will know whose it is. A resume without contact information is the working equivalent of turning in an assignment without your name on it. You need your information (including address, phone number, and email) if you want that stellar resume to result in a great job.
Summary/Objective
Most resumes have a Summary or Objective section. You can create custom resumes for certain jobs you’re interested in and highlight relevant information on each one if you’d like. Alternately, you can create a general resume that you can distribute anywhere you want to work. If you choose to create a custom resume for each niche you’re interested in, be sure that the Objective section is different.
Work History
You may not have a lot of work history starting out, and that’s OK. Perhaps you babysat for a family friend or mowed someone’s lawn. You can put down odd jobs as your work history. It will establish that, though your experience isn’t as vast as others, you have a history of a work ethic. Listing some of those as work references will help too.
Education
Your education is the foundation on which your professional life will be built. You don’t need to write what grades you received here, only the years in which you attended. If you have special achievements (at school or otherwise) those will be listed farther down.
Soft Skills and Technical Skills
Soft skills are crucial to any working environment. They include communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Technical skills are more applicable to certain working environments. Not every job will have the same technical skills, nor should they. For a list of some technical skills in certain fields, click here. You’ll want to list your soft skills and technical skills in order to shine the best light on your abilities.
Certifications and Professional Memberships
Certifications can range from CPR for those going into childcare to food handler certification for those looking for a restaurant or fast food job. You’ll want to get certification from a third party, however, so if you’ve got something from your school (Honors Student Certificate, etc) it belongs in the “Achievements and Awards” section instead.
If you’re part of a professional organization that highlights skills or industry experience, list it. Include the organization’s name and your title. You can write the years you served the organization and mention specific contributions like fundraising or event planning.
Achievements and Awards
This is where you’ll want to list any pertinent school information. Did you graduate with honors? Were you Class Valedictorian? You can list that here. You can also list other awards you’ve received here.
Volunteer Work
You can list volunteer work in this section, along with the start and end dates. Any kind of involvement with the community can be added here as well, whether you volunteered at a soup kitchen or participated in a community clean-up day.
Sample Resumes
There are lots of sample resumes on the internet today. Resume Genius provides a slew of them, broken down by category. They provide helpful links to entry-level examples for high school and college students as well.
Zety has them broken down into categories as well, although their entry-level ones are a bit harder to find. (They’re under the “Other Resume Examples” heading.)
Indeed and LiveCareer also have resume samples and templates.
Resume Tools
Canva offers a Resume Maker with Pro membership. They offer a free 30-day trial if you’re interested. Resume Genius is another online resume builder you can use to create a resume in 15 minutes. Other tools you can use include:
- Visual CV
- CakeResume
- CV Engineer
- Resume.com
- Google Slides
- Microsoft Word
Entry-Level Jobs by Industry
No matter what industry you want to work in, there are nearly always entry-level jobs available. Here’s my list of some of the top entry-level jobs by industry. To find entry-level jobs near you, all you’ll need is a simple Google search. Of course, you can also use some of the other job search resources I’ve listed above.
Automotive
- Entry-level Master Technician
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Diesel Technician/Mechanic III – entry level
Business
- Appointment Setter/Front Desk/Receptionist
Construction
- Entry-Level Construction Assembly
Graphic Design/Digital Art
- Graphic Designer
-
Clothing Designer
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Graphic Design Consultant
Healthcare
- Caregiver
Human Resources
- Entry-Level Recruiter/Sales Trainee
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Entry-Level Technical Recruiter
- Recruiter and Talent Acquisition
IT/Technology
- Entry-Level IT
-
Digital Designer (Entry-Level)
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Entry-Level Engineer
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Java Developer Entry-Level
Legal
- International Trade Compliance
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Entry-level Industrial Hygienist
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Entry-level Compliance Engineer
Management
- Management Trainee
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Project Manager Entry-Level
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Strategic Account Manager Entry Level
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Jr. Account Manager
Manufacturing/Labor
- Entry-Level Warehouse Coordinator
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Entry-Level Manufacturing
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Heavy Industry Specialized Labor – Entry Level
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Warehouse Associate
Installation/Maintenance/Repair
- Entry-Level Mechanic
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Rigger Entry-Level
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Entry-Level Field Service
Media, Communications, and Writing
- Production Assistant
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Communications Specialist
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Communications Coordinator
Sales and Retail
- Entry-Level Sales
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Entry-Level Jobs – Sales Representative
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Entry-Level Inside Sales
Undecided? Try a Temp Agency
Can’t decide what entry-level job you’d like to take? Then do yourself a favor and apply at a temp agency. You can get a feel for jobs in different industries to get a taste of what you’re looking for.
What is a Temp Agency?
A temp agency is also called a temporary employment agency or a staffing agency. It’s a firm that connects businesses to workers for temporary or contract work. This agency charges the businesses for the workers it finds, and workers are employed by the temp agency. This can be beneficial for both parties. Workers can find short-term and low-commitment job opportunities. Businesses don’t have to hire and fire full-time employees to fill a short-term need.
Benefits of Working at a Temp Agency
Temp agencies provide free skills training in the industries they serve. This means that you can ask for training in any field that the agency serves. It’s a great opportunity to test the waters while learning at the same time. They also offer full-time, part-time, and seasonal employment. This is especially ideal if you’re in high school or currently attending college. They provide short-term jobs that match your skill sets. You can even work as a temp-to-hire, so it’s a great way to get your foot in the door.
Disadvantages of Working at a Temp Agency
Because temp work is entry-level, it can make many temps feel expendable or undervalued. That can be said of many other entry-level jobs as well, though, and temp work offers more versatility than most other entry-level jobs. Another drawback is that temp work is usually only part-time or seasonal. This means that benefits like health insurance and retirement are off the table.
Stewart Publishing is Here to Help
I hope the resources I’ve provided here will help you start your journey toward adulthood. There are so many possibilities open to you if you have the eyes to see them. First, start with internet research. Build a resume according to your own personal skills and qualifications and then think about which entry-level jobs are most suited to you. If you are having trouble deciding, consider a temp agency. They’ll help you get a steady stream of work while allowing you to dabble in your fields of interest.
I built Stewart Publishing because I want young people to have the tools I wish I had. I’ve published books on Power Struggles and How to Leave Your Parents’ Home. My blog features several more articles that I hope you will find helpful, including How to Join the Military[1] , How to Find an Apartment[2] and more. As an attorney, I can also provide legal advice if need be.
I want these articles to inspire you to have confidence. You are capable of so much, you need only persevere. Fear and doubt will come in, but you can succeed in spite of them. In spite of your struggles, you can advance. Have a question on how to make a smooth transition to adulthood? Feel free to contact me. I’ll gladly help if I can.
Link to How to Join the Military
