Teens Work!

An application is provided by an employer.

A resume is provided by you.

Your Application Information:

• Since employers probably don't know you, they need basic information about you.
• You might need some time to gather this information -- there is a lot, and you might need help from other people.
• If you apply for a few jobs and fill out a few applications, you'll need this same information over and over again.
  • What if you're out shopping, or you're at a favorite coffee shop, and you think -- "I'd like to work here! Can I fill out an application?" You'll want this information handy.
• We recommend you print this "cheat sheet," spend some time carefully filling it out, then take a picture of it on your phone. That way it's literally at your fingertips!

Your Resume & Cover Letter:

• Q: What if your future employer doesn't offer an application, but they still need your information? A: Prepare your resume.
• A resume should be one page long -- it's a brief paper introduction to your life and accomplishments so far. It should be clear, concise, and easy to read -- no fancy fonts!
• Resumes should be updated every time you accomplish something professionally useful, like when you learn another language or become certified in a skill.
• There are plenty of free resume-building sites on the Internet -- here are some we offer, opens a new window on our website.
• A cover letter generally is three or four short paragraphs:
  • A brief greeting, introducing yourself, and telling how you learned of the position.
  • A fuller middle paragraph showing how your particular talents can be of use to the company or organization.
  • A short concluding paragraph restating your friendly interest and availability.
• You might be asking -- "Do I HAVE to submit a cover letter? Isn't it a lot of work to write a different letter for every position I apply for?" Well, yes, it is work. But it shows you are extra, and that's what employers want to see.
• A cover letter is your chance to be a little friendlier than a resume -- it is NOT a list of accomplishments (that's a resume!), it's a letter you're writing to the hiring manager, telling them why you want to work for a company -- what makes you the best fit, better than all the other applicants?
• Your resume and cover letter are also your chances to make a great first impression in print. So NO spelling errors. NO grammatical errors. NO punctuation errors. PROOFREAD AS THOUGH YOUR JOB DEPENDS ON IT -- because it very well could.

How to Dress For the Interview

• You might not think this is fair, but FIRST IMPRESSIONS MATTER. Present your best self to your future boss!
• You might have heard the phrase "Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have." This is sort of true -- dress appropriately for the job you will be doing, but a little nicer, a little spiffier. Don't wear a three-piece suit or a skirt to an interview for a construction job, for instance -- opt for clean, pressed chinos/shirt. This shows you're ready for action and realistic, but also tidy and presentable.
• Your whole physical look matters: Your hair, teeth, scent, clothes, footwear. You don't have to spend a lot of money on outfits and hairstyles and accessories, but you should be clean and appropriate.
• Stay away from perfumes, fragrances, or body spray. These can trigger headaches and can be distracting. Stick to unscented products.

What do you do in an in-person interview?

• Remember to breathe! Almost every person you'll meet in an interview was once where you are. They hoped they'd answered all the questions right. They hoped they didn't say anything stupid. They hoped they'd made a good impression during their interview.
• Most interviewers remember this and will try to put you at ease from the beginning.
• Generally, you'll be interviewed by one or two people who are managers or Human Resources personnel. They may know about the specific job you're interviewing for, or they may have interviewing expertise.
• Nowadays, COVID-19 safety precautions mean you cannot shake hands or be within 6' of your interviewers, so your in-person meeting might begin as follows:
  • When you're first called into the interviewing space, the interviewer will greet you. Instead of a firm handshake, ​look your interviewer in the eye, smile pleasantly, nod, and greet them with a "Nice to meet you."
  • If you are offered water, say yes, for two reasons: 1. Even if you aren't now, you will probably be thirsty or have a dry mouth in a few minutes, and 2. When a host offers you something to drink, it's simply good manners to accept. But -- stick to water, if you're asked.​
  • If you tend to fidget, clasp your hands in your lap. Keep your chin up, your expression relaxed, and remember to breathe. Smile now and then, just to relax your face.
  • Answer the questions as best you can. It is expected that you will need to take a moment to think before you respond, so take that moment. This isn't a race. However, if you really can't think of a response in a few moments, say politely, "Can we come back to that question a little later?"
  • There are plenty of resources online that can help you practice interviewing, including sample questions and calming techniques. Some of the most useful and trusted sites are Glassdoor, Monster, and Indeed.
  • After your interview, WRITE A THANK-YOU EMAIL. We can't stress this enough. When your interview is over, email a brief thank-you note to your interviewer, thanking them for their time and stating how much you look forward to working with their organization, if given the opportunity.

What Do You Do In A Virtual Interview?​

• See the above section "How to Interview in Person."
• Nowadays, COVID-19 safety precautions mean you cannot shake hands or be within 6' of your interviewers, so you might be interviewed virtually, over Webex or Zoom:
  • Whether you use your phone or a computer, be sure you choose a place that is quiet and where you can be seen in the best light. Be familiar with the device you are using -- know where the camera is, for instance, so that you are NOT looking down during your interview, but are looking into the camera and at your interviewer. Do not sit too close to the camera -- that's weirdly UP CLOSE and unsettling.
  • If your interview will be on Zoom, become familiar with Zoom. The same goes for Webex, or any other digital platform. Do your homework and know where the mute and microphone buttons are located.
  • You will probably be sent a link to your interview via text or email. This is another good reason to make sure your contact information is current on your resume or application. When you log on at your scheduled time, the interviewer will greet you. Look your interviewer in the eye, smile pleasantly, nod, and greet them with a "Nice to meet you."
  • It is absolutely acceptable to have water nearby. Even if you aren't now, you will probably be thirsty or have a dry mouth in a few minutes.
  • WEAR PANTS, or a skirt, to complete your attire. We are not kidding. We have all heard stories of people interviewing from home, looking great from the lap UP -- and then without thinking, they get up or reach for something and expose (ahem) their interviewers to the fact that they're wearing pajama pants, boxers, or NOTHING below. This is probably a deal breaker, and at the very least leaves a disrespectful first impression, so don't be that job seeker. Wear a complete outfit, even if you think no one will see under the table. You never know.

What Are Your Options?

What if you aren't interested in a job in fast food, or retail, but you want to start thinking about a long-term career -- maybe one that requires some additional training or apprenticeship?

• Grab your library card and create a free account on Nevada CareerExplorer. This robust database helps you search jobs and career paths by interests, abilities, geographical location, educational opportunities -- even salary desired! We definitely recommend this website, which is made possible by the Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
• Need a library card? Come to the library with your student ID, or start here.
• One need-based option is the Sierra Nevada Job Corps. You would live with other young people for several months in Reno, NV while you train for a career.
• To find apprenticeships (particularly in the trades) closer to home, check out the Nevada Governor's Office of Workforce Innovation.
• Another site to explore (that includes interest and ability self-assessment tests) is Nevada Workforce Connections. This is a site for job seekers of all ages, but you can narrow down your search by clicking on the "Young Adult" section on the Home page.
• Don't forget Goodwill Industries. They were established about 100 years ago to help people get the career training they need, and they're still hard at work today.

How To Start Your Online Job Hunt:

• Start with a company’s website. Google to find it -- it's usually one of the first hits.
• Generally, “Careers” or “Employment” links are found at the bottom of the company’s main web page.
• To search local jobs, you can generally search by zip code (sometimes called postal code).
• Copy/ Paste is your friend!

You can start here with this document that includes local employers arranged by zip code with their application links.