To help you embark on your early professional journey, we outlined some tips to help you land your first job.

Start With Researching

As a high school student looking for their first job, it is helpful to start by doing some research on the type of job that best fits your preferences, skills, and schedule. Ask yourself what are you good at? What type of careers or industries are you interested in?  Start looking at job descriptions for current openings to get an idea of the type of roles that best align with your interests.

In addition to the job role, research the companies you are interested in applying for to learn about their mission, work environment, and values. This will help you determine whether this is an organization you want to work at. If you secure an interview with the company, candidates who clearly demonstrate they did prior research into the company will stand out.

Build Your Resume

A resume outlines your professional experience and accomplishments to showcase why you are a good candidate for the job position. As a high school student, you may be surprised that many of your academic and extracurricular activities can be included in your resume. School clubs, volunteer work, and relevant coursework can be included on your resume — just make sure you are able to describe how your skills and experiences from those activities make you a strong candidate for the job role.

For more tips on writing a resume, check out our blog article on resume writing and download a free resume template here.

Look At Online Job Boards

Online job boards are a great resource to look for job openings. Websites such as LinkedIn and Indeed make it easy to search by job titles, keywords, and companies. If there is a specific company you want to work with, most company websites will have a Careers page that outlines current job openings.

You can also talk with your school counselor. They may be able to help guide you and open new doors as you search for your first job.

Practice For Your Interview

Once you secure an interview, take some time to practice answering common interview questions. Ask a family member or friend prompt you allowing you to rehearse possible responses. Craft an elevator pitch that provides a brief overview of who you are and highlights your achievements. You can use your relevant pitch as your introduction when the interview ask you to share about yourself at the start of the interview. Being proactive in preparing for your interview will help you establish talking points and feel more comfortable in an interview setting.

Dress To Impress

Your first impression matters. That is why to make a good first impression it is important to dress in a style appropriate for the job position you are applying for. Dress in business attire or business casual wear to your job interview. Remember it is always better to overdress than underdress.

Follow Up

After your interview, follow up with the hiring manager and team with an email. Thank them for the opportunity and express your continued interest in the role. Conclude the email by inquiring about next steps in the interviewing process and invite them to ask you any additional questions.

Stay Positive

Securing your first job is an exciting milestone. But there may be times when you feel discouraged, especially if you don’t land the job you want. Remember that the job hunting process is challenging for everyone and there are plenty of other opportunities out there for you. Believe in yourself and your abilities. The right opportunity will come to you in time.

The post 5 Tips to Help Students Land Their First Job appeared first on Junior Achievement of San Diego County.

To help you achieve your higher education goals, we compiled a list of tips for high school students getting started with their college application process.

1. Check-in With Your Counselor

As you start the application process, check in with your academic school counselor. Your counselor can help you determine what schools would be a good fit, assist you with filling out application paperwork, and direct you to student aid and scholarship programs.

If you have kept your counselor up to date throughout high school, they may become your greatest asset as they keep track of any accomplishments you may have and have access to your academic record. Your counselor is also a great person to write letters of recommendation.

2. Stay Organized & Track Your Deadlines

You definitely don’t want to miss an application deadline! As you are creating a list of colleges you plan to apply for, make a note of each application deadline. A great way to stay organized is creating a spreadsheet using Excel or Google Sheets to list the schools you want to apply for and the application deadlines. You can also include the URL link to the application form, log in information for application portals, and note if you need any supplement materials such as letters of recommendation.

3. Complete The FAFSA Application

Every student should complete the FAFSA application, even if you don’t think you qualify. Financial aid is determined by your Expected Family Contribution and the Cost of Attendance at your college. While not everyone will receive financial aid, students may be eligible for federal loan programs and financial aid programs at their college through FAFSA.

You will need to have several important documents to complete the application, including your social security number (SSN), federal income tax returns, W-2 forms, and other records of income for yourself and parents. The FAFSA application for the 2024-2025 academic year will open December 2024.

4. Extracurriculars

Most applications will ask about extracurricular activities you have participated in. This is when you want to add in all the clubs, sports, and volunteering you have been involved in. You might be able to include hobbies that are significant to you, such as coding or playing an instrument. It can be helpful to have a list ready that outlines all your extracurricular activities with brief descriptions of your responsibilities and accomplishments.

5. Be Authentic In Your College Essay

College essays will typically prompt students to share about themselves and provide deeper insights into who they are. When writing your essays, think of stories you can share where you were able to learn and grow. You can draw from experiences in your extracurricular activities, academic history, or personal challenges. But remember that college admission officers are not just looking for you to describe your experiences. Your essays should include self-reflection and focus on how the experiences that have influenced you.

The post 5 Tips High Schoolers Should Know About Applying for College appeared first on Junior Achievement of San Diego County.