When you're a student in high school, it's important to have a part-time job both to support yourself, and to save for your future. College and university students also need to have jobs to pay off their student loans and support themselves. Here is a list of tips on finding work when you're a student.
Always explore ideas about where to look for work
- Classified Ads
- Informational Interviews and Conferences
- Cold Calls - Walk in and introduce yourself (with a resume)
- Bulletin Boards
- Internet (Job Bank, Monster.ca)
- Word of Mouth (networking)
- Job Line
- Offering to Volunteer
Always have a good, strong resume
- Outine your skills
- Let the reader know what you could bring to the company
- Let the employer know why he or she should hire you
- Always have a positive attitide
To apply for a specific job
- Prepare a good resume
- Write a cover letter to go with your resume
- Follow up on application forms
- Attend interviews
- Follow up with thank you letters
Make a good first impression
- Smile (90% of people going in to interviews forget to smile)
- Be ready to shake hands
- Establish comfortable eye contact
- Approach each interview as a new challenge
- Don't smoke or chew gum
Making your interview successful - Before
- Find out about the company
- Prepare and memorize a list of questions you would like to ask
- Think of any questions the employer might want to ask you and come up with some answers beforehand
- Bring letters and names of reference
- Bring a pen and notepad to take notes
- Dress appropriately
- Go alone
- Be courteous to receptionists
- Be a few minutes early
- Communicate a positive attitude
- Project qualities you think your employer is looking for
- Relax and try not to appear nervous or tense
- Always speak clearly
- Make sure you ask all of your questions
Making your interview successful - After
- Make sure both you and your interviewer have all the information needed
- Thank the interviewer and ask when you can expect to hear about the interview
Some common interview questions:
- Tell me about yourself. (Give background experience/educational training)
- Why do you want to work for us?
- What do you know about the company?
- What do you expect to be doing in this job?
- What are your strong and weak points?
- Why did you choose this type of work?
- What have you learned about yourself from some of your previous jobs?
- Why did you leave your last job(s)?
- What are your long range goals?
- What salary do you expect?
- Why should we hire you?
- When can you start?
- Would you relocate?
- Would you be willing to receive further training?
- Do you have any questions about the company?
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