This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Job Hunting Skills for Homeschool High Schoolers- Special Replay.

Job Hunting Skills for Homeschool High Schoolers

It can be really stressful for teens to look for their first jobs. They are stressed because they have never done this before and often do not know where to start! And face it, it is been a LONG time since we moms have had to search for a first job! Want some tips to help? Join Vicki for this quick, concise coaching session on job hunting skills for homeschool high schoolers.

So as a quick, encouraging review on what to do. Here are ten tips.

Here are some basic tips that help teens as they look for their first job.

#1 Develop an experiential resume

Teens may think they do not have anything they could put on a resume because they have not had a “real” job yet. However, they CAN create an experiential resume.

Experiential resumes highlight skills that teens have been developed through their volunteer work, travel or other experiences. By the time a young person reaches high school, they have lots of skills. Homeschool high schoolers can highlight those on a resume that shows various experiences rather than showing a job timeline. Some experiences they might include would be:

• 
  
• Volunteer experiences
  
• Travel experiences
  
• Interesting academics that show ability to go above and beyond the average
  
• Hobbies and special interests
  
• Extracurriculars
  

You can download 7Sisters Experiential Resume Writing Guide to help your teens with this project.

#2 Develop a cover letter

A cover letter explains why your teen wants a job at a specific job at a specific place. Teens will not always need a cover letter for entry-level jobs. However, knowing how to write one will help if they find a job that needs one. You can download 7Sisters Cover Letter Writing Guide to help with this.

#3 Ask reference-givers permission to list them as references.

This is one of the most important job hunting skills for homeschool high schoolers. Teens will need to list some references on most applications. Reference-givers need to have a politely-worded request ahead of time and a follow-up thank you afterwards. I highly recommend you have your teens read this post on how to ask for favors and not leave a terrible impression.

#4 Make a list

Many first jobs come from people you or your teens know. In fact, networking is the way many jobs are found- even jobs well into an adult’s career. SO, sit with your teens and make a list of people your teen knows:

• 
  
• youth pastor
  
• friends’ parents
  
• relatives
  
• co-op teachers
  
• coaches
  

#5 Make the ask

Once your teens know their “network”, they can ask each person if they know of any job openings. Have your homeschool high schooler rehearse telling each of those people they are looking for a job. Then they can also ask if they know anyone who needs help. Here is a Great episode on how this worked for our friend Angela’s son.

#6 Look for help wanted signs

Tool around local businesses and the mall. See if you see any “help wanted” signs. If so: have your teen run in, drop off the resume. They may be given an application to fill out right then and there (or more likely: told to apply online). If they are filling out an application in person, remind them to take a breath, be calm and write neatly.

#7 Look for online applications from bigger corporations or for local grocery stores or businesses

Your teen can look on job sites like Indeed or Monster OR simply look at local stores’ websites. (Help them spot spam on Indeed or Monster- jobs too good to be true.)

#8 Work on interview skills.

Practice questions and non-verbal. Have questions ready to ask in return. Here are some links to interview skills handout and article.

Remind your homeschool highschoolers to: Show up early, dress professionally, bring a copy of their resume along with pen and paper for notes.

#9 Got the job!

Remind your teens to: Show up early for work with a smile. Give everything 100%.

This builds the resume for the next job!

#10 Make sure you include Career Exploration on the homeschool transcript

These first jobs can count as a Career Exploration elective. Here’s a how-to for that. And if your homeschool highs chooler has not completed a comprehensive Career Exploration course, you might want to consider it as an important part of the upcoming year’s curriculum!

Hope you get some encouragement with this quick, helpful chat with Vicki!

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The post Job Hunting Skills for Homeschool High Schoolers- Special Replay appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

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