Brooke asked on Yahoo! Answers:
“i went to snagajob.com and found a job making biscuits at a local fast food place . my nana and i make biscuits all the time so i already have experience making them. the job also asks that i clean the dishes and floors and small stuff like that which is no problem. HOWEVER i am only 15. i got a work permit from my school and they said it will be fine as long as i give it to the manager, but the website said 16+. does it still count for me?”
Even though the post says 16+, I think you’ve got a good shot because you’ve shown great initiative. You already have your work permit, and you’re looking for jobs that you have experience doing – that’s a really smart move that puts you way ahead of most entry-level job seekers!
What’s going to help Brooke get hired?
Listing relevant experience
Brooke applying for a job making biscuits because she had experience doing it was a great first step. Other first-time job seekers take note – you’re competing with folks like Brooke, so don’t think being new to the job market will make employers overlook a blank resume and lack of planning. Make sure you have something to offer that would count as experience: volunteer work, a school activity or something as simple as cooking with your family.
Apply, then follow up in person with the store manager. They are likely to be impressed by your foresight and strategic thinking. Just be sure to dress professionally when you visit the store — you only get one chance to make a great impression!
What might keep Brooke from getting hired?
Spelling and grammatical errors on her application
Based on your post, Brooke, there’s one big issue I’m seeing that might be holding an employer back from hiring you: Be sure your job application is completely free of spelling errors. Not using proper spelling and punctuation might not seem like a big deal, but having errors on your employment application makes hiring managers think you don’t take the position seriously. As a first-time job seeker, you need to be extra careful to present yourself as professional and motivated!
Be extra careful to check your applications for errors, and with motivation like yours, I bet you’ll be making dough in no time! Good luck!
*Photo credit Betsssssy on Flickr
About Amy White
