My little brother once squeezed an entire bottle of Hershey’s syrup down our hallway because he wanted to make chocolate milk by himself. He eats frozen waffles for breakfast everyday, has an encyclopedic knowledge of anime, and has never had a job.
So why did I ask his advice on how to search for one? There’s so much advice floating around about how to look for work, prep for interviews, and follow up afterward – but in the end, being genuine is the best way to find a job that’s the best fit for you. And what’s more genuine than a kid who once asked a stranger in the grocery store if yellow tampons were lemon scented?
How should I decide which jobs to apply to?
If you’ve graduated from college, you should see what jobs ask for your degree. If you haven’t, you should start by just seeing what jobs are available in your neighborhood. See how close the job is to your house, find out if it pays enough, and look up some reviews of the company if you can find them from current and former employees. Most importantly, make sure the job is something you think you’d be interested in and would fit your abilities well.
How long should my resume be?
Please start by telling them I really don’t know for sure because I’ve never made one. But I’d say don’t gloat about yourself too much, don’t make it too long or it’s going to be a hassle to read and they will be annoyed and won’t call you. Keep it short, just write your experience and your abilities. Don’t fluff. Don’t sugarcoat. Get to the point.
What are the most important things to include in my resume?
Education, abilities, experience, your good qualities, volunteer work if you’ve done it, maybe references, probably contact information too. I don’t really know about anything else. It’s not like a dating profile. Don’t tell them you like long walks on the beach.
Should I apply for a job even if I don’t have the specified experience?
If you don’t think you can do the job, don’t apply. If you think you can and you want it, there’s no harm in applying. You might show the manager you’ve got the guts, and that will make a good impression. You should try if you think you have a shot.
How can I make sure to get an interview?
Contact them or go into the actual store or business every couple days and remind them you still want the job. That’s all there is to it. There’s not much more you can do. Short of violence. But then they probably won’t hire you at all.
How should I answer the question “What is your greatest weakness?”
Be honest, but don’t incriminate yourself. Don’t say your biggest weakness is eating dirt. Maybe something like…if you work better alone, say you need to work on people skills. Be honest, but show what you’re working on. You need to make it sound sweeter.
Should you tell the hiring manager if you’ve been fired in the past?
Well, I mean, they will probably find out at some point. You should just tell them. Er wait – do they get your job records? Is there a permanent record for jobs? Man actually I don’t know. I say just rip the bandaid off.
How long should I wait before following up after an interview?
Maybe, 3 days or a week? I wouldn’t know, that’s my guess.
Should I write a thank you letter by hand or in an email? What should I say?
You should be gracious, courteous, thank them, and let them know you’re still interested. I would say handwrite a letter. It’s less common so it makes it a special little thing. But then again they may have a lot of letters because they’re a business person, so maybe an email makes it more direct. Or go in person if it’s a store! Make up an excuse like that you’re buying something, and “accidentally” run into the manager.
What exactly is a personal brand and why do I need one?
Personal brand…um…that makes me think of a branding iron on cattle. So I’d say it’s the mark or impression you make on a person with the way you carry yourself. Leaving your mark. And then even if you don’t intend to have one, you will. So you may as well put some effort behind it. Developing a good personal brand is just a good idea. It makes you stand out and look better to employer.
Anything else?
Keep it fresh.
