As many teenagers have recently found out, if you want a job for the summer, you have to begin searching at Christmas, or at least by the Spring Break. Looking for a job takes time. I'm not talking about the jobs at a fast food outlet, or a retail store - jobs that you only take on for a short time, I'm talking about a job that will last, one that you can build into a career.
To begin, you need to do some Self-Assessment. You need to take a look at the skills and strengths you have developed through your school classes, your outside activities such as sports teams or hobbies, your personality, etc.
Once you have determined your strengths and skills, you need to look at your interests. What subjects do you (did you) enjoy in school? What activities made you happy? Cutting and pasting? That could lead to a career in Scrapbooking or at a magazine doing layout or maybe putting together special anniversary albums? Do you like to talk with people and have an interest in history? Maybe you can record videos for families to have of their grandparents lives. Once you have determined your interests and personality (and there are various online tests to do this), you can start looking for careers in those fields.
Now that you know yourself - your strengths, skills, and interests, and you know the fields you want to work in, what next?
Next comes employer research. What companies are there in the field you want to work in? Will you have to move? What kind of salaries do people make in the field you are interested in? Is it enough money for you to live on? Who can you talk to to find out more about the company? Where can you find more information? Company websites contain a great deal of information about the company's mission and vision and what they do.
Ok, so now you know yourself and the field you want to work in, what's next?
Next is informational interviews - talking to people who are currently in the field to find out the pros and cons of the job and the company. Find out how did that person get their job. What type of training and/or education is required, what are the chances for future employment, is it a growing field or not.
Now, armed with all that information you are ready to begin your actual job search. You will look for a job/career that matches who you are and what you want to do and you will select employers who fit your needs.
Yes, it seems like a lot, but it is worth it in the end. How many people do you know who have taken a job "for the summer" who ended up staying in the job because of the pay, but hated it their entire lives and worked there for 10, 20 or 30 years.
Take the time to know yourself, your wants, your needs, your strengths and find that perfect career. It may not happen overnight. You might need to approach it step by step, gaining the required skills and education, but you will have your goal in sight and you will eventually achieve it.
Fran Watson
Career Counsellor
P.S. I will post some of the sites you can go to for the various assessments in a little while..
