So, you’re ready to take the plunge into the exciting world of casual work outside of school hours! Congratulations! Having a casual job is a fantastic way to gain valuable experience, develop new skills, and earn some cash along the way. But before you start browsing job ads, there’s one crucial step: crafting your first resume.
But what is a resume?
A resume is a concise document, that acts as an advertisement for potential employers. It highlights your skills, experience, education, and achievements, and is presented in a clear and professional format. The goal of a resume is to grab the attention of a hiring manager and convince them that you are the perfect candidate for the job. It’s your chance to showcase your skills and convince them to invite you for an interview.
It might sound daunting to put together a document to promote yourself as a strong candidate for casual jobs, especially as a first timer. But don’t worry, it’s quite simple! Our Gold Coast tutors, who are all experienced teachers, are here to help guide you through the process.
Key Information
Let’s break down the key information you need to include in your first resume:
1. Contact Information:
This seems obvious, but you’d be surprised! Make sure your resume clearly displays your full name, phone number, and email address. Professionalism starts here, so use a clear and easy-to-read email address. We highly advise you to choose an email address that has your name in it, such as ‘[yourname]@[URL.com]’ rather than ‘[supercoolgamer589]@[URL.com]’. Having a professional email address will make your application stand out.
2. Education:
List your current school and expected graduation year. If you’ve completed any relevant high school subjects or training, you can mention it here as well. For example, if you’re applying for a retail job and have taken a hospitality subject at school, be sure to include that!
3. Skills Section:
This is your chance to shine! List any skills that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. Don’t just list generic skills like “good communication” or “hard worker” (although those are important too!). Instead, focus on specific skills you’ve developed through school, extracurricular activities, or even household chores. Here are some examples:
- Computer Skills: List the programs you’re comfortable using, like Microsoft Office or social media platforms.
- Organisation: Do you have experience managing your school schedule or volunteering projects? Highlight your organisational skills here.
- Communication: Have you participated in school debates or presentations? Mention your strong communication abilities through examples.
- Teamwork: Do you play a team sport or participate in a club? Maybe you have successfully demonstrated your teamwork skills in a group task completed in class? Briefly describe your teamwork experience.
4. Awards and Achievements:
Have you received any awards for academic excellence or leadership? Did you win a science fair competition, or participate in an Eisteddfod? Listing these achievements demonstrates your initiative and dedication, and will make you a strong candidate for that weekend and afterschool position available.
5. Extracurricular Activities:
This section allows you to showcase your well-roundedness. List any extracurricular activities you participate in, such as sports teams, drama clubs, or any volunteer work you may have done. Even hobbies can be relevant! Are you a talented artist or musician? Mention it here, especially if it demonstrates skills like creativity or self-discipline.
6. References:
Once a manager has interviewed you, they will then call your references to see what you are like to work with. Gathering references for a first job can be challenging because you don’t have any prior work experience. Regardless, it is still a requirement to have 2-3 referees listed because this is part of the hiring process. You want to choose people who talk highly of you, can vouch for your skills and work ethic. Here are some good choices:
- A Teacher: Choose a teacher who knows you well and can speak to your academic performance and work ethic.
- A Tutor: Do you have a tutor you have worked with closely? A tutor is the perfect professional who can discuss your dedication to learn new information.
- A Coach or Club Leader: If you participate in extracurricular activities, a coach or club leader can highlight your teamwork, leadership skills, and dedication.
- A Former Employer (if applicable): Have you volunteered or babysat in the past? These experiences can be relevant, and the person you worked for can be a great reference.
Remember:
- Keep the resume concise: One page is ideal for a first-time resume.
- Proofread carefully: Typos and grammatical errors create a bad impression. Make sure to get a parent, guardian, friend, teacher or tutor to read over it.
- Tailor your resume: Highlight skills and experiences that are relevant to the specific job you’re applying for.
With a well-crafted resume and a positive attitude, you’re well on your way to landing your first casual job! Here at Hop Skip Jump Learning, we believe in empowering young people to succeed. If you’re looking for extra help with your resume or need guidance on navigating the job search process, don’t hesitate to contact us! Our experienced team of teachers would love to support you to ensure your first resume is an outstanding one.
