Job Applications

The Careers Team provides Resume and Cover Letter writing advice to students. Preparing a Job Applications is an important skill that can assist you to find work experience and casual jobs.

IDENTIFYING SKILLS, ATTRIBUTES and EXPERIENCES

What do you write on a resume when you have never worked before?

The careers team suggests thinking about skills and attributes. The Skills and Attributes worksheet can assist you to pair your traits to experiences.

Students can also benefit from writing a list of every experience that they can think of, then trying to match their top experiences to skills and attributes. Experiences can include paid work, volunteering, clubs, school activities, excursions, and awards.

WRITING A RESUME

The following websites have tips and sample resumes designed for high school students:

• Mr Taig’s Resume Guide

• How to Write a Resume

• High School Resume Examples and Writing Tips

• High School Resume Template

WRITING A COVER LETTER

A cover letter is a 1 page document that introduces yourself to a company. A cover letter should include the following:

• A highlights package of you and your achievements

• Why you are interested in the job

• Why you are a good fit for the job

• Why the job is a good fit for you

The following websites have tips for writing cover letters designed for high school students:

• Cover Letter: No Work Experience

• Cover Letter Examples for Students

• What to Include in a Cover Letter

Tips for writing a Cover Letter:

1. Address it to the recruiter, or company e.g. 'Dear Mr Taig'

2. Tailor your Cover Letter to each position you are applying for. Include information that matches the employer and job. For example, if you apply for a data analysis job, include evidence of your maths and technology knowledge.

3. Tell your story. Avoid generic statements such as 'I am a good presenter.' Instead write about your experiences that make you a good presenter. For example: 'I played the role of Rusty in the school's 2017 Footloose production. In this role I performed in front of hundreds of audience members. This role highlights my presenting skills.' This will make your cover letter more memorable.

4. Limit your Cover Letter to one page.

JOB INTERVIEWS

Tips for job interviews:

1. Think about the job and identify what the employer is looking for in their staff.

2. Reread your resume and cover letter. Note the skills, attributes and experiences you would like to highlight in the interview.

3. Practice answering job interview questions. Write dot point answers to common interview questions. Prepare answers that detail your experiences. Avoid generic answers.

4. Ask a friend or family member to perform a mock interview so you can practice your communication skills.

5. Prepare your outfit 3 days in advance. This gives you time to wash and dry any items, and purchase anything you are missing.

6. Prepare your journey, and arrive early. Allow time for traffic or train cancellations.

7. Bring your resume to the interview.

8. It is OK to be nervous. Everybody gets nervous when attending interviews. Take a moment to collect your thoughts before responding to each question.