by: Alan Kagan
Are you new to the workforce, and looking to get your ‘foot in the door’ somewhere? Were you one of many who unfortunately lost their job due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in desperate need of work? Or, are you just looking to make extra cash and wanting to find a part time job? If you’ve answered “yes” to any of these questions, NOW is the time to get out there and start applying! There are new reports from across the country talking about businesses in desperate need of help, so what’s the best way to narrow down what’s available? Well, there are numerous ways to find work, each with their own advantages and disadvantages, so let’s review some of those ways below.
This first method was popular pre-smart phones, and that would be checking ads in your local newspaper. Yes, you read that correctly—check out your local newspaper! I know it sounds dated, but checking the ‘help wanted’ section often shows us a lot of LOCAL jobs, which gives can give you an advantage, especially if you live in that area and can apply in-person, rather than applying online and hoping your resume gets to where it needs. If you don’t get the newspaper delivered to you, go to any local store and often times you can buy a paper there or you can reach out to a friend or family member that gets the paper.
The second method I’d suggest is probably the most popular, and that is searching online. Now, there are two ways to go about doing this:
1) Think of businesses, agencies, or other companies you are interested in working for, and make a list. Next, check out to see if they have websites (or even social media pages), and look for tabs or links that mention career opportunities. This is typically where companies will list job openings.
2) Another way to online job search is to navigate through some of the many job listing websites out there (i.e. Indeed.com). Companies will often use these sites to reach a wider audience, as thousands of other businesses advertise their job openings on those websites, too. It is convenient because once you find a job you are interested in, you can often upload your resume or any other documentation and send it directly to the business you are interested in.
If you don’t have a computer or the internet at home, and don’t want to ask family or friends to use theirs, you could always head to your local library, which will usually have computers open to the public.
3) A third method could simply be visiting local businesses that you are interested in working for and asking them if they’re hiring! Whats the worst that could happen? This could also give you an advantage, as mentioned earlier, when applying in-person. Not only might you get to meet the person doing the hiring, but there’s also a chance you could leave a great first impression (so try to look presentable)!
Need a few extra tips?
a) Remember to be patient, sometimes things don’t happen right away.
b) Identify your unique qualifications (what separates you from everyone else).
c) Network! Talk to people, maybe others know of jobs that have yet to be listed.
d) Volunteer work- whether it be at the business you wish to work, or anywhere else, it always looks great on your resume!
e) Clean up your online profiles. Often times, employers will look at social media, and anything questionable you’ve posted may have an impact on you being hired.
Here at the Southwest Council, we go into high schools and teach various skills in-class that might be useful when looking for employment, such as decision-making and goal setting. Our Incorrupitble.Us youth group is also a productive way for teens to get involved and looks great when they set up resumes! As an extension of our coalition, this youth leadership group participates in a variety of community service and awareness projects throughout the community.
We also offer presentations on Coping Skills for adults that might be feeling stressed out or overwhelmed from losing a job or searching for one. For more information, click on one of the links above, or visit us at www.southwestcouncil.org. We can also be reached at (856) 794-1011.
References:
https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2295790132744/fast-food-hiring-frenzy
https://nj1015.com/nj-brick-and-mortar-managers-see-strong-end-to-21-survey-says/
