Practical tips for teenage job hunting for their first full time job

Where do you look for your first full time job? It can seem daunting and hard to get started so here are 6 steps.

First of all brainstorm the type of job you’d like, the industry and the type of company you want to work for. Think about the hours, environment and location you would like to work in. Have a short plan on what you are going to job to get the result of winning that first job.

Secondly do some research to develop your database of potential employers via the internet (Google, Facebook, industry/professional associations and company websites), local phone book, papers and family/friends networks.

Thirdly understand the best way to approach your database – does the company specify inquiries and applications via the web only, via email, only in response to an advertisement, or do they welcome direct contact via phone or face to face. Some employers think that by calling in to their business you are showing initiative and they get to meet you but for others it’s probably not appropriate.

The fourth step is to change your introductory letter/email and resume to suit the company – use the same key words that they do on their website or in company documents and try to match your experience to their jobs. Ask for help from family members, friends and other people you know in business – many people are very well networked and happy to help you out. Check if you need any licences or minimum training for example to work in the building and construction industry you’ll need a white card and to work in a hotel, you’ll need responsible service of alcohol.

Fifth be aware of the different ways that you could be employed by a company including Australian Apprenticeships and federal or state/territory government initiatives and use this to your advantage by including information in your pitch to potential employers. Also be aware that potential employers may use the internet to search on your name so check what’s out there about you and think about how things like your Facebook status updates, posts and photos could be seen.

Finally, keep going with your plan as sometimes it can take a little while, change things if they aren’t working for you and above all ask for help with your search.

Wendy's blog highlighted in Workforce BluePrint's enews

The story on the day out in Adelaide Hills was highlighted in the latest editions of Workforce BluePrint's enews:

http://www.workforceblueprint.com.au/pdf/workforce%20blueprint%20enews%20024may-june%202010%20v3.0.pdf

High-tea - an interesting alternative for baby showers, birthday's, hen's nights, engagement parties and Mothers Day

High-tea's seem to be growing in popularity for all sorts of events such as baby showers, bridal showers, birthdays and anniversaries.

Recently I went to a beautiful high tea for a baby shower at Bliss Flowers and Cafe at Main South Road, O'Halloran Hill, South Australia http://www.blissflowers.com.au/.

Behind the rendered wall is a little oasis waiting for you and the combination of flowers and coffee is amazing both visually and sensory.

The table is laid out with the cutest tea pots, tea cups and cake stands - the nappy was part of the baby shower games!

We had little sandwiches, savoury tarts, scones with jam & cream and lovely little cakes from the Bloom menu and they also provides a Bud and a Bouquet menu.

For the baby shower we played a couple of quiz games such as guess the number of jelly babies in the jar.

And I couldn't resist my favourite hot chocolate...

The attentive service at Bliss Cafe is fabulous. Thank you to Dorte and Helen for a lovely experience and also for the hot chocolate that my husband took to my bedside for my Saturday morning sleep in.

A Day Out in the Adelaide Hills

A beautiful autumn sunny Sunday (18.4.10) called for a day out in the leafy Adelaide Hills. Transport was a mini bus driven by my husband with a combination of family and friends on board. First stop was Nepenthe to taste some dry, crisp, fresh whites. We drove through the sandstone welcome gates, with vines on either side of the long driveway, past manicured lawns dotted with white umbrella’s and little spots to sit out on the green.

The cellar door and tasting lounge is very modern and after tying a few wines our friends took 3 dozen away with them on the bus.

Lunch was at the very quaint Balhannah Hotel out under the back veranda and amongst the garden. The menu has contemporary components as well as traditional pub meals.

I had the warm lamb salad with a glass of Annie’s Lane Moscato. The staff were attentive and our meals were served promptly and attractively.

Next stop was the town of Lobethal for a look at the Old Woollen Mill markets and at Tilbrook Estate cellar door I met the wine maker, James Tilbrook. I couldn’t go past James’ sticky white and it was great to meet him and hear how passionate he is about Tilbrook’s wines which are bottled at one of the buildings in Lobethal’s Old Woollen Mill.


Not being a beer drinker myself but still wanting to experience Lobethal Bierhaus I tried a local apple cider called Lobo – refreshing and it looked like a milky beer to me.

The last town we visited was Hahndorf so the younger bus trip members (and their parents) could sample treats from Hahndorf Sweets in the main street.

Loaded up with fudge, peppermint creams, and chocolate coated raspberries we had a short walk down to the German Arms and the Puppet Shop before heading back home.

I highly recommend spending a day visiting three or four towns, wineries and gourmet locations in the Hills especially as it’s so close to home and I was impressed with the range of products and creativity I saw from producers.

Seeing and meeting Status Quo at Clipsal 500

I took my Mum to see Status Quo at the Clipsal 500 race in Adelaide recently as her cousin, Alan Lancaster, was a founding member of the band and bass guitarist. Mum had been a fan since she was 15, following Alan and Francis Rossi and going on the fan bus with her friend Jill to gigs at school dances and Butlins in the UK.

We arrived at the Clipsal 500 race track and walked with the throngs of people down to the after race concert and stage area. Amongst the dust, and in the middle of the rides, drinks and food stalls was a matted area and a huge black industrial looking stage.

There were a number of bands on before Status Quo and we had met up with my cousins, the "Hower's" with a good location towards the front of the stage and under one of the large screens.

Mum was excited about seeing the band and we planned on having a few drinks and a dance. Talking to one of my cousins, we thought we might be able to approach security and meet Francis through the connection that my Mum, and their Mum (my Aunty) had with the band. I went up to a security guard at the front of the stage and said we knew Status Quo - his reaction was sure you do, but he did direct me around to the back of the stage and said I would need to speak with someone around there.

So I walked past the food and drink stalls to the back of the stage where the acts arrived and where they were driven into the fenced off area. I spoke with another security guard, who referred me to his supervisor and then the head of security - took about 5-0 mins to convince each up the line. My story and the connection was genuine and I guess that must have come across plus I used my negotiation and influencing skills too. The head of security said he would talk to the band manager and then the manager, Grant, popped out to see me.

I explained that my Mum was Alan's cousin and one of their first fans, growing up with them in England. Grant asked for my name and Mum's - Jean (nee) Lancaster. Grant went back to speak with Francis Rossi and then he came back to see me and said "Go and get your Mum!" So I raced back around to the spot we had out the front, grabbed Mum and brought her around to the back stage area. After a minute or two, Grant came out and took us both into the compound area. Francis was standing a few metres away and he and Mum hugged with huge smiles and caught up for about half an hour.

Mum was on a high and we went back out the front to enjoy their concert - we sang, danced, took lots of pics and also moved down to the second row. Mum even got onto my husband, Scott's shoulders and did the rock n roll sign.

So thanks to Scott for the tickets, my cousins for making it a great night, Francis for making the time to catch up with Mum as the excitement for her lasted for ages afterwards.

Have you got a similar story?

Teenager+parents=job success

“My eldest daughter Aimee got her first job at 14 and as parents we had to attend part of the induction session, which was a bit of a surprise.

Aimee also got some great experience when she was 15 working for Spotless at Clipsal – I applied with her too and got a job supervising a corporate box. It was so funny because in the group interview process we had to introduce ourselves and say why each other should get the job!"

We are often asked by our daughters’ friends and their parents to help them out with looking for a job.

AND you know what has really changed with getting an afterschool job?

It’s an opportunity to build on your relationship with your teenager; to spend time with them; to help them to understand what employment, job and career opportunities are available to them; and to demonstrate your belief in them - their skills, abilities and personality.

Helping your teenager with the job application process

Most major chain stores and franchises have an online application process where your teenager can register interest or search and apply for a specific job. Even if there aren’t any jobs currently available they can still apply and it will be kept on file for anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months depending on the company.

The steps generally involve filling in an online form with personal details, uploading a resume, answering questions about themselves and multiple choice situational questions. A couple of employers also include a career/personal preferences assessment too. All of this can take some time so allow about half an hour per online application plus preparation time for resume.

Having an up to date email address that is checked regularly is really important and this is often the first way that the employer will contact new applicants and advise of next steps or outcomes.

For those employers that do not have an online process or application form, dropping in a resume face to face is a great way to go. A 2-3 page resume is about right, set out well and on nice paper – or maybe even help your teenager choose paper with borders or decorations that reflects their personality.

Dress and personal presentation, as well as a clear voice, smile and eye contact are all important for the task of handing out the resume. Think about the time of the day, how busy the store or employer might be and what would be a convenient time to drop in.

Your teenager needs to be ready for the next step – the email, call or SMS text to advise of an interview – make sure their voice mail message is appropriate and clear.

For the interview, again, personal presentation is important, they need to take a copy of their resume and ask what other information the employer would like to see.

Evidence of their skills, talents and experiences can be captured online and added to using electronic tools such as Skillsbook for a skills profile and Mahara which is an e-portfolio where examples of work, projects, school results and other information can be stored.