How to Find a Job (Candace)
When you first arrive in the US, you will have to find and apply for jobs unless you already have one waiting for you before you come to the country. The first step in finding a job is figuring out your qualifications. You should ask yourself:
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What jobs have I done in the past
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Examples: babysitting, working in a grocery store, managing finances for a business
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What do I enjoy doing?
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Examples: working with children, talking to customers, working with numbers
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What do I want to continue doing?
If you don’t have a lot of money saved, you may want to take the first job you can get in order to start making money right away. That’s okay, but it’s still good to ask yourself what kind of jobs you would want if you could choose.
Whether you want any job you can find in order to start making money quickly or you want to look for a specific kind of job, the next step is to search for jobs. Watch the following video on resources to find jobs, and answer the questions in the video:
https://edpuzzle.com/media/60993e4d2578d3414ef2cc03
We will now go into more detail for the most common ways to find a job. While all of the ways to find a job listed in the video are great, the following tend to be the most commonly used:
Internet job sites
Internet job sites are a great way to learn about job postings in your area. The most common jobsites are:
- Indeed.com
- Monster.com
- Glassdoor.com
- LinkedIn.com
Through all of these websites, you can upload your resume and apply to most jobs directly through the website. More information on resumes is given in the next section. Websites make it easy to not only find jobs but also apply for them.
Networking
Networking is one of the best ways to find a job quickly. You can ask a neighbor if they know of any companies that are hiring. If you’re a skilled builder, you can ask your friends if they know anyone who needs a handyman. It’s often easier to find a job and get hired if someone the
employer trusts is recommending you for the job.
In-person (not listed in the video)
Another great way to find a job is to go to local businesses and ask the manager if the business is hiring. If you do this, you should go in and ask a store employee if you can speak to the manager. When the manager comes to speak with you, ask if they are hiring. If they say no, you can ask if the manager thinks the business will be hiring at another time in the future. Often, the best way to find a job is just to ask!
Avoiding scams (Candace)
When you’re looking for jobs, it’s possible to encounter scams. This is especially common when you’re searching for a job online. Avoiding employment scams is very similar to avoiding other scams. Here are ways to avoid scams, both when finding a job and after you’ve been hired:
- Do not give out personal information such as bank account info or ITIN over email or phone
- Don’t take cashier’s checks or money orders as payment, fake checks are common
- Never cash a check that’s worth more than you earned
- Do not agree to a background check unless you have met someone
- Do not give personal information to anyone who has emailed you about a job with no prior introduction
- Do research on the employer before accepting the job. Do they have a website? Are there already people working there?
- Meet with the employer face to face, over the phone, or by video chat to see if they seem genuinely interested in hiring you to do a legitimate job
- Avoid jobs that seem “too good to be true”
1. Read the following scenarios, and determine if the situation is a scam or not:
a. Flores receives an email from someone she has never heard of offering to pay her $500 per day if she answers company phone calls for 2 hours each day.
b. Mrs. Abboud is given a job offer at a local bookstore, and after getting the offer in-person the manager asks to do a background check. He assures her that all of the other employees, who Mrs. Abboud has seen working in the store, also had to do a background check when they were hired.
c. Mr. Estevar recently started a new job. He expected his first paycheck to be $1000. His employer gave him a money order for $2000 and told Mr. Estevar to cash it, keep $1000 for himself for the work he did, and give the remaining $1000back to the employer.
Job Applications and Interviews (Sarah)
Some jobs will require a resume and cover letter to apply, whereas others do not. This normally depends upon the job for which you are applying. For an entry-level job, or one that requires little to no prior experience, you usually do not need a resume to apply. You will likely need to fill out an application form instead with your contact information, experience (if any), and
answers to questions relevant to the position.
Resumes
A resume, or curriculum vitae (CV), is a document that outlines your work experience and skills. It should include your contact information, education, experience, and other qualifications used to determine if you are a good fit for a given role. Resumes are often needed to apply for professional positions. In addition, they can be used for other purposes, such as for college and scholarship applications, and when asking for a letter of reference.
Best Practices for Creating a Resume
● Include your full name and a way for the employer to reach you, such as a professional email address.
● When listing your experience, describe your role with a company or organization accurately and clearly.
● Use the past tense when describing responsibilities in a previous role (a job that you no longer hold): “Maintained inventory and audited products.” Use the present tense if you still hold that position: “Assist customers and manage day-to-day operations”
● Include the dates that you held each position.
● Do not embellish your experience or job responsibilities.
● Be consistent with formatting and abbreviations throughout the entire document.
● Proofread multiple times, and have someone else review it before you send it out.
Below is a sample resume for Flores Garcia.
FLORES GARCIA
123 Main Street, Apartment 100, Chicago IL 60007
(987) 654-3210
floresgarcia123@gmail.com
WORK EXPERIENCE
Save-a-Lot, Chicago, IL
Sales Associate
November 2019- present
· Assist customers throughout the store and at checkout
· Perform credit card, gift card, cash, and check transactions
· Operate cash register and maintain daily receipts
· Stock and merchandise inventory
· Fill online orders and prep orders for shipment
We Care Agents, Chicago IL
Babysitter
September 2018- present
· Provide care to two children, ages 10 and 6, on nights and weekends
· Help with homework, make meals and snacks, and clean-up
· Accompany to practices or playdates when needed
· Entertain with games and fun activities
· Ensure bedtime tasks are carried out
EDUCATION
University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Bachelor of Arts in Communications, expected 2024
Illinois Community College, Chicago, IL
Associate Degree, Communications, May 2021
Academy of Chicago, Chicago IL
High School Diploma with Honors, June 2019
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Spanish, Native
Language English,
Bilingual or Fluent
Review Flores’ resume.
1. Is there anything you can think of that Flores could add to her resume?
Flores will continue to change her resume as she works more and holds greater responsibility.
Cover Letters
Cover letters offer a way to introduce yourself to a potential employer and to show how the skills on your resume will help you perform in the role for which you are applying. They also let an employer assess your writing style.
When writing a cover letter, you should not just repeat what is on your resume. The letter should indicate that you understand what the job entails, and that you have the necessary skills and experience to do that job.
Best Practices for Writing Cover Letters
● Use a professional tone, proper grammar, and traditional formatting (i.e. Date, address of recipient, and proper salutations)
● Address what the company would gain by hiring you
● Explain why the role is of interest to you and how it is relevant to your previous work. If it seems unrelated to your experience, draw from your specific skills instead. (For example, “I have learned to manage others and communicate instructions clearly by leading campers through activities as a camp counselor.”)
● Proofread, proofread, proofread
Interview Prep and Tips
Preparing for an interview ahead of time can ensure that you arrive on time and ready to answer questions to the best of your ability. Here are some things that you should do prior to your interview day:
● Review the job description and, if applicable, the application materials you
submitted(such as your cover letter and resume)
● Research the organization or company
● Think about how you may answer common interview questions. For a list of
samplequestions and answers, visit
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/top-interview-questions-and-best-answers-2061225
● Map out where you need to go, how you will get there, and how much time it will take
● Figure out what to wear -- If you aren’t sure how casual or formal a place may be, it is generally best to dress nicer than you think you need to
● Come up with some questions to ask the interviewer about the organization / role
If you tend to get very nervous before interviews, it may help to have a friend or peer practice with you so that you feel more comfortable. Be careful not to memorize answers so that you do not sound too rehearsed, but it is a good idea to have some things in mind that you will want to say.
What to do if...
-waiting for work permits
-unable to gain work authorization
-can’t find a job
Volunteer (Gena)
There are many organizations that need your skills. While you are looking for a job, consider volunteering. Many people make great connections while they are volunteering that lead to jobs. You can also learn new skills and/or keep your skills up-to-date. In addition, many employers like to see volunteer experience on your resume.
To find a volunteer position, go to https://www.volunteermatch.org/
Mario volunteered at IFWF as a translator. After 4 months, he was offered a job as a translator for a company in his city.
Informational Interviews
Another great way to learn more about a possible career path and meet people in your desired field is to set up an informational interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FsUm5noXEM
Informational interviews are where YOU ask questions to people who have
jobs that you are interested in. LinkedIn is a good way to find people who have the kinds of jobs you want that you might want to do informational interviews with. Informational interviews are a part of networking.
Questions to ask:
How did you get interested in this job?
What steps would I need to take to get a job like yours?
What do you like about your job?
What are some of the challenges related to this job?
After 5 informational interviews, the second person Flores interviewed called her and let her know about a job opportunity in her company.
Answers
Avoiding scams:
1. Answers:
a. Scam: This seems “too good to be true.” Flores has never met the person, there was no prior interaction or reason for them to reach out, and they pay does not make sense for the amount of work
b. Not a scam: Mrs. Abboud got a legitimate job from a business in her area that she went to in person. The manager was someone she met in person who asked to do a background check, as had been done for other employees
c. Scam: Never accept checks or money orders for more than you should be paid.
Resume/Cover Letter
1. Flores could add volunteer work/community service, honors and awards received, her school Grade Point Average (GPA) and/or school activities, if applicable. These things should demonstrate quality work skills, like the ability to communicate well, time management, and organizational skills, among others.