After my friend told me she got a job as a lifeguard last spring, I realized that it was about time I entered the workforce and found myself something to do outside of school, and of course, a source of income. So, I started my search. I applied for jobs on Indeed and called every place nearby. However, every time, it was either a rejection, or they would just never give me an update. After getting too frustrated with the constant cycle, I decided to just enjoy my summer and give up.
It stayed that way for a while, and I was simply going to school, napping, eating, and sleeping. But I was never truly happy with the fact that I gave up on my job hunt. Why should I let being 15 mean I can’t work? So I told myself, I would choose one more place, and leave it up to fate. However, I would no longer just apply with nothing but a name, face, and age.
After finding I could apply online to Chick-fil-A at their Marlton location via their website, even though they weren’t actively hiring, I decided it was time to act. To get this job, here are the things that I did to outdo every other applicant:
Number 1, MAKE A RESUME. Not only this, but one of my biggest tips when creating a resume is to add anything that a job could consider interesting and relevant, no matter how small it seems. One of the things I added that really helped me to get the job was that I acted as a school lunch lady for one day for Mr. Gateway.
My interviewer mentioned that she thought it was very interesting and respected when applicants would take their time to make a resume heavily detailed. I also included my work as technical director for Gateway’s morning announcements and what I learned about teamwork as part of Mock Trial. So definitely do NOT skip this step! You can showcase your skills and experience, even if you didn’t learn them in a traditional job.
Number 2, look up the common interview questions for the kind of job you are interviewing for, and do your best to practice them. In this situation, I would recommend utilizing AI as a mock interviewer and ask it to rate your answers after they ask each common question. This helped me tons, and the interviewer really did ask most of the questions I was expecting and practiced for. I personally am not a huge advocate for AI, but finding specific uses for it like this one can really be beneficial for finding jobs.
Finally, number 3, don’t fake your personality. Obviously, don’t talk to your interviewer in slang or monotone, but don’t tell them that you are an outgoing person if, in reality, you don’t really enjoy talking and dealing with strangers. Always look for a job that most suits your personality type, and then allow yourself to be as honest as possible in your interview.
This worked for me. I was immediately hired and get about 6 to 9 hours a week, which suits me just fine at 15.
In my personal experience, working a job that suits me as a person and with a good community has made me improve myself mentally, physically, and financially. I’ve made some great friends and had enriching experiences throughout my time working, and I believe you will too. I’ve learned customer service, how to take feedback well, and how to be part of a strong team. These skills will help me in life even when not on the job.
So good luck, have fun, and if any of my advice has helped or inspired you, let me know in the comment section below if it helps! Thanks for reading!
