As the school year inches to a close and summer approaches, students of all ages begin to look for summer jobs. Finding a good summer job with limited experience can be challenging without any knowledge of how to build a resume, where to look, or how to apply. Junior Hannah Janicki added, “Maintaining a job is hard because you have to balance school with work and extracurricular activities like sports and clubs.” Here are a few steps on how to apply for the job and ace the interview!

 Begin with the simple things; step one is making a resume. As a teenager, resumes do not need to be extensive. Begin by listing your education, including high school with your expected graduation date, and any other honors or academic awards you have received. Next, include experiences like volunteering and unpaid work of any kind. Finally, include a skills section with everything you learned in high school (organizational skills, advanced computer skills, artistic skills, etc.).

 The next thing you need to do is start looking for a job. This can be done though many different apps and websites. Even though you may just be starting out, there are still many jobs perfect for you. Websites including Monster, Glassdoor, SimplyHired, and CareerBuilder are all wonderful tools to help find a great job. Another place to look is on the actual company website under the future employment section. Virtually every company has a section of their website dedicated to employment, and this makes applying for the job easier and faster than applying through a third party.

 Applying for the job can be done many different ways, though most of the time the employer is going to ask that you apply online. Though it may seem like it is impossible to catch the eye of employers through an online application, there are a few key things you can do to increase your odds of getting noticed. The first thing you can do is create an online presence, making yourself known to many employers and keeping contact with them electronically. Another thing you can do is do research on the company and include key terms or phrases throughout your application that correlate with their own business profile or company goals. This may seem like too much work, but it will be worth it in the long run!

 Finally, if you get an interview you need to prepare and be ready for the hardest part of the job application process. If you have not already, the first thing you need to do is research the business or company. Then, start thinking about what your responses to the general questions they may ask. What is your greatest weakness? Why should we hire you? Why do you want to work here? When answering these questions, always end with a positive note; this will show the employer you are willing to admit you have weaknesses but can improve in time. Obviously, you should never wear baggy clothes or any inappropriate outfits. If you are lost on what to wear, think about how the company’s employees dress; then go a step above that. Whenever you are interviewing, make sure to bring any supplies you might need, including extra resumes, a list of references, a notepad, pencils, and (if it applies) a portfolio. If you follow these steps and are always prepared for what the employer may throw at you, getting the job should be a piece of cake.