Five signs you might be ready for your first job

Have you started thinking about working for the first time?

It’s a big step, but a good one – the research shows that young people who work part time at some point during their education may find it easier to move into a full-time job, and take less time to find a stable job than those who don’t work while they’re still at school.

If you are wondering if you should be looking for a job, here are five signs that may indicate that you’re ready to work part time:

You are thinking about making some money
This could be to have more control over what you can buy, to save for something big like a car, or just because you’re ready to start building your wealth and working towards billionaire status. If you’ve been thinking a bit lately about how much money you have then that might be a good sign that you’re ready to look for a job.
You can manage your time by yourself
To work part time you’ll need to be reliable and keep track of your own time and shifts, so if you feel like you are able to manage your schedule by yourself then this could be a good sign that you’re ready to take on more responsibility.
You feel confident talking to adults
Even if you find a job with a large proportion of teen workers (think fast-food, the supermarket, or the pizza shop), you’ll still need to be able to speak confidently with adults, so if you feel like you’ve crossed this barrier lately then you might be ready to work. You’ll know if you’ve reached this stage because you feel confident buying things at the shop, or calling the hairdresser to book a haircut.
You are old enough to legally work
There are rules around how old you need to be before you can start work, so if you’ve passed those age barriers then it’s a sign that you’re ‘officially’ old enough to work. If you’re not sure, search online for labour laws in your location and do your own research (if you can do that, it’s another sign you’re ready to work).
You want to build more work-ready skills
Working part-time is a great way to make a ‘soft’ entry into the workforce – you’ll have more space to learn the ropes and it’s expected that you’ll probably make a few mistakes. You’ll learn about shifts and uniforms, timesheets and payslips, and you’ll also learn a lot about working in an adult environment, which can help you prepare for working in a more formal and less forgiving environment down the track.

After all this, if you think you’re ready then the next thing to do is starting looking at jobs around you in the kinds of workplaces you’re interested in.

Translating the stuff you do now into language employers will understand

Do you ever feel like you do lots of great things, but you’re not sure how to word this in a way that an employer would understand? We’ve got five examples here of how you can translate the great stuff you do every day into grown-up language for application forms, resume, and written statements.

The truth is that we spend a lot of our time talking to young people, and we know that you do so many amazing things that are preparing you for the world of work. Things like managing social media followers, starting your own online business, coding mods for minecraft, refereeing sports teams, and caring for family members. But it’s not always easy to word these amazing achievements in a way that makes sense to those of us who grew up before social media was a thing, which is where you need a translator.

We used ChatGPT to generate professional-sounding descriptions that you could use in a resume or an interview. To generate these answers, we used the prompt “Write a short role description for….”

Social Media

If you’ve managed your social media accounts as an influencer, you have;

…used your personal brand and online presence to engage with followers and promote products and services. Your key responsibilities included:

Creating and publishing high-quality content across multiple social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitter,
Engaging with followers by responding to comments and messages and creating interactive content, such as polls and Q&As
Collaborating with brands to promote their products and services through sponsored posts and collaborations
Building and maintaining a strong personal brand by consistently publishing relevant and engaging content that resonates with your audience,
Staying up-to-date on industry trends and emerging platforms to expand your reach and engage with new audiences,
Utilising analytics tools to track the success of your content and adjust your strategy as needed, and
Building a network of fellow influencers and industry professionals to expand your reach and opportunities for collaboration.

Your unique voice and engaging content helped you to build a large following and establish yourself as a trusted authority in your niche.

Started your own business

If you’ve started and run your own online reselling business, you have;

…started your own business by sourcing and reselling products online. Your key responsibilities included:

Sourcing products from various suppliers to offer a diverse range of products to customers,
Listing and managing products on online marketplaces, such as Amazon and eBay,
Creating and implementing marketing strategies to increase sales and attract new customers,
Responding to customer inquiries and handling orders and shipping logistics,
Analyzing sales data and customer feedback to continually improve the customer experience and increase sales,
Staying up-to-date on industry trends and consumer preferences to make informed purchasing decisions and maintain a competitive edge, and
Managing financial records and tracking expenses to ensure profitability.

With your entrepreneurial spirit and drive, you successfully started and grew your own online reselling business, providing customers with high-quality products and exceptional customer service.

Coded game modifications

If you’ve created your own modifications for Minecraft (or any other game), you have;

…demonstrated exceptional skills in game design, development, and project management.

They have a deep understanding of game engines, programming languages, and industry-standard tools and techniques, as well as the ability to turn creative ideas into engaging and interactive gaming experiences. This individual is a self-starter with a passion for games and the ability to work independently or as part of a team.They have demonstrated their ability to successfully manage all aspects of game development, from conceptualization to launch, and have produced a game that is enjoyed by a significant number of players. Their unique experience and skill set make them an asset to any game development team.

Refereed a junior sports team

If you’ve started and run your own online reselling business, you have been;

…responsible for enforcing the rules and regulations of a sporting event to ensure fair play and the safety of participants.They make on-the-spot decisions during the game, such as determining penalties, awarding points, and resolving disputes. Additionally, they may also be responsible for keeping score, operating equipment, and communicating with players, coaches, and other officials.Junior Sports Referees typically work under the supervision of experienced referees and may receive training in a specific sport’s rules and regulations.

Cared for a disabled family member

If you’ve started and run your own online reselling business, you have;

…demonstrated exceptional compassion, patience, and responsibility. They have provided daily support, assistance, and care to a loved one with a disability, ensuring their well-being and quality of life. This individual has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and is experienced in providing personal care, managing medications, and assisting with daily activities. They have also demonstrated strong organizational skills, as they have managed schedules, appointments, and household tasks while providing care. Their unique experience and dedication to caring for others make them a valuable asset to any caregiving or support role.

MY FUTURE Careers Newsletter

Issue 1 · 10 Feb 2023

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