U.S. Archive
Canadian ArchiveApril 2010
Many of my students are interested in applying for their first summer job. But in today's tight economy, they're finding that a lot of ads are asking for work experience.
How can they gain work experience if they can't get hired without experience?
Sincerely,
Val Ontears
Dear Val,
It sounds as if you've discovered a classic catch-22! If you're not familiar with the expression, it often refers to a situation that cannot be resolved because the conditions required for a solution conflict with each other.
Confused? Let's take a look at a common example: breaking into the working world. Many jobs require work experience. But how do students get that experience if they can't get a job without experience?
Fortunately, there's an easy answer -- volunteering. Volunteering is a great way to build job skills, make valuable connections and help others. Students can even find volunteer opportunities that align with their career goals. Check out our Life section for a range of volunteer ideas.
Volunteering looks great on a resume. Which reminds me: if students don't have a lot of work experience for their resumes, they might want to consider a functional resume. Functional resumes focus on their skills and knowledge, not their work history.
Students can learn more about creating a winning resume in our Job Hunting section. They'll also find other valuable tips for getting started in the world of work.
With a little volunteer experience and the right job-seeking skills, your students can feel confident when they start looking for a summer job. Good luck to them!
Until next time,
P.S. Don't forget to check out our newest edition of IMPACT! This edition focuses on Earth Day and the wide range of jobs that can help the planet.
http://impact.xap.com/
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