Job Search Tips for non-experienced

The process of finding a job can be difficult for anyone. How do you get a job if you have no experience? Should you settle for a job that pays less than you want? Is it better to have no job at all than to accept a job that is looked upon as a dead end? Don’t despair. There are many companies that are also willing to provide on the job training.

Here are some tips to help you begin your job search. Read other articles in this section to learn more about finding your first job and getting work experience when you have none.

• Use the Internet. You can search for jobs in your area by entering your zip code in the search field. The job descriptions will include minimum age requirements to help you determine which ones are hiring your age bracket. Also use the Internet to research the kinds of jobs available to non-experienced, to learn more about companies you’re interested in, and to understand laws and regulations.
• Get help. Many resources exist to help you in your job search. Ask your parents and other family members, teachers, coaches, friends and their parents to let you know of job openings they hear about. The more people you have helping with your search, the better your chances of finding a job.
• Do your homework. Most companies are legitimate and many part-time and starter jobs are great for non-experienced. But there are exceptions. Before you accept a job offer, learn as much as possible about the hiring company. Research it on the Internet and ask friends and relatives what they know about it. The Better Business Bureau and your local chamber of commerce are also good resources.
• Pound the pavement. A personal appearance certainly helps when you’re looking for a job. Find out which companies are hiring and go there to ask for a job application or to speak with the store manager or human-resources representative. Remember to dress appropriately and take copies of your profile.
• Be flexible. If you are willing to work off-hours or to accommodate other reasonable requests by employers, then you are more likely to be hired than the person who has a list of restrictions. Remember that jobs for teens aren’t permanent. Your primary goal is to get a job. Don’t expect a perfect situation your first time out.
• Soak up information. Use the job-search process as a way to find out what you want to do, the kind of place you would like to work and the types of jobs you’re not interested in. While you might not get your dream job right away, it helps to know your likes and dislikes for future reference. Consider each application as an opportunity to get more job-seeking experience under your belt.
• Stick with it. Don’t give up if you can’t find a job right away. Job searches take persistence and patience. It’s important to keep trying; a potential employer will notice if you have the determination and the drive to find a job. Fill out as many applications as possible

Online Job Application Tips

• Use a professional e-mail address. Whether it's the candidate for a management position who lists his e-mail address as cuddlybuns@msn.com or the applicant who writes from worksucks@mail.com, an e-mail address can and will be held against you if it conveys an image contrary to what a company is looking for.
• Don’t submit your résumé as an e-mail attachment. E-mail attachments from strangers (or friends who haven't kept their computer systems up-to-date) are more likely to contain viruses than the résumés, love letters or photos of Paris Hilton promised in the subject line. Instead, send your résumé in the body of an e-mail, unless the employer specifically asks you to send an attachment.
• Don’t leaving the subject line blank. The subject line helps get your e-mail through to the right person so you can be considered for the right job. If the job listing doesn't say what to put in the subject line, use the job title with "Experienced" in front of it (e.g. Experienced Brain Surgeon).
• Don’t use obscure software. If the employer asks you to send an attachment, don't create it in some little-known program they'll need a Ph.D. in computer systems to figure out. Instead, attach a Word document or an RTF file that can be read on all types of computer systems.
• Don’t ignor instructions. For example, if the employer asks you to fill out an online form ... actually fill it out. Don't paste your entire résumé into the first box on the form then say "see above" in the boxes that follow. The employer may be looking for specific things in each part of the form.
• Trust the spell check to catch typos. To avoid potential embarrassment, make sure you read twice before hitting send.