One of the most common things I hear students say is:
“I can’t have a resume because I don’t have any work experience.”
Your resume starts long before you even start your first job. All employers understand that students are starting out, and they don’t expect a 16-year-old to have years of experience or work history, but what they DO want to see is proof that you’re responsible, reliable, keen and willing to learn.
The choices you make at school are important: the sport you choose can show team spirit, the role you take at home and any work you do in the community.
Employers Aren’t Looking for Perfection
Students I talk with often think that employers are looking for the applicant who has the most experience. Most aren’t. What they ARE looking for is someone who is reliable, will work hard, can learn quickly and will be a good fit culturally for their team. Cultural fit is often the leading factor they look for, and attitude matters more than experience. Handsdown!
Whether it’s a trade career or any other industry, a student who has an enthusiastic, respectful and coachable approach will stand out more than someone with a long resume and poor attitude.
“I Have Nothing to Put on My Resume”
Are you sure?
When students think they have nothing to put on their resume, think about some of the things they may already be doing:
- Playing sport and showing commitment to a team
- Participating in school leadership programs
- Helping coach junior teams
- Babysitting younger siblings
- Helping at a family business
- Volunteering at community events
- Completing work experience
- Being part of a school production or music program
- Managing responsibilities at home
These kinds of experiences highlight to employers your responsibility, communication, teamwork and reliability traits. All highly valued by someone who is looking to employ a young person.
What Employers Actually Notice
A great example is two students seeking the same casual job.
Student A has a great resume but arrives 10 minutes late to the interview, only makes eye contact when asked and delivers basic one-word replies to questions. On the other hand, Student B is early, polite, asks lots of informed questions and shows real interest but is less experienced.
It’s clear to see who the employer will remember. Student B will be offered the job every time. Demonstrating the right attitude is paramount, and skills can be taught. Character and drive are much harder to train.
Building Your Resume Starts Today
There’s a lot of life and school experience you can build into your résumé. Much of this is built through daily habits.
It can be simple things like:
- Turning up to class on time
- Following through on commitments
- Taking feedback positively
- Participating in school activities
- Volunteering when opportunities arise
- Always treating people with respect
- Putting effort into everything you do
These might seem like normal everyday behaviours, but for employers, they show the foundation of what they are looking for in a new young employee.
Presentation Matters
Your resume is the first insight for an employer into your skills and work ethic, but it also shows your attention to detail, care and professionalism.
Presentation is also about how you present yourself when you meet a potential employer for the first time. I cannot say this enough – first impressions count!
The employer will be looking for:
- How you communicate – clear and concise
- How you dress – neat and professional
- How you shake someone’s hand – firm and with confidence
- How you introduce yourself – confidently and clearly
- How you follow up after an interview – courteously
These might seem like small actions, but they can make all the difference in leaving a great impression with a business owner.
Start Before You’re Ready
Don’t wait until you need a job to start thinking about your resume and skills for employability in the future. There’s plenty of opportunities you can pick up during school years that will be highly beneficial for adding to your resume and providing proof to employers.
You should volunteer as much as possible and participate in school initiatives like clubs and groups that show you work well with others. Asking questions, challenging yourself – all these things will build confidence and skills for the future.
The Real Difference
Students need to remember that a resume doesn’t tell potential employers everything about you, but it DOES give them a reason to meet you. Once you have that opportunity, your attitude, effort and character are far more important.
Showing initiative, communicating well and taking responsibility make a much more positive impression. At the end of the day, as in my own business, employers don’t just hire skills, they hire PEOPLE. Real people.
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Through engaging school presentations, Jonno McCartney helps students understand what employers are really looking for and how they can start building valuable employability skills long before they apply for their first job.