Navigating the job search process can be challenging for young adults just starting out in their careers. So, supporting your child on their employment journey with these helpful strategies can be a great idea.
1. Craft a compelling CV
Even though your child may not have much work experience, it’s never too early to create a CV. They can include plenty of experience to make them stand out from the competition, such as academic projects, extracurricular activities or any other relevant achievements.
Firstly, remember that employers value concise CVs that highlight relevant skills and experiences from school, university or part-time work. It’s best practice to display the most recent experience at the top of the page, followed by key skills and interests. Recruiters and hiring managers are often time-poor and may quickly read through applications, so keeping CVs to one page can grab their attention.
Writing a cover letter is also an invaluable skill to help your child succeed in future job applications. Cover letters should show your child’s potential and express enthusiasm for the job they’re applying for. Once your child has summarised their personal and professional achievements, they can tailor their cover letter for each application – tweaking elements based on the role, industry and sector.
2. Explore networking opportunities
Networking is an effective way of connecting with like-minded professionals and identifying job opportunities. Your child can start networking in many ways, such as attending job fairs, searching for networking events online or getting in touch with alumni networks that can help introduce graduates to professional contacts. Engaging in networking can help young adults shape their interests, encourage preparation for future roles, and expand their career horizons.
Connecting with experienced professionals and like-minded young people is also a great way to build confidence and social skills, which can help your child’s performance in job interviews and at work. Practising their communication skills with others and participating in group activities can also be useful in building relationships and teamwork skills.
3. Optimise your job-search strategy
Searching and applying for a job can be time-consuming, but there are things your child can do to streamline the process and find relevant opportunities faster and more effectively. Start by encouraging your child to reach out to friends and family who may work in an area they’re interested in.
Next, visiting job boards, company websites, and social media sites can be helpful ways for your child to start their search. Popular sites such as Indeed, Monster and LinkedIn can make it easy to sort job posts by discipline and industry. There are also teen-focused platforms, such as Funngro, Teenlancer, and Jobs4teens, that might be helpful for relevant openings. Considering part-time jobs or summer work experience can also be an excellent first step.
Once your child has identified a job opportunity they’re interested in, you can help them navigate the application process in a few simple steps. Firstly, outline what information employers typically ask for, such as personal details, education history and work experience. Then, explain how to ask for a reference and help them choose a good contact. Lastly, proofread the application with them and ensure all the details are accurate. This will help your child understand what to include, who to contact for support and the importance of reviewing the application before submission.
4. Prepare for the interview
Preparing for the interview is one of the most significant parts of the job application process. The key is to prepare for common questions about competencies such as organisational and communication skills. Ask your child to recall a time when they were able to solve a problem, work as part of a team or make an important decision. Writing these experiences down and reading them aloud can help them answer questions effectively on the day.
It can also be helpful to explain to your child that there are specific questions that employers cannot legally ask interviewees. For example, everyone can refuse to answer questions about age, race, gender, disability, religion and political views. This knowledge can help your child understand what is appropriate to share about themselves and recognise that the reason for being hired should be based wholly on merit.
Help your child in their job search process by encouraging them to conduct in-depth research that could set them apart from other contenders for the role. For example, researching potential employers can help their interview performance and increase their appeal to the hiring manager. This can help show that your child is demonstrating their background knowledge about the company and is serious about the role. Preparing thoughtful questions for the interviewer – about the role, work culture, company values, and strategy – is a good tip for showing their interest in and suitability for the role.
5. Be positive and supportive
Job hunting can be challenging, so encouraging your child and keeping them motivated can be helpful. Your support can go a long way and help lead to their success. Filling in many applications and attending multiple interviews may be challenging, so provide enthusiasm and encouragement to support their job-hunting experience. Why not keep your child motivated by celebrating their achievements, both big and small?
Finding the ideal job the first time around is not always possible, so it can also help to set realistic expectations. The job application process can be challenging, but it is a valuable experience that teaches us about failure and success. Falling and getting back up again is an important life lesson to help prepare your child for their professional life.