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Originally Posted by dontknownuthin

yes - know that the job market is tough and do not take rejections personally. It will take time. If you aren't getting responses to your resume or applications, seek out help in tweeking the way you are presenting yourself. And you hit on one thing - volunteering - in your original question. You haven't done much, well, do more. If you worked at a soup kitchen it would be relevant to a job in a restaurant. If you worked on a Habitat for Humanity project it would be relevant to getting work in construction. Help planning an event at church, and it will also be relevant to organizing events for a business.

Target who you want to work for and ask around if anyone you know has connections there, and whether they could put a good word in for you or hand-deliver your resume or application to the hiring managers. Do any of your friends have jobs where you would like to work? Ask if they are hiring and see if the friends will help you.

You do have to apply through the prescribed channels like websites but you can also work on jobs from additional angels. For example, say your friend works at Target - fill out the online application but also hand a copy of your resume, with a nice cover letter addressed to the manager of the store (find out their name - call the store and ask or it will be posted in the front of the store probably if you look), telling them that you want to work for Target, some reasons why, and that you have applied formally through their process. Ask for an interview.

Here's a sample letter to give you a general idea (obviously it would be adjusted depending on the job and employer you are targetting):

Dear (name of manager):

I am a long-time customer of Target and have always been impressed by the quality of service and merchandize that you offer. As I prepare to enter the workforce, Target stands out as my ideal potential employer and I will greatly appreciate your consideration.

I am a 20 year old, entry-level worker but have a great deal to offer. First, I very much want to work, succeed and grow with my employer. My hope would be to secure an entry-level position with you, prove myself over time and earn the opportunity to train one day for a role in management. I will accept any work and be grateful for it.

Among my most relevant qualifications are:
- High school diploma
- Computer literacy
- A strong work ethic
- Loyalty, maturity, timeliness and reliability
- A positive, can-do attitude

I understand that Target utilizes online application processes and have submitted my application through your website. I wished to additionally reach out, as I imagine thousands likely apply. My good friend, Joe Smith, was kind enough to offer deliver this letter to you so that I can personally ask for an interview, and express my sincere interest in working for you. Thank you for considering my request.

Warmest regards

Your name
Phone number
email address

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Well done!

See, youDOknowsomething! ;)

Internet was cut off these past days...

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Originally Posted by despicableme

internet was cut off these past days...

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So what have you been up to? Any progress?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dontknownuthin

yes - know that the job market is tough and do not take rejections personally. It will take time. If you aren't getting responses to your resume or applications, seek out help in tweeking the way you are presenting yourself. And you hit on one thing - volunteering - in your original question. You haven't done much, well, do more. If you worked at a soup kitchen it would be relevant to a job in a restaurant. If you worked on a Habitat for Humanity project it would be relevant to getting work in construction. Help planning an event at church, and it will also be relevant to organizing events for a business.

Target who you want to work for and ask around if anyone you know has connections there, and whether they could put a good word in for you or hand-deliver your resume or application to the hiring managers. Do any of your friends have jobs where you would like to work? Ask if they are hiring and see if the friends will help you.

You do have to apply through the prescribed channels like websites but you can also work on jobs from additional angels. For example, say your friend works at Target - fill out the online application but also hand a copy of your resume, with a nice cover letter addressed to the manager of the store (find out their name - call the store and ask or it will be posted in the front of the store probably if you look), telling them that you want to work for Target, some reasons why, and that you have applied formally through their process. Ask for an interview.

Here's a sample letter to give you a general idea (obviously it would be adjusted depending on the job and employer you are targetting):

Dear (name of manager):

I am a long-time customer of Target and have always been impressed by the quality of service and merchandize that you offer. As I prepare to enter the workforce, Target stands out as my ideal potential employer and I will greatly appreciate your consideration.

I am a 20 year old, entry-level worker but have a great deal to offer. First, I very much want to work, succeed and grow with my employer. My hope would be to secure an entry-level position with you, prove myself over time and earn the opportunity to train one day for a role in management. I will accept any work and be grateful for it.

Among my most relevant qualifications are:
- High school diploma
- Computer literacy
- A strong work ethic
- Loyalty, maturity, timeliness and reliability
- A positive, can-do attitude

I understand that Target utilizes online application processes and have submitted my application through your website. I wished to additionally reach out, as I imagine thousands likely apply. My good friend, Joe Smith, was kind enough to offer deliver this letter to you so that I can personally ask for an interview, and express my sincere interest in working for you. Thank you for considering my request.

Warmest regards

Your name
Phone number
email address

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Thanks for the cover letter idea! Along with my resume, a cover letter is something I'm struggling with immensely.. I don't have any friends or know any family members that I can use as a connection so don't know how that's going to work out but I'll see.

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

So what have you been up to? Any progress?

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Umm, not really no. I applied to a bunch of jobs but that was it. I don't know what else to do really.

Oh, I'm going to this resume writing class in a few days and a bunch of recruitment fairs are coming up in a few more days so wait for that? Don't know.

You will want to have a functional resume, not a chronological one -- in other words, you want to focus on what you can do, not where you have worked (thus showing lack of work background). And P.S. Volunteer experience DOES count!

What are you good at? And yes, you are good at things. I know that already.

Uhh... that's the problem... how am I suppose to know? I'm being dead serious here. I seriously have no clue. My parent's look at me like I have two heads if I ask them that question. My sisters are no help either.

Well, we know you are a good writer and communicate well in writing. You are an eager learner and, when corrected, try harder to fix things. I could probably put together a basic resume for you. What did you do as a volunteer?

Umm... now or in the past years.. Because helping package boxes, labeling them, and stacking 'em on pallets to be pulled away by the forklift is the most recent volunteer "experience" that I have acquired. Sometimes a few instances as one of the bell ringers outside and some other stuff from high school.

Make a list of all those, with years if you can, but not necessary.

How about any of these (or add new ones you think of that fit) --

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Offer professional-quality administrative assistant skills and excellent work ethic
Possess effective interpersonal and communication skills
Quickly comprehend new methods and procedures
Am proficient, loyal, thorough
Work well independently and also effectively within team environments
Possess very strong problem-solving skills
Have basic computer knowledge

Oh! What do you think is a good excuse as to why I haven't had any volunteer experience at my age? That would seem strange for some 20 year old to get their first job, no? If excluding ages 14-15, (babysitting, paperboy/girl etc.. ) starting at age 16 theirs a gap of 4 years I could have been working a job. Theirs just no excuse right?

You don't have to list volunteering and/or jobs by year that would show a gap. There are ways around that. STOP BEING SO NEGATIVE!! Work with me here.

What have you been doing for those four years?

Thanks! That looks pretty good wondergirl. So I got two volunteer experience to put on my resume what else? I am looking on my own also just asking for input.

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

What have you been doing for those four years?

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Basically nothing. The only interesting things I could put was I was in First Robotics competition. Helped build robot, worked with various saws, drill presses, measuring tape, blah blah blah worked with things you can find in a metal shop.

Along with 2 other classmates we helped our principal get funding for a new room.

Participated in this DeCA program , forgot what is was about.

And some other stuff I cannot remember because it was back in high-school.

Do you type fast? Speed? Accurately?
Which computer programs are you familiar with? Word? Excel? Any art software or programs?

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Originally Posted by despicableme

Basically nothing. The only interesting things I could put was I was in First Robotics competition. Helped build robot, worked with various saws, drill presses, measuring tape, blah blah blah worked with things you can find in a metal shop.

Along with 2 other classmates we helped our principal get funding for a new room.

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Very important!!

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Participated in this DeCA program , forgot what is was about.

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Can you find out more?

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And some other stuff I cannot remember because it was back in high-school.

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Remember or call the high school or ask someone who might remember -- a parent?

Methinks you are much too hard on yourself!

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Do you type fast? speed? accurately?
Which computer programs are you familiar with? Word? Excel? any art software or programs?

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I can type somewhat quickly but my spelling is absolutely atrocious. I am family with word, excel, photoshop but that's about it. Doesn't mean I can't learn about it though. Right now I'm trying to teach myself JavaScript and HTML, Python. I can code some stuff but I'm no pro.

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Originally Posted by despicableme

I can type somewhat quickly but my spelling is absolutely atrocious. I am family with word, excel, photoshop but that's about it. Doesn't mean I can't learn about it though. Right now I'm trying to teach myself JavaScript and HTML, Python. I can code some stuff but I'm no pro.

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But with a Spell Check program...

I do know you are a quick learner.

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Very important!!!

Can you find out more?

Remember or call the high school or ask someone who might remember -- a parent?

Methinks you are much too hard on yourself!

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For Deca it was this competitive event where you dress professionally and learn about entrepreneurship, and careers in hospitality and tourism, business, and finance. You also play team building/leadership exercises and at the end you meet with a bunch of high level people for connections to jobs. You also do practice interviews. At the end there was this competition.

I lost all contact with any friends, coworkers, principals because they merged with another school and almost all the teachers that knew me left.

As for the funding, we sat and listed to this board meeting and then the 3 of us students spoke about why we should get the funding for our school. We got it by the way. XD

I can picture an interesting resume in your future.

Something like this sample, with your own information, of course (but skip the Job Objective section) --

http://www.careersearchdatabase.com/...nal-resume.gif

If you say so Wondergirl. I could have done so much more if I wasn't so shy, social anxious, and wasn't so damn lazy. If I had the social skills my classmates had.. everything would have been totally different. All my teachers liked me and would have given me school recommendations on the spot but I never bothered to ask and did the bare minimum to get by. If I bothered to improve my writing skills essays for scholarships would have been a breeze.

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Something like this sample, with your own information, of course (but skip the Job Objective section) --

http://www.careersearchdatabase.com/...nal-resume.gif

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Right-O. I will make this resume but all of the things I've done are looong in the past. Why should it matter now? It's not relevant now.

That was then; this is now. And you have me in your corner (along with others here). No regrets. Let's move forward.

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Originally Posted by despicableme

Right-O. I will make this resume but all of the things I've done are looong in the past. Why should it matter now? It's not relevant now.

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You are only 20 years old. Yes, it's all relevant!! I will pound that into your head if I have to! Your previous experiences show a lot about you.

Fine! You win, jeez. Lol Oh and I should have mentioned I have worked some but since it was only for 3 months I didn't count it.

It was this cashiering gig, but it was only for 3 months so I don't think it'll count.

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Originally Posted by despicableme

Fine! You win, jeez. lol Oh and I should have mentioned I have worked some but since it was only for 3 months I didn't count it.

It was this cashiering gig, but it was only for 3 months so I dont think it'll count.

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Let's include it. Were you comfortable handling money? What didn't you like about it?

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Let's include it. Were you comfortable handling money? What didn't you like about it?

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I was comfortable handling the money at times but I didn't like it at all. At times I would break down and cry because I would go to slow and the customers would make a remark about it. Money handling was absolutely boring me to death. The manager wasn't ever there and the cash register didn't work. But it was boring most of the time. The only reason I left was because a fomer employee was selling drugs, and the manger was in on it. After they shot up the place they closed it down for good.

But you know you can handle money. It's more the stress of dealing with people that's not good for you. Right?

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

But you know you can handle money. It's more the stress of dealing with people that's not good for you. Right?

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Right. I don't want a job right now having to sell or face customers. That's why I wanted a job like being a room attendant in a hotel or an inventory associate or a dishwasher, something I can focus without having to worry about a rude customer or keeping up with selling goals stuff like that.

Want to put together a basic resume before your workshop?

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Want to put together a basic resume before your workshop?

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Oh god yes please.

Crappers. I'm so sorry, I got to go. My sister needs me to watch her kids for her so she can work. I'll be back later. Please don't be mad >.<

I put together a resume, so I'll post it on Friday and we can talk about it. Nuts, will post it here (the Word version looks a bit nicer) --

ABBY LANE
123 North Avenue
Oshkosh, WI 12345
(555) 555-5555
[email protected]

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Offer professional-quality administrative assistant skills and an excellent work ethic
Possess proven history of reliability and punctuality
Quickly comprehend and follow established procedures and safety rules
Am responsible, detail-oriented, dependable, and have excellent time-management skills.
Work well independently and and in a team environment
Possess very strong problem-solving skills
Have basic computer knowledge (Word, Excel, PhotoShop) and am teaching myself JavaScript, HTML, and Python

SPECIAL PROJECTS

Robotics competition -- helped build robot, worked with various saws, drill presses, measuring tape, and other tools/equipment in the high school metal shop.
* Made sure everyone worked at high-safety levels when using various dangerous tools
* Focused on high degree of accuracy when measuring with ruler and measuring tape to cut the right amount of materials, used special markers to note where to drill holes, made sure all parts were correctly located
* Communicated effectively with classmates and faculty to create and draw plan for robot

Warehouse Worker/Package handler, Wisconsin Food Harvest
*Coordinated with other workers to package foods into the correct containers and label them correctly
* Ensured all food was stacked neatly on pallets before being moved by forklift

DECA member (international association of high school and college students and teachers of marketing, management, and entrepreneurship in business, finance, hospitality, and marketing sales and service) -- dressed professionally, learned about entrepreneurship and careers in hospitality/tourism/business/finance, played team building/leadership exercises, practiced job interviewing, met with high-level professionals for connections to jobs.

Fund raising -- worked with two classmates to obtain funding for the high school principal for a new cooking room

WORK HISTORY

Child care -- implement parents' rules, gently discipline as necessary, engage them in specific learning activities, dispense medication per parents' instructions, feed them as needed, put them to bed as requested, help with other household chores.

Newspaper delivery – sorted and stuffed newspapers before delivery, distributed [daily newspaper?] to residences on a designated route and on schedule, engaged in monetary transactions with customers and central newspaper office, maintained customer accounts.

EDUCATION

ABC High School, Oshkosh, WI (2008)

Everyone is amazing helping me though.. If I had to get the chance meet you I'd be so honored and greateful.

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Originally Posted by despicableme

Everyone is amazing helping me though..If I had to get the chance meet ya'll i'd be so honored and greateful.

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Ya look pretty darn good, doncha! I can remove or tweak any of the points that refer to customer service skills.

So many jobs I see I know I can do/have an interest in but either have no social skills for it,too far away, or have no experience it just not fair at all. Lmao. My cousin is even the hiring manager for the casino I want to work for and still can't get in. I just simply suck.

You're only 20 years old. You're not supposed to have experience! And there are tons of jobs that don't demand social skills. Like I mentioned, the library jobs as a page and even in tech services doing copy cataloging or processing of library materials or helping out with the homebound book delivery program as a "mule" (carrying the books into nursing homes and old people's homes, and then gathering up the books to be returned and hauling them out). Maybe consider being a library volunteer or even an unpaid intern somewhere. One autistic (very non verbal) guy I know has a job in an Amazon warehouse and loves it!

May I ask which state are you in and even a city (i.e. library close to you)? I will call them to find out about their work situation and volunteer possibilities.