[Enigma1999]

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

Well done!

See, youDOknowsomething! ;)

[despicableme]

Internet was cut off these past days...

[Wondergirl]

internet was cut off these past days...

So what have you been up to? Any progress?

[despicableme]

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

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.

[despicableme]

So what have you been up to? Any progress?

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

[despicableme]

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.

[Wondergirl]

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.

[despicableme]

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.

[Wondergirl]

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?

[despicableme]

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.

[Wondergirl]

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

[despicableme]

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?

[Wondergirl]

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.

[Wondergirl]

What have you been doing for those four years?

[despicableme]

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.

[despicableme]

What have you been doing for those four years?

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.

[Wondergirl]

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

[Wondergirl]

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.

Very important!!

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

Can you find out more?

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

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

Methinks you are much too hard on yourself!

[despicableme]

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

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.

[Wondergirl]

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.

But with a Spell Check program...

I do know you are a quick learner.