Saturday, March 10, 2007
Looking For A Job
Dear Guidance Guy,
I'm 17 years old and I'm a little confused and looking for some advice if you don't mind.
I'm in a screwed up position. I dropped out of high school and at the moment I'm getting into a GED program. I really need help getting a job, I know it's not easy as 1,2,3 and looking for a job is a job in itself. Please if you can advice me how can I go about starting out. It feels like I've try everything in book. Not sure if I made myself clear.
Thank You,
Jeff
*** *** ***
Dear Jeff,
I think you made yourself pretty clear. There are a number of things that could be going wrong here, and I'll tell you what the most likely problems are...
First, it's true you are at a disadvantage as someone who doesn't have a high school diploma. Employers will usually choose someone with a diploma over someone who doesn't if all other things are equal. And it may have something to do with the way you present yourself, either in the way you dress or the way you speak. I had to correct a number of spelling mistakes in your letter, so if you fill out an application with mistakes, it's a turn off to employers.
But I there are one thing that may be the key. You see the job search as a "job in itself" so you are probably not bringing a lot of enthusiasm to what you're doing. Employers love a great attitude more than anything else. They'll be willing to overlook not having a diploma or spelling mistakes, etc. if they see someone with great energy. And you have the desire to get a job, but how are you showing yourself to the world?
Try this...instead of seeing this as a job in itself, look at your job search as the next big adventure in your life. Even if it's not a career path type of job, someone is going to pay you money to get experience, have a way to fill up your days, and teach you new skills you can keep forever. That's something to get excited about. And it's that EXCITEMENT that will make you a better candidate for a position.
Jeff, you have a lot of potential to make something good happen. That can be the start of the next and greatest part of your life. It's all about how you see it. Get happy about the direction your life can go in if you choose it, and let the world see some of that happiness.
Best of Luck,
The Guidance Guy
I'm 17 years old and I'm a little confused and looking for some advice if you don't mind.
I'm in a screwed up position. I dropped out of high school and at the moment I'm getting into a GED program. I really need help getting a job, I know it's not easy as 1,2,3 and looking for a job is a job in itself. Please if you can advice me how can I go about starting out. It feels like I've try everything in book. Not sure if I made myself clear.
Thank You,
Jeff
*** *** ***
Dear Jeff,
I think you made yourself pretty clear. There are a number of things that could be going wrong here, and I'll tell you what the most likely problems are...
First, it's true you are at a disadvantage as someone who doesn't have a high school diploma. Employers will usually choose someone with a diploma over someone who doesn't if all other things are equal. And it may have something to do with the way you present yourself, either in the way you dress or the way you speak. I had to correct a number of spelling mistakes in your letter, so if you fill out an application with mistakes, it's a turn off to employers.
But I there are one thing that may be the key. You see the job search as a "job in itself" so you are probably not bringing a lot of enthusiasm to what you're doing. Employers love a great attitude more than anything else. They'll be willing to overlook not having a diploma or spelling mistakes, etc. if they see someone with great energy. And you have the desire to get a job, but how are you showing yourself to the world?
Try this...instead of seeing this as a job in itself, look at your job search as the next big adventure in your life. Even if it's not a career path type of job, someone is going to pay you money to get experience, have a way to fill up your days, and teach you new skills you can keep forever. That's something to get excited about. And it's that EXCITEMENT that will make you a better candidate for a position.
Jeff, you have a lot of potential to make something good happen. That can be the start of the next and greatest part of your life. It's all about how you see it. Get happy about the direction your life can go in if you choose it, and let the world see some of that happiness.
Best of Luck,
The Guidance Guy
# posted by Larry Hochman : 7:33 AM
