A tool to help your young folks to find their first job

Looking for your first job is daunting for anyone. In an ideal world that first job would happen during school as a part time or casual activity embedding work ethic, employability skills (think punctuality, dress code, manner). Unfortunately this isn't always easy to achieve, particularly for young people growing up in the regions. Why? Well, there are numerous reasons ranging from transport to getting the foot in the door - but let's just pause those for today. The assistance that most of the young people I speak with actually need is help to write a resume.

I've spent many a Friday night or Saturday morning throwing together resumes for the young people in my world. Why? Because this is one of the most significant stumbling blocks a young person will have to connecting with the labour market in the early years - and at the same time it gives me an opportunity to have a robust conversation with a young person about what they really want to do for work, and throw around a few ideas.

Believe it or not the 'what do I want to do when I grow up' conversation is one that just isn't on the radar for too many young people. Even though it's such an important chat to have.

So let me talk you through the resume writing process...

First of all, download this template that MS Word and I Co-created. HERE (noting, that's the easy part - sorry).

Now - put your big girl/boy pants on, get your younger person to sit down with you and start asking questions.

1. Start with the obvious, typing as you go. Name, date of birth, contact details, school subjects, dates
2. Find out what the young person is really about - oh yes, even if this young person is made of your genetic material these questions are still very important to ask:

• What hobbies interest you the most?
• What roles do you see yourself doing? What inspires you? What would you like to do?
• How would you like that role to look? Is it something like a school based traineeship? Work experience? Casual work?
• Is there an industry that you'd really like to work in right now? What do you like about that idea?

Summarise the responses to these questions into the 'about me' sections

3. Work experience: Ask what casual or part time jobs they have had? What voluntary work have they done. List each work experience opportunity in order from the most current - add a few extras in if you need to (but try and keep it to 3 max). Underneath each work experience list the skills applied. Noting that the young person probably won't know what skills they applied. This is where you ask questions like:

• So, what did you do while you were there?
• That's interesting, tell me more about that
• And how did you do that?

4. Look for hidden gems: Likely as not you will need to spend a bit of time drawing out all of the incredible things your young person has done along the way that should be enshrined within their resume. Ask questions like:

• Have you done any volunteering?
• What hobbies do you have?
• Have you been involved in any programs at school? Things like School Representative Council (SRC), volunteering at the canteen, peer support, Science Challenge or other?
• Have you been involved with any groups outside of school (Scouts, Girl Guides, Surf Life Saving or other)

Look for experiences that have been either over a long term, or recent experiences.

Hope this helps a little. Tell me. What other challenges are you having in finding work for your young person? Let's solve this together.

Kerry Grace is a voice for regional Australians.