Finding Your First Job as an Arizona Teen
It’s the holiday season and you need some cash —quick. Or, maybe worrying about what gifts to give is a problem you wish you had. We understand what that’s like. Whatever your situation, making sure you have enough money to pay for essentials and bills is a top priority.
As a teen living in Arizona, the job options may seem limited, especially if you’re still working on building your skills. However, there is a worker shortage in Arizona and many companies are ready to hire now. If you can show that you’re reliable and willing to be a productive employee, you will be in high demand. So prepare your resume and get to searching!
Online job lists
Job sites like Indeed.com, Ziprecruiter.com, Glassdoor.com, Careerbuilder.com, and SimplyHired are popular places to find a job online. Many companies post their job opportunities on these sites. There are also many people searching for a job online so, there can be a lot of competition for these jobs. However, they do provide a wide variety of job options in different fields.
Pro tip: Search for jobs that are posted on Indeed.com, Ziprecruiter, and CareerBuilder at the same time! Visit CareerOneStop to search and see results from all three job sites at once.
Local Arizona job lists
While the larger sites may have a large number of job listings, it can be difficult to find the ones that are most suitable for you. The State of Arizona provides several programs to help individuals find jobs they need, particularly when it comes to entry-level jobs where you can get started in a particular field. These sites include:
In addition to job listings, they also provide job search advice and services to help you become career-ready.
Career/Job fairs
Career fairs can be great for meeting potential employers and giving them a chance to get to know you personally. When potential employers meet you face-to-face, you get an opportunity to stand out from the competition.
Look for Career Fairs and other in-person job networking events through your school or community groups/organizations like Pipeline AZ and Arizona@Work.
Ask your people
It’s always a good idea to get referred to a job versus applying without any connections to a company. When you are referred to a job by someone, you are more likely to get more consideration for a role. Don’t hesitate to ask those you know if they are aware of any job opportunities that they would recommend for you. You never know what you might discover!
Now Hiring —You!
Another good idea is to look for “Now Hiring” signs in your area. It’s literally a sign —that you should apply! Businesses love to hire people that have been customers since they know that person likes their service or product. If you see a Now Hiring sign, talk to a Manager and see if you can meet with them for an interview then or later at a scheduled time.
If you’re a Grad Solutions student and interested in getting help to find a job you will love, contact Angela Chicci, College & Career Readiness Advisor at angelac@iwantmydiploma.com!
If you struggled with high school and/or dropped out, Grad Solutions allows you to start again… with the help you need! Call us at 480-689-5999 or visit iwantmydiploma.com to learn more.