Landing your first job can be difficult. You’re looking to gain new skills, but find yourself competing with people who may have years of experience. Getting your foot in the door might be tricky, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible – with some careful planning and the use of the tips listed below, you will be well on your way to your first job!

1. Get Your Documentation.

In order to work, you will need documentation that proves your identity, as well as your eligibility to work in the U.S. (You can find more specific information on the required documentation here). Some of these documents can take several weeks to receive, so if you don’t already have them, be sure to request them well before you actually hope to work.  

2. Showcase Your Skills.

Even if you don’t have prior work experience to list, a resume is still an important part of your job search. It helps an employer understand who you are as an applicant, and why you would be a good fit for the job. Volunteer experience, academic awards and honors, or involvement in teams and clubs are all things that can help to demonstrate your marketable skills, and help make it easier for an employer to picture you succeeding at their company. If you’re not sure where to begin, use a resume-building tool like this to help you get started. 

3. Work for the experience.

All work is noble, and everyone starts somewhere, so don’t miss out on valuable experience holding out for the “perfect” job. While your first job will most likely not be your dream job, know that it is a valuable stepping stone to other amazing opportunities. Not only will it enable you to learn new skills and build your resume, but it will also help you develop a clearer idea of your professional strengths and interests so that you can pursue your goals with confidence. 

4. Know Your Options.

Check out several different job boards to find out what type of work is available in your area, and talk to multiple people to find out what their first job was. Research a variety of entry-level jobs so that you can get an idea of which ones would be of the greatest interest to you. It can be tempting to jump at the first opportunity you hear about, but if you’re looking for experience that could lead to something more, it’s important to try to find something that you could see yourself doing for a while. 

5. Spread the Word.

In addition to conducting your own job search, let your friends, parents, teachers, and other trusted individuals know that you are looking for work. Don’t underestimate the power of networking and referrals – many people get jobs this way. This way, they can let you know if they happen to hear of any potential leads. There’s a good chance that the people you know may tell you about opportunities that you wouldn’t have heard of otherwise, because many available jobs are never advertised. 

6. Ace the Interview. 

So you’ve applied for a job and were selected for an interview – congrats! To make a great impression in person: dress appropriately, and be polite, engaged, and prepared to discuss what makes you a good fit for the job. Don’t bring a friend or family member with you to the interview; while it might make an unfamiliar situation more comfortable for you, it is unprofessional and could send the message that you don’t take the opportunity seriously. 

7. Partner with an Expert. 

Consider partnering with a staffing expert like Manpower. They work to fill a variety of jobs ranging from entry-level to professional, and are highly knowledgeable about the types of opportunities in your area. After learning about your skills, experience, and goals, they can talk to you about any suitable work that is available. 

Watch out Microsoft Office Suite users, Google Drive is about to take over how you create, manage, and store your critical office documents. Sound like a sky-is-falling attitude? I thought so too, until participating in mock interviews with dozens of high school juniors and seniors. 

Like any good recruiter, I naturally questioned them on their proficiency and comfort level with Microsoft Office, and was met with blank stares like I was speaking some foreign language. I then aptly went on to describe Word, Excel, and Powerpoint – still nothing, and I felt as though I might as well be asking them what a typewriter is. 

So then I asked what they use to write their essays and create their presentations – confidently they each said, “oh, that’s all done in Google Drive.” That’s when it hit me, are businesses fully prepared for these students who are about to fully join the workforce in a matter of a few short years?

So here are some things to consider as you prepare.

Google Drive Pros

It’s Free, to a Point.

Anyone with a Google account can create and then store up to 15GB of documents into their account. If you need more space you can purchase different monthly plans depending on your storage needs. 

The Same Tools, With Different Names.

Some functionality is slightly different but most is the same. Instead of Word, you have Docs. Instead of Excel, you have Sheets. Instead of Powerpoint, you have Slides. 

Access on the Go. 

As long as you have an internet connection you can access your documents online for full editing capability. If you are headed somewhere without an internet connection, just download the document to your desktop. If you are a mobile user, there is also an ‘app for that’. 

Document Permission Levels.

You retain control of what access levels people have to your documents, from no access to full editing access – you decide. 

Team Collaboration.

This is hands down the best feature of Google Drive, as you can have teams working together on documents in real-time. This is a great feature for people that work in different locations or remotely. 

Auto-Save.

We’ve all been there – the computer unexpectedly has to shut down and you haven’t saved your work. No fear, your work is auto-saved. You can easily pick right up where you left off, no more desire to call it a day. 

Revision History. 

This feature allows you to revisit any version or edits to your document, and revert back to them if necessary. 

Microsoft Office Conversion. 

If you are like me and deeply entrenched in the Office Suite but want the collaboration/ease of access ability that Drive offers, no fear. You can upload any Office product into drive and convert into a google product.

Google Drive Cons

Glitches. 

We have been using Google Drive in some capacity for a couple years, and sometimes, without explanation we run into a glitch (file not visible) – it always seems to be easily resolved by refreshing the page, but panic will inevitably set in.

Compatibility.

While you can upload MS Office documents into Drive, you may experience some issues with functionality and formatting.

Security Concerns.

While Google assures users that their information is stored in a secure data center, there is still one major security concern – humans. When office documents are stored on a business-owned PC, you are ensuring that they are password protected, have strong anti-virus software, and other protective measures. But when they are on a cloud, you are relying on your team to access the Drive on secured networking, to use strong passwords, and to always make sure they log out of their account on any public device. 

Learning Curve. 

New software can be a challenge for some. While many things are the same, sometimes it is the smallest changes that can cause the greatest frustration. 

Plan Ahead to Not Fall Behind

What is important is for businesses to recognize that many of tomorrow’s workers are coming out of school far more entrenched in Drive than the Microsoft Suite we all are accustomed to, so it will be worth your time to start preparing now. We are not recommending abandoning the tried and true Office Suite, but thinking of ways to start getting yourself and your staff acclimated on Google Drive. Just starting to dip your toes in the water now will help you better understand how your next generation of workers is trained to process documents. 

30+ NEW Production Jobs in Auburn!

Manpower Maine is excited to announce that we have partnered with a new client in Auburn, and are now working to fill 30+ production openings! These are full time, long term opportunities with a highly reputable manufacturer that is known for its superior product quality.

These jobs are available exclusively through Manpower – meaning you won’t find these great opportunities anywhere else!

We want to meet with YOU at one of our hiring events!

When: Tuesday, August 1st from 10am-1pm

Where: Lewiston Career Center, 5 Mollison Way

Not able to join us during normal business hours?

No problem, we’ve got you covered! To ensure that everyone has an opportunity to meet with our team and talk about these new positions, we will also be hosting an after-hours hiring event.

When: Wednesday, August 2nd from 5pm-7pm

Where: Manpower, 95 Main St. in Auburn

Walk-ins are not only welcome, but encouraged! You can also schedule an appointment by calling 207-784-9353, or texting 207-560-0906. 

The world of work is changing; that means our hiring strategies must change as well. Unemployment has not been this low since May of 2007. Job seekers have the advantage, which means that employers must start getting creative about their hiring strategies. You have jobs to fill, and every day a position remains open is another day the work is not getting done, so time is of the essence. 

Here are some simple tips to help you win the war for talent.