Micron Student Site: Job search

Whether it's high tech or fast food, maximize your opportunity to land the job.

Large companies receive thousands of job applications every year
Less than 20% lead to job interviews
Less than half of those interviewed are hired

Click the bold black text for more information.

Get a Job

Getting Started
Have you considered how a job will affect your everyday life?
- Know Your Limitations
  - When can you work?
    - Morning
    - Noon
    - Night
  - What are your commitments?
    - Family
    - School
    - Extracurricular activities
  - How will you get to work?
    - Car
    - Cycle
    - Skateboard
    - Scooter
  - What do you like to do?
    - Design it
    - Create it
  - What are you good at?
    - Fix it
    - Serve it
    - Sell it
  - Where do I find job openings?
    - Newspaper want ads
    - Department of Employment
    - Family, friends and neighbors
    - Job fairs
    - School counselors
    - Internet job sites
    - School career centers
First Impression
- Give them something to read.
Impressive candidates look impressive! What your fashion statement says.
- "I want this job."
  - Washed and well-groomed
  - Conservative, clean, appropriate clothes
  - Shoes in good repair
  - Trimmed beard or clean-shaven
- "I don't want this job."
  - Dirty and sloppy
  - Clothes that are too baggy, too tight or too stylish
  - Tennis shoes or sandals
  - Scruffy beard
  - Too much makeup, perfume or jewelry
  - Body odor
  - T-shirts
The Interview
- Job interviews can be intimidating experiences. Make the best impression.
- Arrive 5 or 10 minutes early.
- Shake hands with the interviewer.
- Look your interviewer in the eye.
- Speak clearly.
- Try and relax.
- Smile.
- Be upbeat. Turn every negative into a positive.
- Speak well of former employers and previous jobs.
- Keep your answers relevant. Be complete without being long-winded.
- Do your research. Use the internet to find out what the company does and a few pertinent facts about it.
- Be prepared to ask at least two relevant questions about the job.
- Be prepared to state your best qualities and give supporting examples of what you want the potential employer to know about you.
At the End of the Interview
- Leave the interviewer with a good impression of both you and your desire for the job.
  - Tell the interviewer your want the job.
  - Shake hands and thank him or her for the interview.
  - Ask for a business card if you're not given one voluntarily.
  - Write a thank you card to the interviewer expressing appreciation for his or her time and reinforcing your interest in the job.
  - If you haven't heard from the employer in a week, follow up with a phone call to let them know you're still interested and find out if the job has been filled.
  - Don't be discouraged if you don't get the job. Keep trying.
The Selection Process
- Pre-Employment Assessment
  - Some positions require a pre-employment assessment to determine the skill level and competencies of the applicant. Assessment content may measure skills such as:
    - Attention to detail
    - Math, including algebra
    - Memory
    - Reading comprehension
  - Transcript Evaluation
    - Your transcripts offer prospective employers clues to the type of employee you'll be.
      
      Dependability
      
      Work ethic
      
      Knowledge and skills
  - Reference check
    - Before hiring, many companies contact the references you provide.
  - Drug Screening
    - Drug testing is often required of candidates prior to hire. Candidates with positive drug tests are eliminated from consideration.

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