Successful job hunting refers not only to finding a job, but also finding the best job possible.  When employment is plentiful this may not present a problem; but when jobs are scarce, you may have to think creatively and investigate many sources.

Listed below are suggested resources:

1. Relatives, friends and neighbors
2. Counselors and teachers
3. High school coordinators of professional technical programs
4. Career centers
5. Help wanted ads and bulletin boards
6. Virginia Employment Commission
7. Civil service, county, state and federal agencies
8. Private employment agencies
9. Walk-in inquiries
10. Job fairs
11. Trade journals and directories (available in the library)
12. Fellow employees
13. Contacts made through volunteer activities
14. Online job bulletin boards

How to compete successfully:

1. Develop a list of businesses that usually hire people with your skills and ask for an interview.  Many job hunters use this approach and most get the jobs they want.
2. Do not wait for businesses to advertise. Be assertive.
3. Do not underestimate smaller businesses.  Most of the workforce is employed by small companies.
4. Find out what new businesses are opening in your area and when they will begin hiring.
5. Target jobs in rapidly expanding fields.

Creating Your Resume

A resume will be needed for your counselor and colleges. These are some of some of the things you may be doing in high school. You may or may not have all or any of these activities. Use the resume feature on Family Connection to keep track of your activities. When it is time to write up a formal resume, this format will help to highlight who you are and what you do.