Find your Career

Looking for a job takes more than just filling out applications. To be successful, you need a good plan, the right tools, and a clear idea of what you want.

There are three important parts to a successful job search:

1. Knowing your goals and what you're good at
2. Understanding the job market
3. Having a step-by-step plan to follow

If you're in school, visiting your Career Center early can help you get started.

1. Start with a Self-Assessment

Before you begin applying for jobs, take time to think about what’s important to you and what you have to offer. Ask yourself:

• What are my strengths?
• What do I enjoy doing?
• What kind of work environment do I want?
• What are my goals?

This process helps you find jobs that fit you—and helps you talk about yourself with confidence when you apply or interview. Download this worksheet to complete your self-assessment.

2. Know Your Values

Your values are the things that matter most to you at work. For example, do you want job security, teamwork, independence, creativity, or chances to grow? Knowing your top values can help you find a job where you’ll feel happy and motivated.

Ready to take a values assessment? Try one of these free tools:

work importance profiler: https://www.cacareerzone.org/wip

work values toolkit: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/work-values-matcher.aspx

3. Think About Your Interests

Your interests are what you enjoy doing—things that grab your attention or make you excited to learn more. Think about what you do in your free time, your favorite school subjects, or the types of tasks you enjoy. This can give you clues about the kind of jobs you might like.

Ready to take an interest survey? Try one of these free tools:

interest profiler: http://www.cacareerzone.org/ip/

4. Recognize Your Skills

Skills are the things you do well, like solving problems, staying organized, using technology, or communicating with others. It’s important to know what your skills are and be able to explain them in a resume or interview. Many skills—like being on time, working well with others, and using a computer—can be used in all kinds of jobs. These are called soft skills or transferable skills.

When you can talk clearly about your values, interests, and skills, you’ll be much more confident—and successful—in your job search.

Ready to take a skills assessment? Try one of these free tools:

skills assessment: http://www.cacareerzone.org/skills/

Once you know your skills, interests, and values, the next step is to find careers that match them. This means learning more about different jobs and industries to see what might be a good fit for you. A great way to do this is by reading about careers online, talking to people who work in fields you’re interested in, or asking your Career Center for resources.

One of the best ways to explore careers is by getting real experience. You can do this through internships, part-time jobs, summer jobs, or even volunteering. These experiences help you learn what you like (and don’t like) and give you something valuable to add to your resume.

After exploring a few options, try to narrow down your top career choices. You might not find a job that matches everything you’re looking for, but aim for a path that checks most of your boxes. It's totally okay if you're still figuring it out—just start with what feels like the best fit right now.

Once you’ve chosen a field, start learning about employers that interest you. Find out what they do, what kind of people they hire, and what they look for in applicants. Talking to people in the field or asking a career advisor for advice can help you know if you're on the right track.

Now that you have a direction, it’s time to prepare your materials. This includes writing a strong resume and a cover letter that highlights your skills, experience, and interests. Some employers may request letters or recommendations, and other documentation (depending on the position), too. Your materials should show why you’d be a great fit for the job you want.

You’ll also want to practice other job search skills—like how to apply for jobs, how to prepare for interviews, and how to introduce yourself professionally. These are skills you can learn over time, and your school or career center can help you build them.

Preparing for an Interview

Interviews can feel nerve-wracking, but preparing ahead of time can help you feel confident and ready. Practice answering common interview questions out loud or with a friend, and think of examples from school, past jobs, or volunteer work that show your strengths.

Tip: Give a short summary of your background, focusing on school, work or volunteer experience, and your career interests. Keep it professional and focused on your goals—not your life story.

• Start with your current situation (e.g., “I’m a senior at Lincoln High School…”).
• Mention activities or jobs that relate to the position.
• End with what you're looking for (e.g., “I’m excited to gain more experience in customer service.”).

Tip: Show that you’ve learned something about the company or organization and that the job fits your interests or goals.

• Mention something specific about the company that you like (their mission, products, work environment, etc.).
• Explain how the job connects to your interests or future goals.

Example: “I want to work here because I admire how your team helps the community, and I’d love to be part of that while learning more about working in a team setting.”

Tip: Pick 1–2 strengths that fit the job and support them with a quick example.

• Choose strengths like being dependable, friendly, organized, or a fast learner.
• Use a short story or example to show strength in action.

Example: “I’m very organized. In school, I manage deadlines for multiple classes and help plan events for our student club.”

Tip: Pick a real challenge, but focus more on how you solved it or what you learned.

• Briefly describe the situation.
• Explain what you did to handle it.
• Share what you learned from the experience.

Example: “In a group project, a teammate wasn’t doing their part. I talked to them privately and offered to help. We worked together, and the project got back on track. I learned the value of communication”

Tip: Talk about your strengths, your interest in the role, and how you’ll be a good fit for the team.

• Show that you’re ready to learn and work hard
• Mention any past experience or skills that match the job.
• Let them know you’re excited about the opportunity.

Example: “I’m responsible, a quick learner, and I enjoy working with people. I’d bring a positive attitude and strong work ethic to the team.”

Tip: You don’t need to have your whole future figured out—just show that you’re motivated and thinking ahead.

• Talk about goals like gaining experience, continuing school, or exploring career interests.
• Show that you’re interested in growing.

Example: “In five years, I hope to be in college or working in a career I enjoy. I want to keep learning and building skills that will help me succeed.”

Download this interview practice worksheet and check out the interview tips below for success!

Tips for interview success:

• Dress neatly and appropriately for the job.
• Show up early.
• Make eye contact and smile
• Be polite and professional.
• Ask questions about the job or company at the end.
• Follow up with a thank-you email or note after the interview.

Cover Letters, Resumes, and Letters of Recommendation

A resume is a one-page summary of your education, experience, and skills. It should be easy to read and focused on the job you’re applying for. Include things like school activities, part-time jobs, volunteering, certifications, or special skills (like knowing another language or using specific software).

• Sample Resumes
• Resume Developer/Template

A cover letter is a short letter that goes with your resume. It tells the employer why you’re interested in the job and how your background makes you a good fit. It should be personalized for each job you apply to—not a copy-and-paste letter.

• Sample Resumes
• Resume Developer/Template

Some employers may ask for letters from teachers, coaches, or supervisors who can speak about your work ethic, character, and skills. Choose people who know you well and can give specific examples of your strengths. Always ask their permission before listing them, and give them plenty of time to write a letter.

• Sample Letters of Recommendations

Set a goal for when you want to find a job and make a weekly schedule to help you stay on track. Job searching takes time and effort, so planning ahead can keep you from getting overwhelmed.

Use more than one strategy to find opportunities:

• Look at job postings on websites, job boards, and career center listings. Hint: There’s a Job Board on GoSJ.org with local employers here!
• Network with people you know—friends, family, teachers, or coaches may know someone hiring.
• Reach out directly to employers you’re interested in. Even if they’re not hiring, showing your interest can lead to future opportunities.

Many jobs aren’t posted online—this is called the “hidden job market.” Talking to people in the field, setting up informational interviews, and making connections can help you find these hidden opportunities.

As you apply for jobs, keep track of where and when you’ve applied, who you’ve talked to, and what the next steps are. Following up is important—it shows you’re interested and professional.

And remember: job searching takes time and persistence. You might not get the first job you apply for—and that’s okay. Keep learning, keep trying, and don’t give up. Every interview and experience helps you get better. If something isn’t working, try a new approach or ask for advice. Showing that you’re motivated and willing to grow is one of the best things you can do.

Once you get a job offer you’re excited about—congratulations! Be sure to thank everyone who helped you along the way. Keep learning, building your skills, and updating your career goals as you grow. This is just the beginning of your career journey.

Here’s an example of a message to an employer to thank them for your interview:

Subject: Thank You for the Interview
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me today about the [Job Title] position at [Company/Organization Name]. I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about your team and the role.
I’m even more excited about the chance to join [Company/Organization Name] and contribute to your team. Our conversation made me feel confident that this would be a great place to learn, grow, and make a positive impact.
Please let me know if you need any additional information. Thank you again for the opportunity—I hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number]