Jumpstart Your Summer: Tips for Landing a Great Job
For many neurodivergent young adults, job searching can feel overwhelming. Our Advance LA Life Skills Coaches understand these feelings and help break down the job search process into manageable steps. Here are our top tips to land a great gig:
1) CREATE A RESUME
Even without formal job experience, you can impress prospective employers with a professional-looking resume. Include past internships (paid and unpaid), extracurricular activities, volunteer stints, and classwork. College students can visit their campus career office or ask a supportive adult for assistance.
2) HAVE A LIST OF REFERENCES READY TO GO
Prepare a list of at least three references. Teachers, professors, academic advisors, volunteer leaders, and coaches can provide references. Babysitting and volunteering are fine if you are looking for your first formal job.
3) PRACTICE AND PREPARE FOR YOUR JOB INTERVIEW
Interviewers often make decisions within the first thirty seconds. Practice mock interviews with a Life Skills Coach, family members, friends, and teachers to get feedback. Show up on time, dressed professionally (clean and well-groomed). For Zoom interviews, ensure your virtual background is appropriate, and avoid having pets or other people appear on camera.
4) SHOW THAT YOU ARE FLEXIBLE BY BEING AVAILABLE TO WORK
Employers rank “being available for all shifts” as highly important. Be willing to work evenings and weekends to increase your chances of getting hired.
5) MAKE SURE YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA CAN PASS INSPECTION
Employers often check candidates’ social media. Review your Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook posts and remove anything inappropriate. A good rule is, “If you wouldn’t want your parents or professors to see it, don’t post it!”
6) METHODS OF FINDING A SUMMER JOB
There are three main ways to find a summer job: networking, using online job sites, and “pounding the pavement.”
• Networking: Talk to teachers, family members, coaches, and friends. You might be surprised at how willing people are to help!
• Online Job Sites: Websites like Indeed.com help narrow your job search. Most require uploading a resume and cover letter.
• Pounding the Pavement: This means walking into businesses and asking managers if they are hiring. It can be nerve-wracking, but it shows confidence and determination. Have your resume and references ready!
7) EXPLORE VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS
The Help Group offers vocational programs like Momentum, which support neurodivergent young adults in building job skills and gaining work experience. These programs can be an excellent way to prepare for and secure a summer job.
8) LAST BUT NOT LEAST, STAY POSITIVE!
A positive attitude is crucial in a summer job search. Show enthusiasm during the interview and in follow-up thank you notes.
Wishing all summer job seekers the best of luck – you got this!
For more information about our coaching services, parent support groups and social recreational programs please contact Heather Humphrey at hhumphrey@thehelpgroup.org
Heather Humphrey, LMFT
Experienced Therapist with a demonstrated history of working in the non-profit organization management industry. Skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Crisis Intervention, Interventions, Post Traumatic Stress, and Vocational Education. Strong healthcare services professional with a Master’s Degree focused in Clinical Psychology- Emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology.