Job Application

[Chad]

What are some good sources that you have made, to show an employer when applying for a job application?
I'm planning on getting a job preferably with my school which is security for all the schools in the town. High school (1), Junior High (1), Elementary Schools (3), School District Offices (1). There are probably around 3,000 computers throughout all the schools. Probably more if you count all the laptops and computers not in use. I was planning on making some useful and helpful tools for the school as well. Probably not to heavy on for showing programs and such but more on showing how computers work and what you know / understand about them, etc etc.

My second choice would be like what Matt does. Software Engineer in some company.
Any ideas on what to provide?

[gotxbrain]

A resume. A good resume. A cover letter. A good cover letter. Fill out your application there, turn it in same day. Make sure you look clean and proffesional. Ask to speak to someone.

[Chad]

A resume. A good resume. A cover letter. A good cover letter. Fill out your application there, turn it in same day. Make sure you look clean and proffesional. Ask to speak to someone.

I already know all that. I'm asking people who have had a job before or have a job now in that field so I know what to expect at the interview.

[gotxbrain]

I already know all that. I'm asking people who have had a job before or have a job now in that field so I know what to expect at the interview.

then you should've asked that, and not what you asked. Besides, all job interviews are the same everywhere. Answer the way you'd expect would get you the job. Also, I've had a job before bitch.

[Riddle]

The most important thing is the interview. It's essential.

For your resume, depending on what the interests of the company you're working on are, you should have projects that relate to what they're looking for. For example, I was hired by a computer security firm this summer, and they were impressed that all the projects I put in the resume were extracurricular projects. They look for self motivated people, that really are passionate for whatever career their pursuing.

I take it you're still a High School student? If so, then just make sure you're clear with what you've worked on before. Mention all the languages and environments you're familiar with in your resume. Have some extra projects in hand (not in the resume) so if they ask about other projects you've done before in the interview, you have something to answer with.

The company that interviewed me brought 3 members of their technical staff and 1 member of their HR staff. They wanted to really get to know me, and because of the nature of the job I was applying for, I was able to talk about how I used to exploit sites like Gaia and Neopets. Naturally, they being ethical hackers, had a blast talking about stuff like that, all the way from programming in Windows environment, to sniffing WiFi packets with homebrew DS programs.

So to sum it up:
1. Look sharp for an interview, and just be yourself.
2. Make sure that you don't say anything that could be against the company's interest.
3. If you can interact with the interviewers and even ask them questions, do it. Make your presence noticed.
4. Make sure that your resume has your most interesting projects in a technical language (nothing illegal!), and be prepared to go into detail of each one of them.
5. Have fun!

They're probably not going to expect much from you because you're a high school student... Prove them wrong. Heck, they weren't expecting me to know much about programming and I'm a sophomore at college.

[Artificial]

Confidence is key. I've never walked in to an interview, and not got the job. Perhaps it's arrogance on my part, but I approach it with the knowledge that I'm perfectly suited for that job, in which case all I have to do is convince the employer of that.

Try to imagine what questions they're going to ask, and prepare responses for those (obviously don't sound like you have your answers pre-prepared). If they ask you how confident you are in a certain area/skill, tell them very, even if it's not the case. There's no point taking the honourable path and telling them you're C# skills are below par; other interviewees won't be so truthful. You can always touch up on a skill after you get the job.

Finally, they don't want someone coming in and just going through the motions every day of the week. They want someone enthusiastic, someone looking to go above and beyond in their duties. Try to convey that enthusiasm (even if you have to fake it). A good way to do so is to prepare 4-5 questions prior to the interview, and ask them either throughout or at the end (obviously don't ask them if they've already explained it). If you can engage with the interviewee, not only will you be better able to convey your skillset, but your enthusiasm will be keenly noted.

[Riddle]

^ Pretty much sums it up.

I've also gotten every job I've interviewed in, confidence was a big part of it.

[MattSmith]

I have also got every job iv interviewed for
1 :]

So yea. I had a ton of confidence because im so full of myself. Mainly because im god.

[Chad]

then you should've asked that, and not what you asked. Besides, all job interviews are the same everywhere. Answer the way you'd expect would get you the job. Also, I've had a job before bitch.

I've had several jobs in the past. Not what I like doing though.

@Everyone else (Mainly Riddle & Arti)

Thanks for answering the questions.


@Matt, you are not god, you have a mushroom for a head.