This is How to Get a Job

Hi Scott,

Something to brighten your day. My almost 15-year-old recently applied for (and got) her first job at a local ice-cream store. She based her application on your example in The Barefoot Investor for Families. Now my 11-year-old believes she should also be allowed to get a job at the ice-cream store. She even wrote an application letter following your book’s example. Let me quote you a few lines: “I want to work at Gelatissimo because I love ice-cream, and I want to bring the joy of sweetness to others. I am able to work at any time, any day, any hour. My biggest strength in the ice-cream business is eating ice cream.” This gave us a good laugh and we love her enthusiasm, though we won’t be letting her loose on the workforce just yet.

God bless, Janice

Hi Janice

Congratulations on your teen getting her first job!

As for your 11-year-old …

She had me right up until the part where she hinted that she’d be getting high on the boss’s supply.

Other than that … I’d hire her!

No brain-freeze for that girl … she’s not going to have a problem getting a job when she gets a bit older.

Now, for those of you following along at home, let me explain what Janice is talking about.

Most employers — regardless of whether its Macca’s, KFC or an ice-cream store — essentially ask these five questions:

Why do you want to work for us?

When can you work?

Why should I employ you?

Are you going to work hard?

Who can vouch for you?

So in my book I boiled down the answers to these five questions into a double-page, plug-and-play resume template teens can complete in one evening. However, it’s more than just a resume, because in the process of putting it together teens get two benefits:

First, they get a pre-written ‘cheat sheet’ they can take along and use for their interview.

Second — and more importantly — they learn empowering stories that will change the way they see themselves.

It’s an absolute killer … just not for 11-year-olds!

Scott.