After over a decade of schooling, you’ve finally earned your high school diploma. As you take your first steps into adulthood, one of the options you may pursue is entering the workforce right away. For those who are hoping to start their careers, places like Millwood, Inc are full of opportunity.
One of our teams at a Millwood facility recently hosted a school-affiliated tour for high school seniors entering the workforce.
The students toured while the mill was operating, giving them a chance to see Millwood in action. Plant Manager John Mintus led the tour and discussed several different positions with the students, including material hand stacking, maintenance, forklift driving and loading. The students were engaged during the tour and had several great questions for John and the team about age requirements, benefits and retirement.
“This visit was a very rewarding experience for those of us who were involved,” Plant Administrator Amanda Coleman said. “It not only gives the community an insight on what Millwood does and what we stand for, but these students and young people are our future.”
Millwood’s Corporate Recruiting Manager, Serina Bennett, MHRM, advises high school students to focus on building a strong resume when applying for jobs. Your resume should include your name, contact information, education history and any past work or volunteer experience you have. It’s also helpful to include any awards you’ve received at work or school, such as the honor roll.
The following tips will help your resume go from good to great:
- Write a resume objective. A resume objective will help a recruiter or hiring manager get a first impression of who you are and what you want to accomplish. For example, a resume objective might read like this: “Recent high school graduate looking to expand my marketing knowledge by obtaining a marketing assistant position. Dedicated to meeting clients' needs by helping them improve their brand's image.”
- Discuss your skills. If you have skills like problem-solving, communication or customer service, be sure to note that in your resume. Additionally, skills in computer programs like Microsoft Office or Google Suite can be helpful for some positions.
- Customize your resume for each application. Be certain to match key words with skills and/or experience to match the job description. Having multiple versions of your resume will help you stand out and match each job ad for the role you are looking for.
- Do your research. When preparing for interviews, know the industry and organization you are meeting with. Understand their mission/vision statements and what they are all about.
“Remember you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you,” Serina said. “Choose the role that most closely aligns with what you are looking for.”
If you’re interested in learning more about what it’s like to work at Millwood, check out our YouTube and social media pages on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
If you’re interested in joining the Millwood family, we can’t wait to hear from you!