Work
Getting your first job
What employers ask for, and what they cannot ask about.
What it is
How to apply, what to bring, and what to expect from an interview.
Why it matters
Nobody teaches this, and the parts that trip people up are practical rather than about ability.
Sort the paperwork before you apply
Nearly every employer asks for photo ID and your Social Security number on day one. Having both ready means a yes can start straight away.
Get a state IDA resume is one page and mostly facts
Your name, how to reach you, where you have worked or volunteered with rough dates, and your education. If you have not worked before, put school, volunteering, and anything you have been responsible for.
You do not have to explain foster care
An employer can ask whether you can do the job. They do not need your history, and gaps can be described simply as a period you were not working.
Go through an organisation, not just job sites
Workforce programmes place people, sometimes with paid training. They also vouch for you, which matters more than another online application.
Jobs and career resourcesWork out the journey before day one
A shift you cannot reliably reach is a job you will lose. Check the bus route for the actual start and finish times, including weekends.
Transport resourcesThis is information, not legal or financial advice, and rules and fees change. Bridge explains how to get these things and never holds, uploads or stores a document for you. If you get stuck, dial 211 and a person will help you work out the next step.