How to help your young adult prepare for their first job

Published on 29th August, 2023 at 05:04 pm

Entering the workforce for the first time is an exciting milestone for young adults. As a parent, you play an important role in preparing your child for this new chapter. Empower them and enhance their preparedness for their first job by focusing on job readiness skills, crafting a standout CV and fostering financial literacy.

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In this article you’ll learn:

• How your young adult can acquire job readiness skills.
• Why you need to craft a CV that stands out.
• How the Social and Emotional Learning programme offered by Online Education by Boston can help your child.

Help them acquire job readiness skills

Having the right skills when entering the workplace will ensure your young adult is equipped to cope with the demands and expectations of a new environment. Social emotional learning, which emphasises the development of interpersonal and emotional skills, is a good way to do this.

“Job readiness skills are about a young adult working out their goals for the future and starting to take ownership of these,” explains Ari Katz, CEO of Boston City Campus. “Having a strong sense of self provides young adults with stability in the face of life’s challenges and expands their confidence to make the decisions they will have to ultimately make about work.”

You can support your child’s emotional development by helping them understand and manage emotions, communicate assertively, and handle stress effectively. Encourage them to get involved in extracurricular activities or volunteer work – these experiences will help them to learn more about teamwork, communication, and leadership. This will ultimately help them build confidence and resilience, preparing them to navigate various workplace scenarios.

With the Social and Emotional Learning programme offered by Online Education by Boston, your child can learn about self-awareness, decision-making, empathy-demanding situations and much more.

Craft a standout CV

“Your CV is the first impression you make on potential employers, and it plays a crucial role in determining whether you secure an interview,” says Jeannette Campbell, head of Boston’s Graduate Support Services department. She suggests keeping it short and simple – the main aim is to make your CV as quick and easy to read as possible. Help your young adult create a CV that highlights their skills, achievements and relevant experiences.

Interview preparation is equally important. Conduct mock interviews to help your child gain confidence and practise articulating their strengths, experiences and aspirations. Offer constructive feedback to improve their responses.

Teach them the significance of researching the company they are interviewing with. Understanding the company’s values and culture will help them align their responses with the organisation’s mission.

Don’t forget, as a Reality Plus, Core or Club member, or client with Wealth Bonus Lifestyle benefits, you can save up to 20% on your monthly fibre bill with the RSAWEB benefit.

Foster financial literacy

Entering the workforce introduces young adults to financial independence and equipping them with financial literacy skills is vital for responsible money management. Teach your child about budgeting, saving and spending wisely.

Instil the habit of setting financial goals. One practical way to do this is to help them come up with a savings plan and challenge them to commit to saving a part of their monthly salary.

Encourage your young adult to explore various banking options and understand the importance of managing credit responsibly. Educate them about the potential risks of credit cards and loans.

Discuss the significance of long-term financial planning, such as retirement savings and investment opportunities. These discussions will empower them to make informed decisions about their financial future.

Remember that as a Reality Club, Core or Plus member, or client with Wealth Bonus Lifestyle or Wealth Bonus Lifestyle for Sanlam Corporate benefits, you have access to discounted Cambridge homeschooling or free supplementary CAPS support, plus a free Social and Emotional learning platform, thanks to your Online Education by Boston benefit.