Browse practical JobStarterly guides for your first application, interview, and follow-up. Start with the step you are working on today; you do not need to read everything at once.
Start with your resume
Use the first-job resume format to organize your details. If you have no paid job history, see what counts as experience. For a role-specific example, open the receptionist resume guide.
Write an application that fits the role
Read how to write a cover letter with no experience, then use the grocery store cover letter examples if you are applying to a store. Change the sample to reflect your own skills and availability.
Prepare for the interview
Practice a short answer to “Tell me about yourself”. If applications are going unanswered, work through the callback checklist before sending more.
Need an order for the whole process? Follow the Start Here toolkit. The home page also shows newly published posts.