Creating a Resume and Preparing Students for Job Interviews: A Guide for Neurodivergent Teens
Having a job can be beneficial for neurodivergent teens in many ways. Not only can a teen earn extra income for future financial goals, but working also helps teens learn and practice organizational skills, time management, interpersonal skills, and more.
The Importance of Job Interview Preparation for Neurodivergent Teens
A job interview can cause anxiety for anyone looking for a job, and that anxiety may be much more acute in neurodivergent teens who have never been through the process before. Thoughtfully preparing for a job interview can help young adults alleviate some of that anxiety and set them up for success.
Why Interviews Can Feel Challenging
Job interviews can feel challenging for a number of reasons, especially for neurodivergent people. Most importantly, job interviews are unfamiliar and unusual situations, and unfamiliar situations cause an increased stress response for many neurodivergent people, which can make it more difficult to think clearly. Furthermore, getting a job can be life-changing in terms of skills, career trajectory, and income. Because a job interview is an essential hurdle to getting a job, it can feel extremely daunting for both neurotypical and neurodivergent job applicants.
Building Confidence Through Preparation
Job interviews can be particularly challenging for neurodivergent students, especially those with sensory or communication difficulties.
One way to ease the process is by practicing in low-stakes environments, such as mock interviews with friends or family, or in workshops tailored for interview preparation. Creating a comfortable space by adjusting lighting or reducing noise can help minimize sensory distractions. Practicing clear communication, like slowing down speech and simplifying responses, can also reduce anxiety. Repetition is key, so the more you practice, the more confident you’ll become.
For additional support, professional programs like those offered at Transitions can be a great resource. These programs provide tailored exercises and workshops to help students build job interview skills, including managing sensory sensitivities and refining communication. By practicing these strategies, neurodivergent students can feel more confident and prepared for real interviews.
Understanding the Purpose of Resumes and Their Role in the Job Application Process
For most jobs, a resume is an essential part of the job application process. Resumes are how recruiters and hiring managers sort through applicants and choose who to schedule for an interview, so it is crucial to know what to include in a resume.
What is a Resume?
A resume is a document that lists previous work and volunteer experiences, education, and skills relevant to the job for which a person is applying. Although teens who have not worked before may think they do not need a resume because they have nothing to add to a resume, the truth is that plenty of skills are developed through school and volunteer experiences that are relevant and desirable for entry level jobs.
What Does a Resume Look Like?
Job seekers use a range of different formats and templates to create their resumes, but most are formatted as a chronological list of work experience with sections for other skills and educational background. While it can be tempting to make a resume look colorful and creative to ensure it stands out, most companies use software to scan submitted resumes, and all the “fluff” and special formatting is lost in transition. As a result, it’s important to adhere to traditional templates that look professional and feature formatting that scans easily.
Key Elements to Include in a Resume
A resume should provide a clear overview of the job applicant’s experience and skills and should include the applicant’s contact information.
Contact Information
Up to date contact information is critical for any resume. Hiring managers need to be able to get in touch with the job applicant to arrange next steps. Because different companies prefer different types of outreach, job seekers should include different types of contact information, such as an email address and a phone number. It is a good idea to check and double check that contact information is accurate before submitting a resume.
Education, Coursework, and Previous Job Experiences
For teens who have not worked before, education and coursework may make up the majority of their resumes. Depending on the job, teens may want to include the following:
- Specific coursework that is relevant to the position
- Grade point average (GPA)
- Honors and awards
- Previously held jobs
Skills and Strengths
Resumes can also be a way to showcase specific skills and strengths that will translate to good job performance. Skills could be experience with specific types of software programs, fluency in a second language, and soft skills like written communication or time management.
Volunteer Work and Extracurricular Activities
Volunteer work and extracurricular activities are an excellent place to learn job skills prior to becoming employed. Neurodivergent teens should be sure to include any volunteer experience along with the skills they practiced in the positions. Extracurriculars like sports and clubs give future job applicants leadership skills, experience working as part of a team, and character traits like a solid work ethic and perseverance.
Final Preparation for Job Interviews
Once they have a strong resume to submit, students can turn their attention to preparing for job interviews. It is best to start preparing students for job interviews before the first interview is scheduled. Mock interviews with friends, family members, and experts in job search training are all useful.
Practicing Common Interview Questions
One way to prepare for a job interview is to practice answering common interview questions. Some of the most common job interview questions include:
- Tell me a bit about yourself and your background.
- How have you dealt with work conflicts in the past?
- How do you deal with stress?
- How do you stay organized?
- Why are you a good fit for this job?
- What made you apply to this position?
- What questions do you have about the company or the position?
While some answers must be tailored specifically to the role, others can be used across multiple interviews.
Determine Ways to Manage Stress and Nerves
Job interviews can be stressful for both neurotypical and neurodivergent students. Neurodivergent job seekers can benefit by developing and practicing ways to manage the stress and anxiety caused by an unfamiliar situation like a job interview. Breathing exercises, meditation, and physical activity such as yoga can all be useful tools to help prepare for a stressful situation.
Resources and Support for Neurodivergent Teens
Teens who are neurodivergent may need extra support when it comes to looking for a job. Schools, therapists, and other community organizations may be able to offer the necessary support. Teens and young adults who are searching for a job should also explore the career path program at Transitions. A resource like Transitions that employs individuals specifically trained in helping neurodiverse young adults can be exceptionally helpful in preparing teens for a job search and all that it entails.
Utilizing Career Counseling
Neurodivergent teens who are looking for their first jobs can benefit from professional career counseling. A career counselor can not only help teens write and revise their resumes and prepare for interviews but also act as a guide for the types of jobs and career paths that would best suit a teen’s specific strengths.
Tools and Templates for Resume Writing
Because it is important to submit resumes that are easy for hiring software to scan, using a resume template is a good idea. Many free resume templates and tools are available online and can be a useful jumping off point for teens creating their first resumes. Templates for Google Docs, Canva, and Microsoft Office are all popular software options for creating resumes, and templates are widely available for each type of software. A template can also help a job seeker learn the appropriate resume sections to include and where to place them to ensure the finished document is scannable.
Transitions Helps to Empower Neurodivergent Teens in the Workforce
All Transitions programs are designed to empower neurodivergent teens and young adults to live more independent lives, whether that means attending college or entering the workforce. Looking for a job can be overwhelming. From developing and resume and preparing for interviews to selecting a career path, Transitions provides programs to help teens and young adults prepare for the process. Visit or call Transitions to learn more about professional life for the neurodivergent community.
