Teens looking for the perfect summer job

As we celebrate or curse our kids getting out of school for the summer break, I thought I would offer some tips on how to find the best summer job. I am sure parents will be posting my article on the fridge for their teens to read. Anything to help get them out of the house for the summer!

There are plenty of part-time summer jobs available for all kinds of teens, even in this economy. The key to getting off the couch and finding the right job is in how they apply.

So kids, the first thing to do is to create a resume, a simple one. You may think you have nothing to write on a resume, but teenagers do offer more than you think. Name, mailing address, email address, phone number, and education level completed, is all important information. Awards, accomplishments, and interests need to be written out, and any volunteering or cool stuff you have done should be included. Including the kind of work you are looking for will add an interesting element to your resume, such as part-time or full-time, outdoors or indoors, cashier or stock person.

When dropping off your resume, make sure to dress appropriately, no flip flops or baggy ripped jeans. Most teens walk in and ask for an application, so ask for the manager instead and hand them your resume directly. That will actually set you apart from the unprepared teens who are also on the job hunt. Smile, show some interest and personality, and be prepared for an on the spot interview. If the establishment is not hiring, ask them to keep your resume on file. Be realistic and let the employer know why you want to work there, such as the right neighborhood, the best hours, or interest in what the company does. Don’t give demands such as I won’t work for less than X dollars or I refuse to work Sundays, unless you have a great reason, such as religious commitments. Certainly, don’t tell the employer that you want to work there because all your friends work there, because that spells trouble! Show your personality in your approach, on the resume and in the interview.

Pick jobs that you think you will really like, that are close to home or easy to get to, and that have something in common with your interests and what you are good at. Be prepared for some rejections, that is just a part of life. Some places may not need to hire for the summer, so don’t take it personally. Instead, walk over to the next place you want to work at and try again. Eventually, you will find the right summertime job for you that will provide you with the cash you need to have a fun-filled summer! Parents, you can thank me later!