5 Tips for Job-Seeking Teens

For many teens, summer is welcomed with open arms. No school means lots of free time, sleeping in, and more time with friends. Still, with freedom comes a need for some structure, and many teens seek out that structure by way of a summer job. Moreover, summer employment for teens can offer meaningful job experience, bolster a resume, and help amass money for post-high school plans

Getting a job may sound nice, but when it comes down to it, it can be hard for inexperienced job-seekers to know where to start. I have worked with many teens who intend to find work, but just don’t know how to do so. Thankfully, with a little work and foresight, I believe most teens who want to work can find employment. Here are some suggestions:

1) Be open-minded and start early! I’ve talked with many students who tell me they only want to work at their favorite clothing store, or favorite restaurant. If there are only 1-2 places where you’d like to work, your odds of finding a job will be slim. What if those businesses aren’t hiring? What if you don’t possess the experience needed? If you have limited work experience, it’s important that you cast a wide net, and be open to applying to a variety of positions. Additionally, don’t wait until summer starts to begin your job search. You’ll be too late! Get an early start, and take the following steps at least a few weeks before the end of school…

2) Put the word out. The easiest way for you to find a job is through someone you know. Talk to your teachers, your counselor, and your parents’ friends. Consider posting something to social media. The more people who know you’re looking for work, the better. The right personal recommendation could land you the job you’d have never gotten otherwise.

3) Create a resume. This may sound daunting if you don’t have any work experience, but it’s likely that businesses who hire teens won’t expect you to have much experience. Plus, it’s totally legitimate to fill your resume with other accomplishments, awards, and achievements. Have you volunteered? Played a sport? Made Honor Roll? Acted in a school production? Babysat? All of these things belong on a resume. This site provides more ideas for students needing to build a resume. It also provides some resume templates.

4) Look for jobs online.  Job boards like Craigslist and Indeed can be great starting places for identifying who’s hiring, and what’s out there. Indeed will allow you to search by education level and experience level. Searching “teen” in Indeed’s search function will also return a list of jobs that hire high-school students.

5) Make an in-person visit. If you’ve applied for a job, or have identified a business you intend to apply to, consider making an in-person visit and asking to meet with the hiring manager. A quick introduction will allow the hiring manager to put a face with your name, and will help you stick out from the rest of the pack.

If you’re torn about what kind of job would be good for you, or feel there are other factors holding you back from meeting your summer goals, meeting with a counselor can add clarity to your decision-making process, and can move you from a place of inaction to action.