How to Find Part Time Jobs for Teens
As many teens will be looking for jobs over the summer and even during the school year, the competition will be stiff and the jobs may not be all that plentiful. Many factors will figure into the actual success of your job hunt - your age, whether or not you have a valid driver’s license, the hours you are able to work, the number of jobs available in your targeted area, and your own will and determination to find a job. The ideal teen job would pay some type of wage and would also offer the opportunity to develop job skills that would prove beneficial in future job searches.If you are a teen looking for a job, the younger you are, the more limited the options will be, as many jobs require you to be 16 years of age, some even 18 years of age. If you are over 16, even though there may be more opportunities, there will also be more competition. Remember that many other teens will be competing for the same jobs, so you need to stand out from the others and come across as a very capable and likable person that an employer would want to hire.For teens under 16 years old, the typical jobs range from babysitting to mowing lawns or shoveling sidewalks, to performing odd jobs, or working a newspaper route. Consider starting your own business such as lawn care, snow removal, pet walking or house sitting, which you could continue year round with an established customer base. Developing and maintaining a successful small business demonstrates strong entrepreneurial skills that can prove very useful later on.Another excellent way to develop entrepreneurial skills is selling merchandise on eBay. This is something you can do in your own home whenever you have the time. Do you have some items you might want to sell? People often buy things at tag sales and flea markets at low prices and resell them on eBay at higher prices. Do some research before you start selling to get an idea of what sells and at what prices. Depending on your age, you may have to sell under your parents’ eBay and PayPal accounts, but if this is ok with them, get started soon!For teens 16 years of age and over, opportunities open up considerably, such as retail work at the malls, local supermarkets and other stores, working at a local restaurant or fast food place, doing office work, working as a camp counselor, or delivering pizza and doing other jobs requiring a driver’s license.Inquire about jobs at vacation destinations, ski resorts, golf courses, camps and parks, even the local YMCA. Contact day care centers to see if they are looking for part-time help. If you are a certified lifeguard, check out the local pools and beaches for opportunities. The more credentials you can obtain, such as a lifeguard or babysitting certificate, the more attention you will get from employers looking to hire.Check with your school’s guidance counselors for assistance. They may have some ideas on part-time work in your area. They can also tell you what guidelines and labor laws may apply for teens under 18 years of age, and if you will need to file any work papers before you can start working.Enter your name on local bulletin boards and other “job wanted“ sites in your town. Read the classifieds in the newspaper. There are many teen job posting sites online but be extremely cautious before giving out any personal information to anyone. Seek the advice of a responsible adult first.Contact employment agencies that may have part-time and temporary positions available for teens. Again, caution is advised here. Be wary of any fees an agency may want to charge you. Also check out the Department of Labor in your state for opportunities open to teens under 18 years of age.“Pound the pavement”. This rather old advice still holds true. Get out there. Talk to people. Tell them you are looking for a job. Give them a copy of your resume if you have one, and also tell them you will provide references if they are interested. When “pounding the pavement”, be sure you are neatly groomed and look like someone an employer would like to hire. Don’t be annoying, but check in again with those people in a few weeks to see if anything has come up. You never know.Consider doing some volunteer work in your community. Get involved in fundraising and other activities for a charity, help organize an event. Even though you won’t get paid for your services, this is another opportunity to develop some very valuable skills. Community service always looks good on a resume, and volunteer positions sometimes can lead to paid positions.If there is a company you are interested in working for but the company isn’t hiring, check into the possibility of “shadowing” for a few days. When you “shadow”, you follow someone around during their workday to observe what they do. Shadowing is a good way to gather information about different career paths you may be considering, and is also a good way to gain exposure to different working environments and make new contacts.If you are fortunate enough to find a part-time job, always perform to your best ability. If you do well at a summer job, the employer may ask you to return the following summer. This return invite will look very good on your resume, as good job performance is something future employers always look for when hiring.Arrive on time for a job, even a few minutes early. Dress appropriately, be willing to learn new things, be willing to work extra hours, and be willing to do extra projects if needed. The more valuable you are to your employer, the better chances of keeping your job, and of getting a favorable reference if you move on to another job. Employers also network with other business people and may recommend you to someone else if they can no longer afford to keep you on their payroll.Some tips when preparing for your job search:Start early. Don’t wait until summer to start looking for a summer job. Get your name and resume out there now.Develop a professional looking resume. You are going to need a resume for your entire working life, so you may as well get started on one now. Most employers will require a resume when hiring for a position. You will continue to upgrade your resume as you further your education and acquire more skills. Ask your school guidance counselor or career center for assistance when writing your resume. You can also check online for sample resumes.Put together a list of three or four people (not family members) who could serve as a reference for you, in case you need one. With their prior permission, include their name, title if they have one, and contact information including phone and email. Type this list on a separate piece of stationery that matches your resume.Network. Tell everyone you are looking for a job. Have your parents also tell everyone you are looking for a job. That old saying “it’s who you know” often holds true.Think “outside the box”. Don’t just look for the typical jobs everyone else does. Try to discover jobs that may be available but are not advertised. Here is where networking can really work to your advantage.The more work experience you can get, whether paid or not, the more marketable you will be in the future. This is the time to start developing your work experience and your skills, to prove yourself as a dependable and valuable employee, and to develop a network of contacts that may prove helpful to you in the future.
