Jobs, internships, and career resources for teenagers, students and grads. Includes categories on teen jobs, teen job sites, finding an internship. Developmental programs as well as career preparation services play a key role. Teens need access to safe and welcoming environments in which they get proper guidance and training.
Children, teens, and parents can come to this section to get career advice. Find out how to choose an occupation, find a job, and get the skills necessary to enter the work force. Learn how to develop good work habits.
Are you looking for part-time work? Here are some time-saving tips that will help you find a part-time job fast:
Be Prepared. Have a telephone answering machine or voice mail system so potential employers can get in touch with you. Also be prepared to interview on-the-spot and even to get a job offer immediately.
Job Search Engines. Search the part-time job sites. These sites focus on part-time and hourly jobs or they have a sophisticated search engine that will enable you to search quickly for part-time jobs in your location. In many cases, you will be able to apply online.
Apply Direct Online. Many major employers of part-time workers, like JC Penny, FedEx and Walmart, accept online applications. Visit the web site of companies you are interested to see if you can apply online.
What You Need to Apply Online. The online applications I reviewed asked for your contact information, educational background and employment history. You will need to know when you worked and what you were paid at your previous jobs. You may also be asked what days and hours you are available to work.
Be Alert. If you are interested in retail employment, keep you eye out for "help wanted" signs in store windows when you're at the mall or in town. Ask the Manager if the store is hiring if you don't see a sign.
Check the Ads. Review the Help Wanted ads in your local newspaper and pennysaver regularly. Many small employers advertise in the paper, rather than listing online.
Apply In Person. Applying in person is often the best mechanism for finding a part-time job. When you apply, your attire should be neat and tidy, hair and fingernails well groomed and your shoes moderate.
What to Bring. Bring the information you'll need to fill out an application, including n ames and addresses of previous employers, dates of employment, references, and a resume if you have one. If you're a teen, bring your working papers. Be prepared for a brief on-the-spot interview. Know when you are available to start the job and what hours you can work each week.
Have References Ready. Have a list of three references including name and phone number and email address ready to give to interviewers. If you don't have employment references use other people, like people you have babysat for or neighbors, who can vouch for you.
Keep Track. Make a list of the companies you have applied to. After an interview, jot down the name of the person you spoke to. It's easy to forgot or get mixed up when you are applying for several jobs. This way you will be prepared if you get a follow-up phone call.
Get Help. Utilize free or inexpensive services that provide and job search assistance such as high school guidance offices, college student employment offices and career services offices, state Department of Labor offices and your local public library.
Use Your Network. Be aware of the fact that many, if not most, job openings aren't advertised. Tell everyone you know that you are looking for work. Ask if they can help. Just recently, I have heard about someone getting hired for a position that her dentist told her about. Someone else got an internship because he mentioned he was looking at a birthday party. While an acquaintance was offered a job over the phone by an employer his friend had given his resume to. Networking really does work!
Are you looking for a summer job or internship? Here are some tips to help you get going on your search. First of all, start your search for a summer job or internship early and beat that last minute rush to find a job.
Decide What You Want to Do
Next, consider what you would like to do. Are you interested in working with kids? Take a look at camp counselor positions. How about working on the beach, at a park, in the mountains, or at another outdoor job? Intern at a museum, at a zoo, or at some other organization related to your career aspirations. An internship is great way to test the waters in a variety of career fields and to gain "real-life" experience. Consider a temp agency if you would like exposure to several different businesses in a specific location.
Use Your School
If you're a student, check with your high school Guidance Office or college Career Services Office and ask how they can assist with your job search. Consider internship opportunities as well as summer job listings. An internship is an ideal opportunity to gain experience in a particular career field. Internships also supplement academic classes and, in some cases, earn college credit.
Network
Speak with teachers, family, former employers, coaches, friends, parents of friends - anyone and everyone you can think of - and ask for contacts in your geographic and/or career fields of interest. Meet with (or call) these individuals for information about careers and advice about conducting your summer job/internship search. Read our guide to Informational Interviews for how to get started.
Contact Employers
Telephone or visit employers in your geographic and/or career areas of interest and inquire about summer jobs/internships. Be prepared to give a 15 second promo regarding your skills, strengths, and motivation for working with them. Most summer jobs are acquired by using this technique. If you write to employers, follow up with a phone call whenever possible to arrange in-person or telephone interviews.
Search for Jobs
Check the local newspaper help wanted ads and local jobs web sites for your community. Search the jobs databases which focus on summer jobs, summer camp jobs, and internships. Also search the entry-level and top jobs databases using "summer" as a search term.
Start Your Own Business
Start your own business and demonstrate your entrepreneurial spirit to future employers. Consider your own skills and interests as well as the needs of the local economy where you will be spending your summer. Possible ventures include hand lettering house numbers, selling ice cream, lawn mowing, house painting, designing and marketing T-shirts, caring for pets while people are on vacation, car detailing, etc.
Don't feel too badly if you don't find the job of the dreams. In most cases, you will find a job and, at the very least, you'll have a paycheck and work experience which can only help in the future. I spent several summers working in a grocery store and I learned much more than how to ring a cash register. I gained communication skills, a little business management experience, and learned how to work with money.