Aspects of Teen Jobs
Before applying for a job, you should decide if the job will meet your specific needs. This means setting some objectives or goals for expectations out of a job. Some of these might include:
- Pay—If your goal is solely to make money, irrespective of work type or number of hours, then your job search should be made in a broad area. These jobs come rarely for teens, and with more responsibility.
- Hours—There may be part-time or full-time work available, depending on if the teen is still in school and the time of year. If your job is part-time there should be some flexibility in which hours you work and how many.
- Type of work—There are all types of jobs available for the teen job seeker. The choice depends on the need and expectations. The variety of teen job may include going for something traditional, like retail, small business, fast food, larger restaurants (dishwasher, waiting staff), etc. There may be additional positions based on location such as lifeguards, travel guides, and domestic jobs. Job types can vary by environment and location.
- Learning opportunity—Interest is another thing, if the teen wants to make a choice in his/her field of expertise or passion. Teen jobs can help build work skills and ethics that are fundamental to future career opportunities. If learn expertise which can be used in the future, a teen job can be a most rewarding learning experience. The learning will not only help in the moment, but is ideal for future industrial job application. Also, there are many key things that are basic to all businesses, so the learning will be productive.
There are various types of teen jobs available. Which job you choose will depend on the number of hours you wish to put in per week for your job. Most teens prefer to do part-time jobs because they have their study hours or other activities necessary to tend to in their teen years. However, they can always work a summer job specifically designed for a teen. Teen summer jobs are a great opportunity to gain experience, make some extra cash, and get your foot in the door for future employment. It may not be the ideal fun-filled summer, but there are definitely some advantages to consider.
A summer internship is another option to consider. Any internship is a great way to gain the skills that will help to develop the professional talents you will need for future careers. Many times internships are pay little or nothing, but the experience is invaluable. Besides developing the required talents for a future career, an internship can also give an idea of what life will be like after finishing school. Learned skills will be used in the real world, both professionally and personally. These skills can be as simple as learning how to deal with people and providing outstanding customer service, to learning how to manage time effectively, to learning how to work with or under a boss, etc. In addition to that, the self-confidence that can be gained from the experience is a benefit that is hard to put a price on.
Common Guidelines for Grabbing a Teen Job
Once you decide on the appropriate job type for you, getting a head start on the competition is great, so try to get organized early. The summer market for teen job seekers is highly competitive, so gaining an edge always helps. Here are some points to remember:
- As previously mentioned, figure out what skills or talents you have to contribute to a job. This process will help narrow down the options according to types of jobs.
- Be prepared and get started early by taking the time to think about objectives. Goal setting is a good way to record ideas. Keep it simple and realistic.
- Make a resume. The main tool for marketing yourself is your resume. It should be kept simple, concise, and to the point, aiming for the desired job. Include relevant experience. This does not have to be paid work; it can be volunteering work, community projects, sports achievements—anything that shows skills such as teamwork, commitment, and versatility. Giving references is important. A character reference from a teacher, coach, tutor, or a mentor in the community can also be given. Including a bit of background information is also advised.
- Network. Make use of all the contacts, parents, friends, teachers, and anyone else who might be able to give a lead or help you to get a foot in the door. Use the vast resources available including Web sites, notice boards, newspapers, recruitment offices, and school career advisors.
- Interview. Preparing on interview tips is crucial. The three Ps are fundamental to mastering the interview process: Presentation, Punctuality, and Preparation are the essential ingredients needed to perfect the interview style.
- Follow up. Learn from unsuccessful job applications, ask questions, and always try to gain from the experiences by not repeating the mistakes again.
