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 When you're a teenager, looking for a part time job can seem like a pretty big undertaking. After all, even adults with a lot of working experience have a hard time finding a job. Imagine how hard it can be for a teen that doesn't have any relevant experience to put on their resume.
Most parents think they're doing the right thing by letting their teenage daughter or son struggle through the job hunting process. Unfortunately, the reality of the matter is that just when that teen needs their parents the most, they are of no help at all. So what is the secret that all teens should know about finding part time work?
Preparing to Find a Job
Before you even head down that long road to getting your first job, you have to do your homework first. After all, you have to put all those years you've spent doing homework in school to good use. Fortunately, this kind of homework is pretty simple. All you need to do is put a resume together.
Creating a Simple Resume
One mistake that many teens make is that they don't think it's necessary to put together a resume. Well, let's think this one through with an example:
- Two 15 year old kids walk into a store looking for a part time job. The first kid introduces himself to the store owner, smiles a lot, shakes her hand, and tells the owner his name. The owner scribbles the kid's name on a piece of scrap paper along with his telephone number.
- The second kid introduces herself to the store owner, smiles a lot, shakes her hand, and gives the owner a copy of her resume. Since the resume has the girl's name and contact information right on it, there is no worry that the owner is going to lose a little scrap of paper with some scribbling on it.
If you were that store owner, who would you hire for that part time job? Putting a resume together will impress any prospective employer, and will separate you from the crowd. When you're trying to find a job, you want to stand out. So putting a resume together is a must. We even have a resume article dedicated to Resumes for High School Students.
Dress for Success
The second tip we have for teens is that you need to dress for success. That doesn't mean you have to wear a business suit. It means you have to look presentable. If you don't know what that means, then here's a clue. You need to dress like you were going to work.
If you're looking for a job at a retail clothing store, then just think about the clothes the workers wear when they are working at the store. You want to dress at least as neatly as people already working at the store.
Finding Places to Apply for Work
There are many places on the Internet where you can find part time work in your area. But you can often find jobs using the local newspaper just as quickly as using a job search engine. Your township library or school might also sponsor a job listings board.
Finally, you can take a walk through your downtown or a nearby shopping mall looking for Help Wanted signs. Just keep in mind that not every store will put a Help Wanted sign in the window. If you have a list of places you'd like to work in mind, then it can't hurt to stop in and ask the manager if they are looking for part timers. The worst thing they can say is "no thanks."
Websites Specializing in Part Time Jobs
There are some online resources that specialize in part time jobs for teens, college students, hourly workers, and adults. In fact, it is possible to find summer and seasonal part time jobs that may be flexible enough to provide you with some additional money, and still fit your lifestyle.
The following online websites specialize in listing part time jobs for teens:
- SnagAJob.com - lists only hourly and part-time jobs. If you're not looking for a full-time job, then SnagAJob is an excellent site to start your job search.
- Groovejob.com - offers part time and hourly jobs for teens and college students across the United States. GrooveJob also includes listings of volunteer jobs and internships.
- CoolWorks - if you're interested in a seasonal part time job, CoolWorks is the place to start your job search. CoolWorks specializes in finding seasonal or part time jobs in some of the coolest places on earth.
Preparing for Rejection
At the start of this publication, we said that finding a job was not easy for a teenager. That means you need to prepare for rejection, and possibly a lot of it. Again, let's think of it this way. If the likelihood of finding a part time job is 1 in 10, that means you could be faced with nine rejections before you get a job.
But that's okay, because if you don't ask, then you don't stand a chance of getting a job. Think of it this way: The more you ask, the greater the likelihood of someone offering you a job. So you need to get out there and get your fair share of "no thanks" so you can find that "yes."
Be Confident During Job Interviews
It's not only important to dress appropriately, but you also need to act the right way. That means you need to be confident in the way you walk, and the way you talk. Remember, the prospective employer may be trying to figure out how you're going to interact with customers.
That means you need to speak clearly, and look the person in the eye when you're talking to them. It's okay to be shy, but when you're asking for a job you need to pull it together and demonstrate to the owner that you'd be an asset to their company. Acting confident will also send the message that you're eager to find a job, and you're not just asking around because your parents are forcing you to get one.
Following Up on Potential Jobs
This is probably the most important part of getting a job. Employers are looking for candidates who have the initiative to follow up with customers, because it shows a willingness to get involved and be responsible - even if they're only 15 years old.
Always make a follow up call or get back in touch with any potential employer about a week after paying them a visit. When you do call, make sure you talk to the person that's doing the hiring. You don't want to risk leaving such an important message with someone else or on an answering machine.
About the Author - Part Time Jobs for Teens
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