Adults aren’t the only having a hard time finding a job these days. Many teens are in the same boat. With the economy in one of the worst slumps since the great depression, teens looking for a summer job this year should expect lots of competition. Which means it’s more important than ever to stand out.
“Here I work on the sandwich line and I make sandwiches and I also take the customer’s order and just make sure that they’re having a good day here and they leave happy.”
-Christina Daniels, Working Teen
Christina is one of the lucky ones… a teen that has found work. While the overall unemployment rate in the US is now hovering around 8%, for teens it’s more than 20%.
“Sometimes employers don’t want to hire teenagers because they lack experience.”
-Christina Daniels, Working Teen
But just because it’s hard doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Here are a few tough-time tips for job-seeking teens. First, learn where the jobs are: online sources can steer you in the right direction. And there are also job sites specifically for teens.
And when you find a prospect, stand out! Have a good resume. Practice Interviewing. And dress for success. Again, there are plenty of free online resources that can help. And most important? Never give up.
“My biggest advise to give to teenagers in finding a job is they have to have a good attitude. They have to be positive. They have to get up everyday and you have to want it! You have to want a job, you have to show people that you want it.”
-Christina Daniels, Working Teen
And one last tip… if you can’t find a paid position, consider an unpaid internship: you’ll at least gain some experience for your resume, and it could always lead to full-time work.
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