The end of the school year is quickly approaching, which means it's time you figure out how to bring in the bucks. First, you need to brush up on your interview skills, advises Reader's Digest's online "Student Job Survival Guide". Pretend you're an employer and write down the types of questions you would ask an interviewee. Now get your mom, dad or guardian to ask you the questions; practice answering them in a professional manner and get used to making eye contact with the interviewer.
Go through Different Resources
When you're job hunting, don't just rely on the internet. Ask your guidance counsellor at school for student job resources. Also speak to your local employment agency, which may have programs in place for teenagers. Reader's Digest's "Student Job Survival Guide" explains that, "Experts agree that most jobs aren't advertised." With that being said, feel free to apply for a job even if there isn't a posting at the company. In fact, when a position does pop up, it's likely that the company may think about your resume first.
Volunteer Work Matters
If you've never had a job before and your resume looks skimpy, write down volunteer work you've done in the past. So under "Work Experience" list the company you volunteered for and the types of tasks you performed as a volunteer.
Your Own Summer Business
If you're feeling creative, you can work for yourself and bring in money. Here are a few suggestions for your own summer business:
- House sitting: let your neighbours know that you are available to house sit during the summer. This includes collecting the mail, walking the dog, feeding the cat, watering the plants when your neighbours are out of town.
- Party helper: help parents in your area organize birthday parties or clean up after them. Tasks can include washing dishes, putting together loot bags or making invitations.
- Garden assistant: offer to mow lawns, clean up yards and wipe up patio furniture. The only problem is that you should have your own equipment. If you have your own equipment, you can consider charging your customers a higher fee, says Barbar Weltman, author of the 1999 book The Complete Idiot's Guide to Money-Smart Kids (Alpha Books).
Safe Choices on the Job
When you do get your summer job, you must think about safety. For example, Weltman reports in The Complete Idiot's Guide to Money-Smart Kids that companies that require you to work late into the night (and alone for that matter) are not suitable for teenagers. According to Weltman, this could lead to muggings. Not to mention, you may want to steer clear of jobs that require employees to use heavy equipment, as these types of positions are more suited to those with experience in machinery.
Overall, take advantage of your summer vacation by looking for a job that's right for you. Think about all of your resources, volunteer experience, ways you can start your own business and safety measures on the job.
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