How to Find a Summer or Part-Time Job

A Guide for Teens

Dear Students, even if summer vacation is still a few weeks away for most teens, now is the time to plan and lay a foundation for landing that cool summer job you really want.

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In a country like India, where there is enough human resource, you may think that you will never be able to get a proper part time or summer job. In fact, precisely because of the same reason, there are enough avenues for a youngster who can understand the job market. I present below some guidelines to get into the right kind of job you want.

The Action Plan for Teens Wanting a Summer Job

The first step you need to do is to decide on the summer job you want or need -– in terms of the type of job, the location, the hours, the pay. You may not be able to find a job that meets all your needs, but given the current employment situation you should strive to find one that meets as many as possible.

The second step you need to do is complete a self-analysis. What do you have to offer an employer? What kind of skills do you have? What kind of other work have you done -– paid or volunteer? What have you learned at school that might be useful in your ideal summer job?

The third step you need to do is develop a resume. You will put forth a very professional image if you present a professional-looking resume to potential employers. You’ll also need to learn about cover letters.

The fourth step you need to do is use all your available resources to land that ideal summer job. Talk with your parents and older family members, your friends’ parents, your teachers, and any other adults you know and ask them if they have any contacts at your ideal job’s company. Give them copies of your resume. We call this step networking, and it will give you the highest chances of landing your ideal job.

The fifth step is hitting the pavement, reading the newspaper want ads, and/or surfing the Web. If you don’t get any job leads from the fourth step, you have to take action!

The sixth step is applying for the jobs that interest you. This step is where you again use your resume. Make sure you are familiar with job applications and have all the information you need to complete them.

The seventh step is interviewing for the jobs. Make sure you know something about the company; develop answers to common interview questions; think of a few questions you could ask; practice, practice, practice with a family member of friend; dress conservatively for the interview. You can read these interviewing tips from internet and from the many books available in your library.

Where Teens can Find Summer Jobs

There are any number of places where you can look for a good summer job:

•     Local merchants: local stores often need good help — and not just in the summer.

•     Small businesses: most towns have a number of small business offices — and your family or friends probably know several owners or office managers.

•     Corporate offices: many have established summer jobs and internship programs, but often these are the most competitive.

•     Stores at the mall: have a favorite store you like to shop at in the mall? Maybe now is the time to get a job there –- just be careful not to spend all your earnings buying their products.

•     Hotels and resorts: summer is the busy season for most hotels and resorts.

•     Tourist attractions: even if you don’t live in Ooty or Darjeeling, most states have tourist attractions that especially need help during the busy tourism season.

•     Golf & Tennis clubs: as the weather improves, these clubs are usually looking for part-time help.

•     Grocery stores: maybe not the most exciting jobs, but probably the most convenient -– and not just for summer.

•     Fast food and restaurants: local restaurants always need good help -– and while not the most glamorous, it’s still a job.

•     Parks and recreation departments: city, state, and national parks and recreation departments often develop special summer programmes, and thus have job opportunities.

•     Local government summer job programmes: often various government agencies sponsor different kinds of summer youth work programmes.

•     Summer camps: I am sure you would have gone to camps as a kid — now you can go back as a counselor and get paid while being at camp.

•     Working for yourself: there are all sorts of jobs/businesses you could develop for yourself in your neighbourhood .

•     The Web: especially if you want to work outside your neighbourhood, or even your state, the Web is the place for you to explore all sorts of summer job opportunities

What do Employers Look for in Teens

Employers want motivated teens who are going to arrive to work on time, have a positive attitude, work hard, work well with others, show leadership qualities, work their full shift, and do the best job they can. You need to show your employer that you are a good investment, both for the current position, as well as for any potential future positions.

Learn to assess the career you are looking for

Here are the keys to successful career assessment. Follow these simple rules and you should achieve success in this self-discovery process.

Here are the keys to successful career assessment. Follow these simple rules and you should achieve success in this self-discovery process.

Do be aware that assessments are available to help guide you toward the right career for you. A qualified career counselor can administer, score, and interpret these assessments. A number of free career assessments also are available on the Internet, though many experts question their reliability.

Do compare online career assessments to see which ones might meet your needs.

Do keep your expectations in check when you take free online assessments. You may attain some direction and guidance from these tests, but don’t be overly reliant on them for magic answers.

Don’t discount the possibility that these free online assessments might suggest to you some career ideas and directions you had never thought of and that are worth further exploration.

Do take several different assessments to help you learn more about yourself and to help you determine which tests provide the most reliable results for you.

Do print out and retain the results of the assessments you take online. Compare results, and see if you can see patterns — a “career snapshot” — beginning to emerge.

Do trust your gut. If a free online assessment tells you something about yourself that doesn’t ring true, disregard that information.

Don’t rely on free online assessments alone for self-discovery and career guidance. Meet with a career counselor; college studentsand alumni usually have free or inexpensive access to counselors. Supplement the results you’ve obtained from free online assessments with other assessments the counselor might administer. Ask the counselor to help you interpret and integrate the results of various assessments.

Do use career assessments with a variety of other self-discovery activities, such as examining your strengths and weaknesses and the activities you most enjoy and least enjoy.

Do have fun taking career assessments. Self-discovery is almost always an enlightening and often entertaining process.

Compare online career assessments to see which ones might meet your needs.

Keep your expectations in check when you take free online assessments. You may attain some direction and guidance from these tests, but don’t be overly reliant on them for magic answers.

Don’t discount the possibility that these free online assessments might suggest to you some career ideas and directions you had never thought of and that are worth further exploration.

Take several different assessments to help you learn more about yourself and to help you determine which tests provide the most reliable results for you.

Print out and retain the results of the assessments you take online. Compare results, and see if you can see patterns — a “career snapshot” — beginning to emerge.

Do trust your gut. If a free online assessment tells you something about yourself that doesn’t ring true, disregard that information.

Don’t  merely rely on free online assessments alone. Supplement the results you’ve obtained from free online assessments with other assessments the counselor might administer. Ask the counselor to help you interpret and integrate the results of various assessments.

Do use career assessments with a variety of other self-discovery activities, such as examining your strengths and weaknesses and the activities you most enjoy and least enjoy.

Do have fun taking career assessments. Self-discovery is almost always an enlightening and often entertaining process.

Final Words of Advice

Jobs are jobs. You are going to have to work, no matter how “cool” the job or company, so be prepared for some days to not be as great as others. The keys to remember are that you are earning money, you are gaining experience, and you are making good contacts (and references)!

Merlyn Ross