Published: July 09, 2008 07:57 am            

Get a job: Job hunting tips for teens

By Cristin Ross

cross@jacksonvilleprogress.com

It’s getting tougher and tougher to become a viable entity in today’s economic landscape — especially for teens who may be job hunting for the first time this summer.

“With today’s economy, most households are seeing the teenagers and young people going to work for the summer,” said Kim Stacy, an employer services supervisor for Workforce Solutions of East Texas, formerly the East Texas Work Force Commission.

Jacksonville High School student Lydia Boyd started her employment search as soon as she turned 16 years old and managed to land a job at Taco Bell.

“I wanted to start working when I was 15 (years old),” she said, “but they told me I had to be older.”

Boyd said she wanted to start working because, “I love money. I like to have my own money, so I don’t have to ask my mom all the time. Plus I want to save up for a car.”

JHS graduate Kim Reyes got and kept her job as cashier at Dollar General all through high school.

“I wanted to earn money for college,” she said. “This is my first job and it’s pretty nice working here. They work with me to find a schedule that works around all the other stuff I had to do.”

Reyes expects to continue working as she attends college — Tyler Junior College or Jacksonville College, she hasn’t decided yet, she said.

“Having a job really teaches you a lot of responsibility,” she said. “I would tell any teen who might be thinking of working summers that it definitely helps.”

But if you’ve never been on a job hunt or an interview before, how do you know where to look for potential employers and what they’re looking for in an employee?

“Depending on a teen’s age, their target potential employers are probably going to be in the service industry, especially the retail and food service industries,” Stacy said.

Stacy said one of the most important things a teen can do to impress future employers is dress appropriately.

“No matter what, present a neat appearance, even when you get the application or drop it off,” Stacy said. “Once you get an interview, be prepared to talk about yourself. Look your interviewer in the eye, smile.”

Stacy also suggested consulting the World Wide Web for job opportunities and even tips on becoming exactly what any company is looking for in an employee this summer. There are numerous Web sites that are designed specifically for teens searching for a first summer job or a college student looking for part-time employment to help ease the strain of college.

One such site, GotAJob.com, offers advise on everything to dressing for success to tips on acing an interview, as well as search engines linking potential employees to employers.

The site offers these 10 interview tips for teens:

• Remember, an interview is not an oral exam. This is your opportunity to find out about the company as well as their opportunity to find out about you. Asking questions not only will help you decide if you want the job if they offer it to you, it also shows that you’re really interested in the company.

• Take the time to do some research about the company — check out their Web site for their mission, leadership, etc. You’ll be able to ask informed questions and show that you’ve done your homework.

• Make sure you’re at your best for the interview. Get a good night’s sleep but don’t sleep too late, and eat a good breakfast and (if your interview is in the afternoon) lunch. Then brush your teeth.

• Keep in mind the importance of a first impression. Make sure you’re dressed appropriately. Check out Dressing for the Interview for advice in this critical area.

• Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Don’t show up half an hour in advance, but don’t come rushing in at the last minute. And coming in late is the kiss of death for any interview — if you’re two minutes late for one critical meeting, how does the interviewer know you won’t be fifteen minutes late to work every day?

• Bring an extra copy of your resume, and your references. Find something neat to carry them in (don’t carry your backpack!).

• Use your best business manners — give a firm handshake and wait to be asked to take a seat. Once you’re seated, sit up straight and don’t fidget or wiggle (if you have an opportunity, a practice interview could be a lot of help). AVOID: scratching, pulling up your socks or hose, adjusting any part of your clothing (do that before you come in), touching your face or mouth, playing with your hair or anything remotely like that.

• Make lots of eye contact to convey honesty and confidence — but remember it’s not a staring contest.

• Exude professionalism. Pay attention to the interviewer, be self-confident (if you don’t toot your own horn, there’s no brass section behind you to fill in), polite, and articulate.

• Follow up is critical. Send a thank you note to the interviewer by a means appropriate to the job (if it’s computer-centered, e-mail may be acceptable; for other kinds of job, go with nice stationary or notecards).

“Read this interview tips carefully,” the site recommends. “They may seem like common sense but they may be the difference in you getting a job. Be smart, use your head, and as your mother may have said when you were having guests over ‘be on your best behavior.’”

Once a teen has landed his or her dream summer job, what can they and their employers expect?

Stacy recommends simply remembering their manners and using common courtesy, as a way to impress an employer and keep that summer job.

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions,” Stacy said. “Understand that no matter who you work for, there are going to be rules.

“Just using little common, every day courtesies, like arriving on time or calling in if you’re not going to make it into work, make all the difference.”

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) offers tips to companies that employ teenagers to promote fair, inclusive, and discrimination-free workplaces for millions of young people.

“Many employers rely on young workers to help manage the busy summer months, making such employment a win-win situation,” EEOC Vice Chair Naomi C. Earp said. “I encourage industries that depend on young workers to be extra vigilant over the next several months, as youth employment swells. Create an environment in which young workers can learn, develop, and thrive. Our next generation of workers will carry the lessons you share throughout their careers.”

According to the EEOC Web site, in September 2004, the EEOC launched the national Youth@Work Initiative, an education campaign designed to inform teens about their employment rights and responsibilities, and to help employers create positive first work experiences for young adults. Since then, the EEOC has held more than 1,300 Youth@Work events nationwide, reaching an estimated 100,000 students, education professionals and employers.

        

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