How to Get a Great Summer Job

Was doing some research today to compile my list of favorite summer job resources for high school and college students. I found a great blog post at Bobcat Career Advice.  Please read the entire blog post, but I wanted to share their sample list of suggested summer job sites:

A sample list of suggested summer job sites:

·         Theme and Amusement Parks

·         National and State Parks

·         City Park and Recreation Departments

·         Camps (Types of camps: single sex, co-ed, day camps or overnight, athletic camps, camps for physically or mentally disabled, church or religious sect camps, and wilderness camps)

·         Hotels, Resorts and Spas

·         Dude Ranches and Country Clubs

·         Local Recreation Centers

·         Companies with service related positions such as Retailers and Call Centers

·         Federal Government summer job program

·         Market Research Firms such as The Gallup Organization

·         Employment and Temporary Agencies

·         Non-Profit Agencies

·         Museums, Libraries and Theatres

·         Health Fields (hospitals, clinics, labs, doctor’s offices, etc.)

·         Restaurants and other Food Industry employers

·         Service Providers (Supermarkets, Courier/Delivery Services, and Daycare Agencies)

·         Construction Companies

Job Search Advice for Teens Looking for Summer Jobs

I know teens just went back to school after the break, but it is not too early to start thinking about summer plans.  The summer plans for many high school and college teens include finding a summer job.  If you have read my blog for the last six years, you know that this time of year is when I start to speaking to teens about the summer job search.

Teens should know there is a lot of competition for summer jobs in a bad economy.  Although employers are hiring in greater numbers than they have in the last few years, teens still need to think about the old adage - the early bird gets the worm.  The summer job worm that is.  These articles will help you or your teen get an early start on the summer job search.

Teens Looking for Summer Jobs Should Write Cover Letters Too
Why American Teens Need Summer Jobs
How Summer Jobs can Impact a Community
4 Steps for Teens to Get a Summer Job in a Government Agency
Looking for a Summer Job?  Government Agencies Hire Students
5 Ways Teens Can Shine in the Summer Job Interview

Tips for Landing Part Time Jobs for Teens

About SnagAJob.com
SnagAJob.com is a job board that lists thousands of part time jobs for teens in all kinds of industries including restaurant, retail, office, homecare, light industrial and more. The ZIP code search lets teens looking for work easily find and apply to part-time, full-time and seasonal jobs. Job seekers can create accounts and receive job alerts via email with hundreds of part time jobs perfect for teens.

Here are some tips for landing the first part time job from Snag-A-Job:

1. Set expectations. Teens should know what they are getting into when they apply for part time jobs and set realistic expectations about their availability and their commitment.

2. Prepare. Learn about the job search process from resume writing to job application to interviewing.

3. Spread the word. Most jobs for teens are found through networking. Teens should tell people they are looking for a part time job.

4. Consider options. Teens shouldn't limit themselves to the dream job just yet. Keep in mind the first part time job for a teen is about gaining experience.

Some additional tips from BullsEyeResumes:
1. Teens looking for work should get parents involved.
2. Get documents such as resume, social security card and working papers together.
3. Teens can ask for job search assistance at the high school career center.
4. Use good communication skills and be courteous throughout the job search.

High School Diploma and Employment Certificate

Almost 200 high school students who graduated this year from Amador Valley High School in California, graduated with more than a high school diploma this year. They graduated with a eligibility certificate to show potential employers that they are capable of getting hired and keeping a job.

The "Tri-Valley Educational Collaborative "Employability Certificate" is available to schools in three school districts - Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore.

To qualifiy for the "Employability Certificate" students needed to have a cover letter, high school resume and a career portfolio.

The program was a result of complaints from regional employers who said complained that high school job applicants did not have the basic skills needed to get hired and succeed on the job.

The hope is that this "Employability Certificate" will give students an advantage in finding a summer job and subsequent job searches.

Top 10 Secrets of Interns Who Get Full Time Jobs

Did you know that most companies with an internship programs really wants to convert the college students in the internship program into full time permanent career hires? Well they do.

Organizations like INROADS prepare college students to participate in prestigeous internship programs with that goal in mind.

As you complete your paid internship or unpaid internship this summer, think about these "must haves" from INROADS to help you convert your summer internship to a full time job offer.

-Good college resume(College Sample Resumes)
-Excellent communication skills
-Team skills
-Strategic outlook
-Training as it relates to performance
-Problem solving and critical thinking skills
-Community service experience
-Self confidence
-Corporate etiquette is crucial
-Networking makes you more attractive

Read the full article at IMDiversity here: Top 10 Secrets of Interns Who Get Full Time Jobs.

Teenagers Singing the Summer Job Blues

By Jeff Mills
Staff Writer
Friday, May. 16, 2008 3:00 am GREENSBORO

Let's say you're 16 years old. Maybe 17. Your junior year of high school ends in a few weeks, and you want to make some money this summer.

So, you go looking for a job — maybe your first real job — in an economy of $3.71 per gallon gas and government stimulus checks.

What can you expect?

"It's going to be tougher this year," said Andrew Brod, director of UNCG's center for business and economic research. "I've seen some figures that say upwards of a quarter of all kids who are able to work are going to be unable to find jobs this summer."

With unemployment about 5 percent, teens could end up competing with qualified adults, Brod said.

And a lot of the jobs out there are part-time and low-paying.

"I'm looking. I'm just not finding," said Zac Herrmann, a 17-year-old junior at Grimsley. "A lot of places require you to be 18. I tried Dick's (Sporting Goods), but you have to be 18 to sell firearms. You have to be 21 to deliver anything. Even (grocery stores) want you to be a certain age to work in the deli or sell alcohol."

Complete article

Tips for Teens to Succeed on the Summer Job

Teenage workers are an important part of the labor force and have a lot to offer. In 2006 the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that more than 8 million working teens were added to the payroll. Although teenagers are valuable in the workplace, many employers experience a difficulty getting them to be productive.

Working teens can succeed on their summer jobs or part time jobs and make a positive impression if they pay attention to these work behaviors.

Be a Team Player. Get Along With Other People
The National Association of Colleges and Employers surveys employers annually to find which job skills employers want from new hires. Teamwork and the ability to work well with others consistently show up on that list. It is a job skill employers expect teen job seekers to demonstrate on their resumes, in the interview and while in their summer job.

Be Respectful
Showing respect for supervisors, co-workers and customers is a good workplace habit that working teenagers should develop early.

Manage Time
The workplace is far more time sensitive than high school. Unlike high school, there are not many opportunities to turn in late work or show up late at work. Working teens may not get a second chance to make a first impression on the job.

Be Dependable; Show up as Scheduled
Employers rely on teen workers to show up for work as scheduled.

Be Willing to Go Above and Beyond Without Compromising Safety
To succeed on the summer job, teenagers should demonstrate a willingness to go above and beyond expectations. Teens and their supervisors should always consider safety first.

Be an Effective Communicator
Teens should develop and use strong interpersonal and communication skills on the job. Although teens exist in a “sound-bite” and text messaging world, a different type of communication etiquette is required at work.

Be Visible
Hiding from work is not an option on the job. Supervisors do not want to search for teen workers who are avoiding assignments or hanging out with friends.


Be Willing to Learn; Be Open to Criticism
Teen workers should keep their supervisors informed of their work and ask for feedback. Ask for clarification of instructions and ask for help. Employers prefer working with teens who ask for clarification rather than make costly product mistakes or, even worse, jeopardize their personal safety or the safety of other workers.

Be Confident; Ask for Additional Assignments or Training.
As new skills are mastered, employers are very open to changing the roles of their teenage workers if it will enhance overall business productivity. Teens should also be confident enough to ask for reference letters and recommendation letters at the end of a job if they have done well.

Summer Job Etiquette for Working Teenagers

It is that time again when teenagers start getting anxious and excited about landing a cool summer job this year. For many it will be a first summer job, and they dream about having their own money and the new toys from iPods to video games they plan to buy.

Although teens will definitely learn new job skills on their summer jobs, employers require that teens master certain fundamental summer job etiquette before they arrive at work on day one. Here are a few summer job etiquette tips for working teens that will reduce employer anxiety.

Teen Cell Phone Usage
Oh the cell phone! Everyone knows how important personal cell phones have become to teens. In fact, TeenFrontier.com reports that 25% of cell phone revenues come from teens. As important as your cell phone is, summer job etiquette demands that teenagers take steps to curb the use of personal cell phones in the work place. To be considered a professional working teen at a summer job, keep cell phones off, avoid texting and keep ear pieces out of sight while working.

Friends and Family at Work
Whether this is a first summer job or 10th, having friends and family “visit” an employee at work flies in the face of good summer job etiquette. Of course, it is acceptable if teens are working in the food court in the mall and family stops by to buy food. However, teen friends are just not welcome to "hang out" in the food court just to catch up during the slow times. Just as teens are not advised to look for summer jobs with their friends, they are not allowed to "hang out" while at work.

Time Management
Typically, teens do not have to rise as early in the summer months as they do during the school year. Some teens use the summer as a chance to sleep late and stay up late. Teens sometimes forget that if they set a schedule at work they are expected to be there on time and ready to work. Employers will lay off teen workers who show up late or are no-shows for work. A summer job is an excellent opportunity to develop time management skills and to show that integrity by keeping one's word about the availability to work.

Customer Service
Chances are, a first summer job experience will involve working with customers. Having a pleasant demeanor, being courteous and helpful are all good job skills, or “soft skills” that future employers will want teens to have. Good summer job etiquette requires that employees should be able to speak with many different types of people and represent the company in a professional way, even when customers are upset. Teens should know also when to get someone else involved if the situation gets out of hand.

Summer is almost here and teenagers should be on their best behavior if they want to keep working.

www.mycoolcareer.com

Stumbled upon the coolest job and career site for teens today. It is www.mycoolcareer.com!

This website is chock full of resources for teens to guide them towards career satisfaction through the following 3 steps:

Self Assessment - Tons of free career assessments to assist with career and job choices.

Exploration - Find out more about great, cool careers and which one could be best for you.

Education and Training - Explore colleges, military options and vocational training

Best Feature from My Cool Career? Web Radio Interviews about everything career.

Kudos to Jill Sanborne and the team!

Succeeding on Your Summer Job

If you are planning to find a summer job this year, think about what you want your co-workers and supervisors to say about you when the summer is over.

Here are two things you DON'T want employers to say about you when your summer job ends:

- You were rude to customers, co-workers or your supervisor. Show respect to everyone you meet on the job, you don't know who you might meet again or want to write you a letter of recommendation.

- You were late all the time or not dependable. Try to manage your time this summer and remember that your employer is relying on you to show up as scheduled.

Learn more about what employers expect from working teens:
Tips for Teens to Succeed at Work
What Teens Ought To Know About Cell Phones at Work
Summer Job Etiquette for Teens

What Teens Ought To Know About Cell Phones at Work

Statistics on cell phone usage indicate that about 1/3 of all teens or pre-teens in the United States carry a cell phone. Also, about 25% of all cell phone revenues come from this age group.

We didn't need to see those statistics to know cell phone use is prevalent among teens. Working teens should brush up on cell phone work etiquette as the summer job season approaches.

1. Don't answer your phone every time it rings. Send it to voicemail.
2. Don't be on your phone while you are ringing up a customer at the cash register.
3. Don't put your phone on speaker, so that you can hear your friend while you continue to work.
4. Stop texting when a customer, coworker or your boss is speaking with you.
5. Your cell phone ringer should not be louder or more disruptive than the company phone ringer.

Read the entire list of Cell phone Don'ts at work at BullsEyeResumes-College blog

Looking for a Cool Summer Job?

Check out CoolWorks!

If you are into the outdoors and thinking about an exciting opportunity for this summer, you want to explore Cool Works.

Summer jobs in national parks like Yellowstone in Idaho, Montana or Wyoming; Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and Everglades National Park in Florida are listed at Cool Works.

If you are interested in the environment, "green" jobs or just being outdoors, these are definitely opportunities to explore.

Cool Works allows you to create your profile and subscribe to their free weekly email updates or subscribe to their RSS feed so you can get the latest on available jobs.

Workplace Rules for Under 18 Years

The number of teens in the workforce is increasing. In 1999, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 57% of 14 year olds have some working experience.

Safety in the workplace is very important, but a HealthDay News report shows that 17.5% of working teens surveyed reported using power slicing tools or grinders, something minors are forbidden to do under federal law. Nearly half of those teens reported engaging in at least one work activity that's illegal for people under 18 years of age.

Here are the guidelines set by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for teenagers under 18 in the workplace.

- May not operate a motor vehicle as a regular part of your job
- May not operate a fork lift or many types of other power equipment such as a meat slicer, circular saw, or a box crusher
- May not work in wrecking, demolition, roofing, or excavation
- May not work in meat packing or slaughtering
- May not work in mining, logging, or in a saw mill
- May not work where there is exposure to radiation
- May not work where explosives are manufactured or stored

If you are an employed teen under 18 and are being asked to do any of these things, please tell a supervisor at work, an adult at home or your schools career counselor.