For many teens, getting a summer job is a “rite of passage.” It’s a transition from depending on family for money to earning money of your own. While it may be more fun to have total freedom and down time during the summer, enlightened teens will view the summer as an opportunity to move forward in life.

Why Work This Summer?

“I need a break from school,” you might say…and you do. You have worked hard all school year and you deserve a break. However, there is a difference between taking a break and doing nothing all summer.

The no-brainer reason to work during the summer is to earn money. Not only will you be able to support your own expenses, you will have money to set aside toward your future goals.

Working at a job, whether for the summer or part-time during the school year gives you valuable experience you can’t get at school or by hanging at the beach. Most employers look for people who have held jobs before; who demonstrate dependability, task responsibility and ability to get along with other people. This is called “resume building” -- you are gaining work experience that will carry over to other jobs in the future.

Working also illustrates to your family, friends and teachers that you are a responsible person. You can be trusted to go to work on time and honor commitments you make on the job. It’s a great way to let your family know, “hey, I’m growing up!”

How Do I Choose the Right Job?

Once you’ve decided to get a summer job, how do you know which one is right for you? Browse through the classified section of your local newspaper and look at the available jobs. What looks interesting? Which jobs match your education level, abilities and strengths? Where are the jobs located? You might notice that many jobs require previous work experience, which you might not have, but fear not!

Newbies to the job market can look for a job at the city or town youth employment service – many communities have one. These services list jobs for teens available in the local area; most don’t require any previous job experience. The positions are varied and include jobs in retail, summer camps, community parks and pools, baby sitting or lawn and gardening work. Some of the youth employment services have offices at schools, so ask your school counselor if there is one at your school.

What About Paperwork?

When you go for a job, you need to have several forms of identification on hand:
      • If you are under age 18, you will need working papers -- the school counseling office will have the forms available.
      • Your driver’s license or permit, non-driver ID, or high school ID; you may be asked to bring your birth certificate as well.
      • Your Social Security card. If you do not already have one, you will need to apply for a Social Security card before you apply for a job. First-time applicants must bring identification and apply in person at their local Social Security office. You can find your local office by clicking here.

If you have questions about the various forms of identification you need, your school counselor or youth employment service representative can help.

Preparing for the Job Search

Since job applications ask many of the same questions, it is a good idea to create a personal summary or resume. The youth employment service or school counseling office can help you develop one. You will need to include:
      • Contact information;
      • Any previous work experience; you will be asked about what skills you might have such as typing, software or equipment with which you are familiar.
      • Personal references – people who know you well and can speak about your reliability, honesty and work performance, such as a scout or religious leader, a coach, teacher or previous work or volunteer supervisor.
Usually, you are asked for three. Be sure to ASK those people for permission to include them as your reference. Ask them how they would like your potential employers to contact them, either at their home or work address and phone.

“But, I’ve Never Had a ‘Real Job’”

If you have never worked at a “real job” before, you might feel you have nothing to offer a potential employer – nothing could be farther from the truth!

Many employers look at the big picture:
      • List club memberships on your personal summary; make special notes about your accomplishments and any leadership positions held.
      • Include membership on sports teams or music groups, especially if you had to audition or try out for them. These types of activities usually require a great deal of commitment, which potential employers find valuable.
      • Volunteer work is also valued by potential employers – it shows you are willing to work without regard to pay, so include the times you worked at a food pantry, after-school program or other organization.
      • Regular baby-sitting and lawn care (but, not for your own family) can also be included on your personal summary. They may not be great-paying jobs, but they show that you are reliable.

Pounding the Pavement

Remember, your school counseling office or community youth employment service are great places to start your job search. You can also check the classified section of your local newspaper, or cruise the mall and spot the help-wanted signs.

When you have some leads, find out how they want to be contacted…perhaps by e-mail, online application or in person. Rarely do employers want to be contacted on the telephone.

If you plan on applying in person, remember to dress and act appropriately. Dress as if you are actually going to the interview. Avoid the use of street language or slang when you chat with the other employees as you are applying for a job. You will be expected to leave a telephone number where you can be reached. Make sure the voice message they hear is appropriate -- no street language, slang, profanity or inappropriate messages. It could make or break your chance of getting the job.

The Interview

You’ve landed an interview – great! You’ve planned what you will wear and mapped the location of the business (if you didn’t already know) so you can get to the interview on time.

Now is a good time to practice interviewing techniques with your parents or other adults in a mock interview. Think about what questions you may be asked and how you will answer them. Here are just a few questions you may be asked:
      • Why do you want to work here?
      • Can you work flexible hours?
      • What skills do you have that will help you do this job?
      • Tell me about yourself.
      • Why should I hire you?
      • How did you handle a difficult situation at school?

The interviewer might also ask you if you have any questions for them…to make a good impression, be ready with a few questions of your own, such as:
      • What is the timeframe for filling this position?
      • What is a typical day like for someone in this position?
      • What is your favorite thing about working here?

After the interview, send a thank you note, either by regular mail or e-mail. Thank the interviewer for his or her time and considering you for the job. Remind them again, briefly why you are a good candidate for the job and you look forward to hearing from them again.

So, You Didn’t Get the Job

If you didn’t get the job, just keep at it. It takes more than a few attempts to get a first job. It’s quite acceptable to apply for several jobs at the same time; just keep track of where and when you applied. Remember, there are other teens competing for the same jobs, so make yourself shine.

You Got the Job

Congratulations…you received a job offer. Before accepting it, understand you are making a commitment to show up for work on time, learn the tasks you are assigned, be respectful, responsible and dependable.

Know what you will be expected to do, or if you will receive training. Also know the hours you will be expected to work and what the salary will be. If you are given an employee handbook, read it – it will give you details about the company and your expectations as an employee.

Jobs that are advertised through a youth employment service are usually pre-screened for compliance with federal and state labor laws regarding youth employment. However, if you found a job on your own at a company that is unfamiliar to you or your family, it’s a good idea to check with the Better Business Bureau to be sure the company complies with the regulations and see if any complaints have been filed against it for any reason.

Make the most of your summer job experience, even if the job isn’t the greatest or pays only minimum wage. Soak up as much experience as you can and remember -- your summer job is a temporary job, and it can be a gateway to better opportunities.

This information is provided by New York State Higher Education Services Corp. (HESC), the state agency that helps people pay for college. HESC is the nation's largest in-state loan guaranty agency and provides more grant and scholarship money to college students than any other state in the nation.

Free college and career planning help, federal and state financial aid information and online applications for government grants, scholarships and student or parent loans are available at the HESC Web site.
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EDITORS: This article is provided by New York State Higher Education Services Corp. (HESC), the state agency that helps people pay for college. It may be used freely in printed or online publications.

For more information, contact Joanne Razzano, Sr. Communications Specialist at HESC at (518) 473-0444 or by e-mail at jrazzano@hesc.org.