When it comes to landing a job in this summer’s competitive atmosphere, teens can do a few things to improve their chances.
Step-Up, a program that helps place 16 to 21 year-old Minneapolis residents in summer jobs, suggests putting together a resume and learn how to handle a interview. On the resume, highlight your volunteer work and family responsibilities.
Step-Up program associate Amy Shapiro suggests asking questions of the interviewer. “Asking questions to the interviewer is not something teens may remember to do, but it is important in order to show the interest and research put forth,” she said.
For example, ask what a typical day on the job would be like, what is expected of employees, what the interviewer’s job is like and how they got on their given career path.
“The earlier you start with work the better,” said Shapiro. “You learn so much about what you want to do and what you don’t want to do, and that is important for students in high school and college.”
As it has become more difficult for adolescents to get those first job, some cities have set up student employment pools.
Minneapolis has “STEP-UP,”: http://www.achieveminneapolis.org/programs/stepUp_students.html
which takes applications in January and prepares about 600 teens for summer jobs.
St. Paul offers jobs for teens 14 and up through the Youth Job Corps and First Place. The site also offers tips on resumes, interviews and succeeding in the workplace.
Checking various Chamber of Commerce Web sites can be helpful. Many sites have student programs. The North Hennepin Area Chamber of Commerce, which covers Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, and Osseo, offers connections to employers..
Many Minnesota colleges work with high schools to provide summer education and college prep programs like Upward Bound. http://www.mntrio.org/State%20Programs/ub%20programs.htm
Edina’s community education department site also offers a student employment pool, where local employers can post job descriptions geared towards teens. Many babysitting and nanny jobs are posted, as well as some retail jobs. Coordinator Andrea Bernhardt says the employment pool is “a great opportunity for students to find jobs in a local setting. It is more geared towards students.”
The site not only has job postings for local businesses, but local families looking for nannies or elderly couples looking for someone to help with yardwork. Many of the jobs are flexible.
Bernhardt also suggests looking close to home by using parents and family friends. “Friends and family are a good way to find jobs. Parents know a lot of people and you can use them as resources. This type of networking is great,” said Bernhardt.
Although many jobs have already been filled for the summer, a visit to snagajob.com can be promising. Snagajob.com posts job openings hourly across the nation. Visitors set up a profile which can include a resume. By simply typing in a Zip code, visitors will see many job listings close by. There is even the option of setting a mile limit depending on how far from home a job seeker is willing to travel. By clicking on a given job description, requirements, benefits, job overview, and application will be made available.
- Teens compete for jobs with adults, {{"Teens compete for jobs with adults"}} by Kyla Riley, Humboldt High School
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