Finding a Summer Job

Introduction

So, you’re hoping to encourage your teen to get a job this summer…you’ve come to the right place! Landing a summer job as a teenager can be a challenging and daunting experience, especially if this is your teens’ first time getting their foot in the door. However, there are many evidence-based strategies to help your teen in overcoming nerves and feeling confident in themselves throughout the job-hunting process. 

Where can my teen start?

As spring is here and summer is right around the corner, companies are beginning to post their job openings on various platforms. Your teen may be asking – where do I start? Pete Harrington from LinkedIn, a business and employment-focused social media platform, says that the first step is to prepare a resume and customizable cover letter (if required) prior to browsing job applications (Harrington, 2020). There are ample resume templates that your teen can utilize on Microsoft Word or Google Docs, depending on what they are most comfortable using. When creating a resume for the first time, your teen may wonder what types of qualifications they can list if they are seeking their first employed job. Luckily, there are many impressive qualities your teen can include on their resume even if they have limited working experience! 

What should my teen include on their resume?

Since your teen has likely never held a part-time job before, emphasizing their academic accomplishments, involvement in extracurricular activities, and volunteer experience can be important factors in their resume. To begin, your teen can include their name, their contact information, and their education. For high school students, many experiences are gained through school, so your teen can highlight their GPA, any language proficiencies, academic or athletic awards, any clubs that they may be in, and leadership positions held at school. Experiences outside of school, such as volunteering, can also be great additions to a resume. When describing one’s achievements, be sure to utilize action words such as “created,” “coordinated,” or “tutored.” Once your teen has created their resume, encourage them to let you or a trusted adult proofread and edit their resume. With a strong resume under their belt, they can now prepare for their job search! 

How can my teen find the right job for them?

Your teen has created their resume and is ready to get started on the job-hunting process, but how do they know what job is the right fit for them? There are many ways to go about answering this question, but first, you can ask your teen what they are most interested in doing.

Food for Thought: 

• What type of work environment would your teen strive in? What are they interested in?
• What are they passionate about? Are they passionate about clothes and would excel in a shopping center? Or do they love being outside and would thrive in an outdoor summer-camp setting? 
• What are the minimum requirements listed on job postings? Keep in mind the age requirement (16 vs. 18), or any required certifications (such as CPR).
• How will your teen be getting to work? Does this summer job have to be within walking or biking distance, or is there another mode of transportation that could get your teen to their job? 
• How much time and energy do they have to work? Are they able to work in a full-time position, or are they better suited for a part-time position?

With these questions in mind, it can be much simpler to narrow down the search options on online job platforms depending on what exactly your teen is interested in and what is available in your area.  From there, it is time for your teen to apply and submit their resume!

How can my teen properly prepare for an interview? 

Your teen landed their first interview! Now what? Ann Carrns from the New York Times points out that interview’s post-COVID may be in-person despite applications being mostly online (Carrns, 2021). The first step in preparing for an in-person interview is to plan an outfit ahead of time that is both professional and makes your teen feel confident. Avoiding hoodies, graphic-tees, and ripped jeans can go a long way in creating a positive first impression. Another important step is to prepare for answering interview questions. Many sample questions can be found online and teens can practice their answers with a parent or trusted adult to gain confidence before the interview. When it is time for their interview, it’s important for your teen to keep in mind that they may be competing against other teens or young adults for the position. By controlling one’s expectations, it allows your teen to keep an open mind and be flexible for what is to come. 

In terms of interview etiquette, encourage your teen to conduct an online search of the company before the interview. Do they know what hours the establishment is open? Where is it located? Once they get a general idea of the position and who they are interviewing for, they can prepare questions to ask at the end of the interview and nail that first impression! Another key factor that goes into landing a summer job is availability. Plan out with your teen a sample template of their weekly availability, including days and hours, and make sure to account for unavailable weeks (such as scheduled vacations, appointments, or other conflicts). In this way, they are ready to provide that information right away to their potential employer. Lastly, if your teen does not hear back within the expected turnaround time (roughly around 2 weeks), your teen can follow-up via email with the representatives they interviewed with. 

How can I support my teen if job-searching becomes anxiety-inducing?

Despite proper preparation, job-searching can make many teens (and adults!) feel anxious, especially when waiting to hear back from a possible job. However, there are many ways to ease your teens’ nerves if you notice that they start to feel anxious. The team from Indeed, a job search website, shares some steps to quell those nerves from starting a new job (Indeed Editorial Team, 2020). 

Tools for Teens: 

• Take regular breaks when you’re filling out applications.
• Talk to others that are going through the same thing, or a trusted adult. 
• Consider journaling about your feelings. 
• Take time to prepare as much as possible for an interview. This can look like planning outfits ahead of time, taking notes on a company, and having a “mock interview” with your caregiver.   
• Have something to look forward to after working on applications, an interview, or the first day of your new job. 

Concluding Thoughts 

Finding a summer job can be difficult, but there are a myriad of resources to help support your teen. From starting a resume to the first day on the job, your patience and support will help your teen thrive in this next step of their life!

Potential jobs for teens in the Ann Arbor area:

1. Argo/Gallup Park Canoe and Kayak Livery: Canoe Livery Attendant I Job Description 
2. Summer Safety Town Assistant Staff Job Description 
3. Sales Associate at the mall or other store
4. Restaurant Associate (Panera Bread, Dairy Queen, McDonalds, etc.)

 

References

Carrns, A. (2021). Tips for Teenagers on Landing a Summer Job. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/04/your-money/getting-a-summer-job.html   

Harrington, P. (2020). 6 Ways to Beat Job Search Anxiety. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/6-ways-beat-job-search-anxiety-pete-harrington   

Indeed Editorial Team. (2020). How to Overcome New Job Anxiety: Steps and Tips. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/starting-new-job/new-job-nerves