A Teenager’s Guide to Part Time Employment

If you are just about to turn 16 or if you are already a teenager who is of legal working age, then you may be wondering if you should get a part time job. In most situations getting a part time job while you are still in high school is a great idea because a part time job will not only look good on your college applications, but it will also help you to find a better paying job once you are in college. While the benefits of holding down a part time job while you are in high school are obvious, there are also a few drawbacks including less time to study, scheduling difficulties with after school activities, and you will have to work during your free time. However, if after you weigh the pros and cons of getting a part time job you are still interested in finding a job, here is some information that you might find helpful.

Creating Your Resume

One of the first things that you will need to do once you have decided to look for a job is to create your resume. A resume is basically just an outline of your work experience and a summary of the skills that you have already developed. Your resume should include the following elements: your name, your contact information including phone number and email address, your past work experience including the name of your employer their phone number and your duties, any volunteer work you have done, any work you have done for a family business, clubs that you belong to, and a summary of the skills that you already have. Your resume should be limited to one page, it should be listed in chronological order, and it should be free of type o’s.

Finding a Job

After you have completed your resume the next step is to start looking for a job that you would like to have. You can start by looking for entry level positions that are in a field that you may be considering a career in. For example if you are interested in becoming a Veterinarian or Animal Technician, then you might look for a job at a Veterinary Hospital, at a pet store, animal shelter, animal boarding kennel, or animal training facility. If on the other hand you are more interested in a high tech career then you can look for an entry level position in a computer store, a manufacturing plant, or as an office assistant where you can get hands on experience working with computers and computer applications.

Once you have an idea of what type of job you are interested in the next step is to find a job opening. This can be done in several ways. First you can read the classified ads of your local paper. You can also look on Internet Job sites like Monster.com. Another great job resource is your local job service. The government run job service will be able to test you for skills, provide training opportunities, give you advice on constructing an effective resume, and help you locate companies that are hiring. The final way to find an open position is to approach companies that you are interested in working for to see if they have a position that is open. To do this you can mail them your resume and a cover letter that briefly explains your interest in the company, and what type of job you are looking for.

The Interview

After submitting your resumes to companies you will need to wait for a response. Sometimes companies will let you know if they are interested in interviewing you for the job when you submit your application, while others may take weeks before they respond. When you do get an interview you will want to make sure that you are prepared for the interview. Research a little bit about the company before your interview, and know what the company does, how long they’ve been in business, and what the position you are interviewing for does. Chances are these things may be brought up during the interview, and knowing about the company is a great way to earn Brownie points with the hiring committee.

When you arrive at the interview you will want to be on time and dressed appropriately. Companies do take your appearance into consideration when making a hiring decision, so dress neatly and professionally. You will also want to bring a couple of copies of your resume with you to the interview to hand out to the people who are interviewing you, and so you have a copy to refer to during your interview. When you meet with the interviewer(s) shake hands and make eye contact. Listen to the questions that are being asked, and answer the question as accurately as possible. Making eye contact with your interview committee during the interview is also very important as it signifies that you are paying attention and that you are interested in the conversation.

After the interview is over it is a good idea to send a thank you note to the company. This note should thank the company for allowing you to interview for the position, and it should recap why you are the best candidate for the job. You will want to mail the thank you note the day of your interview so that the company will receive it the next day. This will not only show that you are a considerate person who is genuinely interested in the position, but it will also refresh their memories about you when they are making their final decisions.

Conclusion

Finding a job is not as easy as it sounds. It may take you several tries before you finally find a position that is right for you. The thing to remember is that you will want to find a job that will provide you with a good work foundation that you will be able to build your career from. Don’t be affraid to take a challenging position, or to take a position that is only entry level. Every part time job has its advantages and disadvantages, and you will learn something new from each job that you have during your life.