The bad news--over the past nine years, U.S. teen employment has fallen to record lows. The good news--there is pending legislation designed to create jobs including components that specifically target teens and young adults.

Teen employment for 16-19 year olds fell below 30% in 2009 a record low, the only teen age bracket tracked by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Fewer jobs are available that teens could fill and there is more competition for these jobs from adults with greater work experience. Teens 18-19 were employed more than teens 16-17. Females were employed more than males. Whites were employed more than Hispanics. And, African American teens were the least employed.

Given the modest economic projection for 2010, we may only see a slight improvement in teen employment this year. Renee Ward, founder of Teens4Hire.org says, “The attention teens and young adults are getting from Congress, the White House and governmental agencies is much needed. Incentives that will get the private sector to create meaningful jobs and hire youth is critical.”

Teens4Hire.org polls show that 80% of teens 14-19 want paying jobs. Teens crave paid work-based learning experiences such as internships, co-ops and apprenticeships that make education relevant and interesting and let them explore career options. But for pay, teens are willing to work as housekeepers and gardeners too. They need the income for necessities such as school supplies, transportation, phones, clothing, college savings and in many cases to help support their entire family.

A $1.5 billion legislative bill “Youth Jobs Act of 2010” has been introduced by U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) that is targeted to create 450,000 jobs and training opportunities for economically disadvantaged youth across the country.

And, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar unveiled a “Youth in
the Great Outdoors” initiative to challenge the Interior bureaus to
increase youth employment by 50 percent this year to 12,000.

In addition, Ward says teens should look for “NOW HIRING” signs at places they visit. Employers might give teens more consideration for employment if they show up at their door. Employers want to hire people with a positive attitude and attitude is something a teen can control.”

Best bets for finding employment are: city-run youth programs, amusement, theme and recreation parks, ice-cream, juice shops and grocery stores; libraries, museums and zoos; fast food and casual dining restaurants; child and elder care services; and offices needing clerical or customer service help.

More helpful information can be found in the RESOURCES area of Teens4Hire.org to help teens land a job, get work experience and/or explore other ways to earn money.

From time to time we come across meaningful services that can further help in a job search so we’re sharing this information in the hopes that it will help you.

Teens4Hire.org’s Job Hunting & Career Advice Bookstore.  
Here you’ll find editorially selected books and resources for teens, parents and counselors.

Teens4Hire.org’s ResumeRabbit. Circulate your resume on up to 81 sites faster!

Teens4Hire.org’s MyJobHunter. New search engine makes finding a job easy!

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Teens4Hire.org, a web site devoted to helping employers recruit teens, reaches about 2 million ambitious teens across the U.S. looking for work. If you have an opening a teen could click here to post your ad

Please review:
Top 10 Tips to Land a Job
Top 10 Qualities Employers Want Most in a Teen Candidate
Top 10 Tips on How to Write a Resume
Top 10 Places for Teens to Look for a Job
Job Titles/Positions Suitable for Teens
Overall Skills and Behaviors Businesses and Organizations Seek
Best Things to Do if You Can’t Land a Job

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