Huntington Beach, CA , -- About six out of 10 teenagers in the U.S. will be looking for a job this summer--and employers know it. That's why many of them don't feel the need to "advertise" their openings to teens.
Teens4Hire.org, a national online job matching service for U.S. teenagers and employers, surveyed over 1,000 potential employers of teens. 95% of those contacted said they would not actively advertise to teens this summer although they had openings that teens could fill. Employers cite advertising budget cutbacks and the need to increase productivity with fewer employees.
How's a teen to know who might hire them? "Ask!," says Renée Ward, founder/executive director of Teens4Hire.org. "Go into an establishment and look for a sign that says they are hiring, or ask to speak directly with the hiring manager."
Places that routinely hire teens include;
- Fast food and restaurant establishments
- Amusement/theme/entertainment parks
- Grocery stores
- Hardware and building supply stores
- Hotels and resorts
- Golf courses
- Gas and service stations
- Clothing and accessory stores
- Movie theaters
- Park and recreational facilities
- Day and summer camps
- Childcare providers
- Museums
- Construction companies
- Health care facilities
"Teens should make sure they dress for business," says Ward. "While nose and tongue rings might be cool among your friends, most employers still frown upon them in the workplace. And, be prepared. Have a profile or resume of your work, education and extracurricular activities handy to fill out an application. Complete the application neatly and spell words correctly. Employers want to see this type of attention to detail."
Other tips from Teens4Hire.org include handling an interview.
Always shake hands firmly with the interviewer. Smile, and make eye contact. Be positive and take your time answering questions. Answer in full sentences and talk about what you bring to the job. Brag about yourself and back it up with proof.
Ward offers this final advice, "At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer for the opportunity. Ask when you will be notified if you get the job. Write a thank you note to the interviewer. Follow up with the interviewer if you don't hear back within a week. If at first you don't succeed, brush it off. Remain positive and move on to the next possibility."