8 Ways to Help Your Teen Find a Job in Today's Economy

By Staff Writer

You promised your son that you would help him buy a car when he turned 16 if he could contribute at least a portion of the purchase price. You thought having him earn and save money to help buy a car would teach him valuable lessons, such as responsibility, the benefits of hard work and the gratification of buying something with your own hard-earned money.

Today's economy is making it hard to get those lessons learned. Where teens could once easily get a job at the local fast food restaurant, coffee shop, grocery store or ice cream parlor, these days they are competing with the millions of professionals who were laid off from their jobs and need a part-time job to support their families.

Since December 2007, more than 7 million jobs have been lost, and the unemployment rate has skyrocketed to 10 percent. While those figures may make it much more difficult for your teen to find an after-school or summer job, it doesn't make it impossible. Here are some ways you can help your teen find a job in today's economy:

1. Prepare a Solid Resume

A good skill for your teens to learn is how to prepare a solid resume. This is something that will not only help them get a job during high school, but also will be of use in their future careers.

Most teens don't have a lot of work history to present in a resume, but there are still ways to showcase their strengths. Have them include places they've volunteered, activities they are involved with in school and any other things they have done that demonstrate they are responsible (such as tutoring other kids or writing for the school newspaper). If they have strong grades, also include their GPA to show potential employers that your teen is hard working and conscientious.

As with any resume, make sure that it has been proofread and edited so that there are no grammatical or typographical errors. The look of the resume is just as important as the content.

2. Teach Your Teen the Importance of Presentation

First impressions say a lot, and if your teen shows up to an interview in torn jeans, UGG boots and with uncombed hair, their chances of getting the job are slim. Help your teen pick out an outfit or two that they can wear when they either go to job interviews or to a place they are interested in working to find out about applying.

They don't have to wear suits (unless they are interested in working in a corporate setting) but they should don professional-looking attire. That could be a nice pair of pants or a skirt and a collared shirt or blouse. Jewelry should be kept to a minimum and your teen should be well-groomed.

3. Know Where to Look

With fewer places hiring, it may be more difficult for your teen to find a place in your neighborhood to work. Encourage them to drive around your town to look for places that are hiring, or to drop by the places they'd like to work and fill out an application even if they aren't hiring.

They can also look for opportunities in their school newspaper, the local newspaper and on Craigslist. If they do opt to use Craigslist, make sure they are only applying to legitimate postings and go with them if they apply in-person.

4. Get Creative

With the Internet, part-time jobs are no longer limited to being physically present and working. If your teen has a skill like graphic design, building Web pages or artwork, they may be able to find some freelance opportunities that allow them to work from home and earn money. While they can offer these skills to local businesses or non-profit organizations, the Internet allows them unlimited access to potential job opportunities.

5. Ask Your Friends

One of the best ways for your teen to get a job is through somebody that you know. Ask your friends or relatives if they have any openings that your teen would be qualified for, or if they know somebody who does. Even if it's filing paperwork in an office or answering phones, it will be a good chance for your teen to earn money and gain some on-the-job experience.

Teens can also make decent money babysitting, pet sitting or helping people take care of their yards. If your teen is interested in doing any of these things, encourage them to call your friends, neighbors and relatives and let them know your teen is available if needed.

6. Reward Your Teen at Home

You may already give your teen an allowance as payment for them doing their weekly chores. But they may not consider that work, and may drag their feet about doing their chores or ignore them completely.

Instead, offer your teen the opportunity to do things around the house that you will actually pay them for. Have them wash the cars once a week, take the dogs for a walk in the mornings or wash the laundry. This will save you time and give your teen some additional responsibilities at home that allow them to earn extra money.

7. Stress Persistence

One of the hardest things about job searching is getting rejected, often repeatedly. Let your teen know that this is just part of looking for jobs, and to not take it personally. They may be rejected 20 times before landing just one part-time job.

Encourage them to be persistent. If there is a particular job they are interested in, have them follow up frequently so that the employer knows they are interested. If they are getting down about being rejected so much, encourage them to try looking in different industries or talk to them about what they might be doing wrong.

8. Encourage Volunteering

Of course, volunteering does not have any financial rewards in the short term. But in the long-term, a volunteer position may lead to a part- or full-time opportunity that does pay, either at the place your teen is volunteering or somewhere similar. Volunteering is also a great way to gain experience that is good both for your teen's growth and their resume.

While your teen may not be as interested in volunteering because there is no monetary reward, let them know that volunteering allows them to get involved in industries they may not have the chance to work in otherwise. Volunteers are often needed at zoos, aquariums, sports venues and other places that your teen may enjoy.

With the right amount of effort and persistence, your teen's dream of getting a car when he turns 16 may not be impossible, despite the economy.

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