Jobs for teens are hard to find. Especially with the economy beings as bad as it is lately, teen jobs are scarce to nonexistent. Some find luck with pet care, such as dog sitting while people are out of town or dog obedience training for a neighbor. Others have fallbacks such as babysitting and lawn mowing, but often these jobs can only take you so far. Teens need to explore to find new jobs where they can get actually work place experience and make more money. But where can they achieve this? And why is it so difficult?
The reason that teens can’t get summer jobs is that all the ones that used to be available are being taken up by older people and college students. In order to cope with the lack of funds, lots of businesses have had to do extensive lay offs in the past year. This creates a significant amount of unemployed people. These adults are taking on waitressing and retail jobs because it is a last resort. Also, college students haven’t been able intern any more because they need the money and often work places aren’t able to afford to train them any longer. So this adds another sizeable chunk of people to the employment pool. With such stringent competition, and teenagers being the youngest, least-experienced ones among the picking, they are loosing lots of job opportunities.
Some online databases allow teens to add resumes to in order for people seeking employment to find them. This can expose less popular employers to teens. A good place to look as a teen in the summer is landscaping, driveway and painting jobs. There are a great number of smaller businesses that need help, and iif they can get them, they would love young, strong employees.
Also, take advantage of family ties. If your mom happens to be close with someone who owns some kind of business or company, reach out and send an email. The worst thing that could happen is they would turn you down. During times like these, every step must be taken if you really want to find a suitable job.
Never turn down a job. The fact that you may have to wear an ugly uniform or silly roller skates shouldn’t turn you off. If it pays well and is willing to hire, take it. No one should laugh at you for looking odd, because you are making money. An income is no joke. Teens who work learn good financial planning and it allows teens to save up for cars and college.
Getting a job at the age of fifteen, sixteen or even seventeen can make a huge difference come time for college. It will have taught how to manage money and provided them with extra money. Not to mention, it prepares you with skills you will need in the real world. You are experienced in how to handle stressful situations, communicate with people and manage time effectively.