Mistakes Teens Make in Looking for Summer or Part-Time Jobs

[Md. Anikuzzaman]

Don't Make These Common Errors When Looking for Work
Want to avoid the mistakes most teens make when looking for a part-time or summer job? Keep reading!

This is NOT an article trashing teen job-seekers; it is designed to HELP you understand and learn from the mistakes of other teens.

Typical Teen Job-Hunting Mistakes

Eliminating Whole Classes of Jobs/Employers
You may prefer not to work in fast food or at a big box retailer but eliminating whole classes of employers greatly reduces your chances for finding a job — and your reasons for eliminating them may be incorrect.

You may think flipping burgers or stocking shelves will not provide you with any valuable skills or experiences but you would be wrong. Any work experience will provide ample learning opportunities.

Giving Up Job-Search Too Quickly
Some teens give up once they have turned in their job applications and heard nothing back from the employers thinking the organization must have hired someone else.

Persistent and polite follow-up is key for any job-seeker — and can be an especially effective tool for teens. After submitting your applications (especially if completed online) follow-up in person at each employer and ask if you can have an interview.

Starting Job-Search at Wrong Time
Some teens seeking summer jobs wait until the summer to start looking — which is often way too late to get a job — or at least a preferred job.

Job-hunting takes time and with more competition from adults for part-time jobs teens need to start looking early. For summer jobs start your job-hunting in the spring — before the college kids come back.

Job-Hunting With Friends
While it can be helpful to collaborate with friends who are also looking for jobs don't make the mistake of thinking you should all job-hunt together — or worse find jobs at the same place so you can work together .

There are certainly employers who hire lots of teens — especially resorts and camps for summer jobs — but unless you know your best friend is a hard-worker you may find yourself doing more than just your job to keep it.

Not Asking for Help
There are lots of rules and protocols with job-hunting and not asking for help and insights from adults is risking that you'll make a major blunder that costs you a job.

Talk to family members neighbors teachers and the like to get assistance in job-hunting. Heck some of these people might even personally know someone who is hiring teens — giving you an inside track to a job.

Source: https://www.livecareer.com/career/advice/jobs/teen-job-hunting-mistakes