How to Help a Teen Find a Job

Networking, answering ads and creative thinking are the keys to a successful teen job search.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper Subscriptions
• Personal Computers
• résumé paper
• résumé software

1. Sit down together and assess skills, expectations and requirements, just as you would do for yourself.

2. Discuss options, taking into account your teen's time availability and transportation needs.

3. Think creatively: If your daughter wants to be a tennis star, maybe she can work at the local tennis club. Or your wannabe reporter can call local newspapers and radio stations for a go-fer or intern position.

4. Help your teen create a résumé, even if this is her first working experience. A teen résumé can include academic and extracurricular information and can mention awards, honors and relevant skills and interests.

5. Role-play with your teen. Listen to her ask for the job and describe her strengths, and coach her on what she should say in response to questions the interviewer may pose.

6. Make a list of possible contacts, including both yours and your child's.

7. Get phone numbers and encourage the teen to call for job possibilities.

8. Check local newspapers for lawn-care, baby-sitting, hauling or painting jobs around town.

9. Once your teen has applied for a job, encourage her to make a follow-up call if the management doesn't respond within a week.

Tips & Warnings

• Usually, a child must be 16 to legally get a traditional job, although there are exceptions.

• Make sure your teen knows about good grooming and the importance of articulate, respectful and punctual behavior.