How to Help Teens Find Jobs

Fast food restaurants are a good start.

If your teen is constantly begging you for more money, you have probably uttered the words "Get a job!" But it can be difficult for a teen without any job experience to find a position, especially in the current economy. There are some steps you can take to help your teen land a job and save your sanity.

Instructions

1. Point out strengths and interests. While he or she might want to go the route of browsing the classifieds, another option is to consider what they enjoy and are good at and then start up his or her own business. Your green-thumbed daughter might make some green of her own caring for neighbor's plants while they vacation. Your animal-loving son could become a pet sitter and dog walker.

2. Suggest people you know that your teen can contact. Give your teen phone numbers or email addresses of friends, business associates and other people in your community who might be able to give your teen a heads up on a job.

3. Help your teen create a resume. Even though he or she might not have any "real" job experience, they definitely have acquired some skills. List any regular babysitting jobs, and don't forget extracurricular activity your teen has been devoted to. These resume listings will show that your teen knows how to be responsible and follow through with duties they take on.

4. Role play with your teen. Pretend that you are an employer interviewing them for a position. Look up sample interview questions online and guide them to professional, intelligent answers. Then turn the tables and have your teen interview you, so that you might show them some pointers.

5. Encourage your teen to appear as professional as possible. Even though the job they are applying for might be at the mall, a potential employer will likely be impressed and your teen will stand out above other applicants if they "dress for success."

Tips & Warnings

• Talk to your teen about their strengths and weaknesses, and help them consider how a weakness could take on a positive light. Employers often ask these types of questions, and if your teen is prepared to answer he or she has a leg up.

• As tempting as it might be, don't make networking calls on your teenager's behalf. By doing so, you might rob them of an invaluable learning experience.

Resources

• Source for part-time jobs