Xatal

Money is always pretty hard to come by when you’re a teenager. As what we have available to us expands, so does our need for money. Before we know it, we need money to pay for gas, video games, hanging out with friends, and a ton of other things. During the school year it might not be a great idea to have a job because it might conflict with what little free time you already have, but during the summer it starts to seem more and more like a good idea.

But what jobs are good and what jobs are bad? Being young, it’s hard for us to be picky, but there are good summer jobs out there for teenagers. You just need to hunt around! Bear in mind these general tips which, while pretty obvious, can be a huge help to you in finding a job:

Talk to your friends that have or have had jobs.

Talk to all of your friends with jobs: each one might have a different story to tell. Friends can give you excellent advice about places to work that are good and bad, as well as details about what to expect. Some places you think would be great to work at could end up being awful, but other places that seem dull could be really good for you. Tell your friends to let you know as soon as there is an opening. Having them put in a good word for you could make it that much easier to get a job, and you might get an opportunity to work with your friend!

Consider the wages.

Being a teenager, you’re not really going to have much room to be picky. You may very well have to settle for a minimum wage job. Luckily though, there are some jobs that will pay you more than that. For example, many grocery stores are unionized, which means you’ll have an hourly pay higher than minimum wage. Be warned, though, that higher paying jobs are always going to be more competitive, so don’t be too disappointed if you can’t find one.

Once again, it’s hard to be picky. Some summer jobs may have you sitting around for hours, bored out of your skull. Others will force you to be out in the sun constantly. Think about what you’re capable of, and don’t pick a job that you just aren’t up for. If you’re under 18, be aware that a lot of places will not hire you, and some jobs may be illegal for you to work at.

How many hours do you want, and what times are you willing to work?

Most jobs won’t give you the best hours until after you’ve worked there for some time, so be ready to start out with some bad hours. Often times, you’ll be stuck working on weekends or Friday nights, so be ready for that. Some jobs will ask you to come in very early in the morning or very late at night, or even both.

Make sure you can get there.

If you drive, this won’t be a problem, but if you don’t have permanent access to a car, be ready to have to ride your bike or to walk to your job. You may be able to get a ride from a parent sometimes, but be fully aware that this won’t always be the case. If your workplace is 3 miles away from home, don’t be surprised if you have to walk home sometimes.

Apply early.

Don’t wait until mid-June to try for a job — start getting applications three or four weeks before school gets out. Applying early reflects very well on you. The early bird gets the worm!

Fill out as many applications as you can.

Go around town, stopping almost everywhere that hires teenagers that you think you’d be willing to work at. Don’t worry if you don’t think they’ll hire you. The more applications you grab, the better.  Try to grab at least 10. Just because you grab an application doesn’t mean you have to accept the job, it just means you may be interested. If you have a local mall, you can easily grab 20 or more applications in no time at all.

Check on your application.

When you come in to turn in your application, dress nicely and be very polite. Ask if you can speak to the manager and introduce yourself to him/her. They may set up an interview with you (or, if you’re really lucky, hire you on the spot). Try to make them laugh, but remember to be polite. This is your first impression — make it a good one. Once you’ve turned in your application, wait two or three days and then call them to check up on it (or stop by, if you’re in the area). Keep doing this until they arrange an interview or tell you that they aren’t interested. Managers want workers who are persistent and dedicated, and this will show you are just that.

Bear all this in mind and you should be able to get a job. Remember that you can’t be picky, but you can give yourself more options if you’re willing to put in a little bit of effort.

Here are some jobs which are good places to work as a teenager (no fast food!):

Mowing lawns can be a good summer job

• Movie Theater. Being in an air-conditioned building can be nice. Being able to see movies for free/cheap is great as a teenager as well.
• Grocery store. Again, a lot of grocery stores are unionized and pay well. Be ready to start out as a bag boy or inventory. You can always move up if you stick around.
• Retail stores. Stores like Target and K-Mart can be good, but be ready to work odd hours! One of my friends worked at a Target stocking the shelves, and he had to report to work at around 4 AM every morning. However, you can also get jobs on the floor as well during normal hours. I’d advise against Wal-Mart, and I’d actually suggest a local mom & pops store if you can find one.
• Lifeguarding. You’ll need to be certified, so be aware that you have to take a class. This is a fairly easy job, but it does have some responsibility. If you’re a good swimmer and not ashamed of your body, this can be a great way to earn money. Other jobs with pools are great, such as pool maintenance. I held a steady job cleaning pools for two and a half years that lasted me through high school.
• Orchards. Here, a lot of kids will find jobs in peach orchards. These are some brutal working conditions, filled with long days, but the amount of hours you get should make a hefty paycheck.
• Waiter/Waitress. Tips are good! These jobs are usually taken quickly and by older people, but it never hurts to try. Find a local restaurant that usually hires teens your age and apply there.
• Work around home. Not really a job, but if your house needs a lot of work and your parents are too lazy or busy to do it, offer to do it for them for money. You’ll avoid the hassle of taxes and transportation and you’ll be helping your family!
• Bowling alley. Here, people always forget we have one. Working at a bowling alley seems pretty simple.
• Mowing lawns. Cliche, yes, but it is something people need done. Nobody likes mowing the lawn when it’s 100 degrees out, and some people will pay you well to do it for them. This is a great under the table job, and you can easily make good connections with people to possibly find later jobs.

Finding a job doesn’t have to be the hardest thing you do. As long as you follow the above tips and open yourself to work, you can definitely find a job.

What are some things that have worked for you guys?