Tough Times for Teens on the Summer Job Hunt
Teens still on the hunt for a part-time summer job are facing some stiff competition. According to a new report put out by ABC News, the poor economy means that teens are now competing with experienced adults for summer jobs. And the adults are getting them. Already, teens who have jobs are reporting that they’re working with more adults and former retirees.
Recently in Daytona Beach, Florida, over 160 people showed up to apply for 50 lifeguard positions. In past years the average age of a lifeguard applicant was 17. This year, some of the applicants were well into their 40s.
So what’s a teen to do? You may not be able to compete with the experience of a 40-year-old, but there are certain things you can do to give yourself a competitive edge.
Be open to change.
Adults with families tend to want to work early shifts. Some may just want to be home for dinner, but others may be forced to work day shifts because of childcare issues. If you’re willing to work a later shift or less desirable hours you may be more likely to get the job. Make sure you let the employer know from the beginning that you are flexible in order to help your chances.
Work for tips.
Many adults have a family to support. They may have car payments, mortgage payments and credit card payments to contend with. They’ll be looking for jobs that pay well and pay by the hour so that they have a guaranteed income. Waiting tables, delivering pizza or any other job that pays in tips isn’t going to be secure enough for a person who has a lot of bills. Finding hourly jobs that the adults don’t want will weed out the tough competition quickly.
Think seasonal.
You will be going back to school in the fall and won’t need a job anymore. Adults will. They’ll still have bills to pay long after classes begin. This makes seasonal jobs less attractive to adults. Look for places like amusement parks, outdoor pools and other summer attractions.
Be better.
Sadly, there are adults who overlook one of the most important things: making sure your application, resume and cover letter are perfect. Not just good. Perfect. Frequently we see silly typos on adults’ applications and we know that employers absolutely hate that. They will throw your application straight in the trash if you make a lot of mistakes. Take your time, double-check for errors and have someone else look it over before you apply. Being better than your competition is one sure way to land the summer job you’ve been dreaming of.