posted
Well here it is the first summer I'm able to be employed and employment is hiding well around my town. Does anyone have any tips or ideas about where to apply. Maybe somewhere that noone else really thinks of. And also when calling/ going around asking and applying any extra little helpers that make people go "wow what a nice girl" Thanks bunches!
quote:Originally posted by fairie: Maybe somewhere that noone else really thinks of.
Hmmm...if it's someplace that nobody else really thinks of, then how on earth will we know about it?
Before we can answer this question, it might help to have a little bit of background information. Whereabouts do you live? Are you in a small town, big town, medium-sized town? What sorts of things are you interested in? What sorts of things are in your city?
You see, a summer job often has more to do with what's local than what's desireable. And while we can all tell you to go get a job lifeguarding at your local beach, that would be meaningless if you're in a landlocked area. Make sense?
posted
Personalized cover letters. If you know the contact name of someone for a potential job that's been posted in the newspaper, or on a website (like http://www.jobbank.gc.ca for Canada), personalized cover letters will get their attention every time, especially from a student.
Other than that, there's not much advice I can think of without knowing more about your situation, like Bruin said.
I just got a summer job- I'm a tour guide at a local museum. I'm really excited about it.
Posts: 1679 | From: London, ON | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
Silly Me! How did I think you were supposed to help me without any info about me? Well I live in a small to medium sized town that is completely landlocked. We have a few restaraunts and grocery stores. That is basically it when it comes to "teenage" employment. I know about resumes and cover letters,I just have no idea how to write one. (btw I'm from the usa) Oh, and congratulations on the great sounding job Jane.
posted
Any non-profit groups in your area who hire some people for pay? I know Planned Parenthood has some internships for teens. How about babysitting? Retail?
------------------ Summertime, and the living's easy...
Posts: 12677 | From: Los Angeles, CA ... somewhere off the 10 | Registered: Jul 2000
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posted
Thanks! Along with what Gummy suggested, what about inquiring at places that interest you? Maybe the local radio station needs someone to sort all their CDs, or you can talk the newspaper into a 'teen page' once a week during the summer that you could head and write for, if you're an aspiring journalist. Things of that sort.
Cover letters are pretty basic. Mine consists of my address and phone number in the left hand corner, ATTN: [name of contact], Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms. Contact, a short letter that sums up your best skills for that particular job (ie: I've taken typing courses throughout high school with a consistent 80% average, etc.) and then a closing statement like "Thank you for considering me for this position. I look forward with speaking to you in the future". Print it out, sign your name and viola! Cover letter! You canuse the same cover letter for different jobs, making sure you change the name and your various skills.
Posts: 1679 | From: London, ON | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
When you put in your application, make sure to talk the manager. Ask them if you should call, and show them why it would be so cool to hire you.
Some girl came into my work today and had an app. and was just going to drop it off, I asked her if she wanted to talk to the manager. She said sure, and she was so open and nice, that she is starting Thursday. Thats how I got my job, my employer said after my interview "you smile alot, your hired!" lol
Posts: 197 | From: north carolina, United States | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
Duuuude, you've got grocery stores in town? Hit them up immediately!!! I worked in a large grocery store in my hometown for several years a while back, and I had the time of my life. It's a cesspool of people your age and a little bit older, and there are tons of people that typically staff each one. There were 187 in my store alone, and that is a healthy dose of new friends to make. Aside from that, grocery stores tend to have enough specialty sections (Produce, Florist, Meat Department, Bakery, Service Deli, etc) that you have some promotional opportunities as well, should you decide to keep the job after summer is over.
Sometimes I lie in bed at night and I realllyyyy miss those days...
posted
While it's a bit late for this tip now, it might be something to keep in mind for the future- businesses often hire summer staff during the spring- if you wait until it's actually summer to apply, you risk missing the boat.
That is not to say that you should give up your search, but next year, start handing out those applications in April or May (and to any southern hemisphere folk reading this, remember to hand yours out in October and November).
1) Whenever you go out job hunting, dress well. Being well groomed and well dressed no matter where you may be applying is incredibly important. Example: My boyfriend went into a retail store to fill out an application. He was well groomed and wearing kaiki's and a nice shirt. The manager noticed him filling out the application, interviewed him right then, hired him on the spot, and he started work the next day. The manager later told him that this was based largely on the fact that he made such a good impression by being well dressed. So dress well enough to prove to them that you really want to be employed, even if you're only going in to fill out an application at McDonalds or something.
2) Think contacts. Who do you know? Who do your parents know? Talk to people. I'm currently working for my dermatologist. I went into her office for an appointment at the beginning of the summer. When she asked what I was doing for the summer, I mentioned that I was looking for a position and she said she might just be looking for somebody with my skills. I dropped of a resume that day, and within the week I was at work for her. Even if the people you know aren't looking for someone to hire, they may know of somebody else who needs help. And don't be afraid to hand your resume to people, even if they aren't hiring. Lots of places will keep it on file and may offer you something later, or they may be able to pass it on to another individual or company.
3) Don't feel limited to only sterotypical "teenage" employment. There are a lot of places and people who WILL hire teenagers, they just usually don't get asked. If you've got a decent resume, show up well groomed, and have good references...then many places will jump at the chance to have a student working with them. The jobs still may not be glamorous, but you don't have to be stuck flipping hamburgers if you don't want to. You just have to be willing to think outside the box and show them some initiative.
4) Shoot for things that you enjoy. If you enjoy photography and are thinking of it as a career path (for instance), then try your local photographers. If it's something you enjoy, then it's something you're going to be excited about...and excitement is incredibly important. When someone asks you why you're applying for a job, saying "well, I need something to do and could use the extra money" just ain't gonna cut it. People are going to be so much more likely to hire you if you're excited about being involved in that type of work and if you have some knowledge of the industry/job beforehand (this may mean a bit of research on your part to find out just what may be intailed in your potential new position/company).
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