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Helpful Job-Searching Hints for Teen Job-Seekers

Finding a summer job is a rite of passage for many teens, and while in some years it may be
easier to find a job than others, the bottom line is that finding a job -- even a summer job --
takes planning, effort, and determination. And while looking for a job in the classified ads may
work for a small number of teens, there are better alternative ways to find work.

1. Always avoided your parents friends? Now is the time to get to know them better.
Networking with as many adults (family, friends, neighbours, etc.) as you can is the best way to
find a job. Networking means developing a broad list of contacts and using them to your
advantage when you look for a job. People in your network may be able to give you job leads,
offer you advice and information about a particular company or industry, and introduce you to
others so that you can expand your network. Career experts estimate that the vast majority of
job openings are never advertised or publicly announced, but filled through word-of-mouth or
networking -- known as the "hidden job market."

2. You thought school was over? Think again. Now is the time to learn all you need about job-
hunting because it's going to be harder than ever before to get a job. Try to learn more about
job-hunting basics and read about how to write a good CV, application letters and follow-up
letters.

3. How's your spelling and grammar? Better brush up. Take the time to prepare or update your
CV -- you'll need it when you go on job interviews.

4. Put away those short skirts and thrift-store clothes. When you talk with potential employers,
you need to dress your best and look professional, not like you're going on a date or lounging
around the house. Learn how to dress for success. Remember, you are marketing a product --
yourself -- to a potential employer, and the first thing the employer sees when greeting you is
your attire; thus, you must make every effort to have the proper dress for the type of job you
are seeking.

5. Turn off the television or video games and hit the street. A good way to look for summer jobs
is going to the human resources department or manager of as many stores and offices in your
town. Dress professionally and bring lots of copies of your CV.

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6. No matter how bad it gets, keep smiling. Studies show employers look for these things in
teens: enthusiasm, positive attitude, hard-working, friendly, and on-time.

by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.

http://www.quintcareers.com/teen_job-seeking_hints.html (shortened and adapted)

1. Choose the best ending for each sentence:

a) Finding a job or part-time job...

1. is almost impossible due to the current economic recession.

2. is very difficult and scary for most teens.

3. is hard work and it takes a lot of determination.

b) Classified ads might be useful for some teens but...

1. its not the only way to find a job.

2. not all of them feel comfortable in searching for jobs this way.

3. it is the most reliable way to find a proper job.

c) Networking is one of the best ways to...

1. interact socially.

2. find jobs openings which arent publicly announced or advertised.

3. expand your connections and find sponsors.

d) Job hunting strategies are...

1. very difficult to understand.

2. easily available and you can get loads of information through the internet and books.

3. vital to find a job and thats why you need to study them as much as possible.

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e) A job-seekers attire is very important because...

1. it reflects professionalism.

2. it gives away your social status.

3. it shows how beautiful and attractive you are.

f) Jobs wont fall from heaven, thats why...

1. teens must surf the net as much as possible.

2. job-seekers need to hit the street to search for opportunities.

3. most people give up.

2. Explain the words/ expressions below. Try to use your own words as far as possible!

a) helpful job-searching hints

b) a rite of passage

c) word-of-mouth

d) brush up

e) thrift-store clothes

3. Answer the following questions on the topic of the text:

a) The author of the text gives teens some useful tips on how to find a job. Can you list
them?

b) Why is networking such a useful strategy? Explain!

c) Do you agree with the author when he says that dressing well in a job interview is
important? Why / why not?

d) Enthusiasm, positive attitude, hard-working, friendly, and on-time are some of the
characteristics employers look for in teens. Can you add more to this list?

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 Answers

1.

a) 3; b) 1; c) 2; d) 3; e) 1; f) 2

2.

a) useful tips/ advice to find jobs

b) something which marks a transition from one stage of life to another, in this case the
growth from childhood into adulthood

c) the passing of information in an informal way and transmitted verbally

d) refresh our memory on how to write well and practice

e) clothes bought in shop that sells used articles, to raise money for a charitable
organization

3.

a) The most important tips on how to get a job provided by the author are expanding our
network, learning about job-hunting strategies, practicing(5) writing skills, dressing
professionally and going out and searching for job opportunities.

b) Networking is useful to broaden your chances of finding a job, because some jobs are
never advertised and you might find out about them through people in your network and
circle of acquaintances.

c) Open answer.

d) For example: technical skills/ communication skills/ the ability to listen/ the ability to
assess a situation, seek multiple perspectives, gather more information if necessary, and
identify key issues that need to be addressed/ computer literacy/ flexibility and
adaptability/ managing multiple priorities/ interpersonal abilities/ leadership and
management skills/ sensitivity and awareness to other people and cultures/ the ability to
design, plan, organize, and implement projects and tasks within an allotted timeframe/
the ability to find solutions to problems using your creativity, reasoning, and past
experiences along with the available information and resources/ teamwork

(Source: http://www.quintcareers.com/job_skills_values.html)

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