Helping teens find work can bring parent and child together
By GUEST COMMENTARY BY LINDA MILO (Linda Milo is “The Parent-Child Connection Coach.” For more information, visit www.empoweringparentsnow.com or call (310) 458-2079.)
If your teenager is looking for a summer job and you’re willing to lend a hand, here are some ways you can be of help in showing your child how to have a successful job search: 1. Sit down and spend some time with your teen talking about what your child is interested in doing this summer. If your child enjoys sports such as tennis or swimming, perhaps a job at the local tennis club or the YMCA is the place to inquire. Also, talk to your teen about what his expectations are regarding a short-term summer position. 2. Before your teen starts looking for work, talk together about transportation to and from any job location he may look into. Does your child drive? Is taking a bus necessary? Are there other means of transport (you driving and picking up?) 3. Presenting a resume is usually necessary when looking for a job. Even though your child has no past work history, a resume can be created with information about relevant skills, interests, extracurricular activities, etc. There are many resume writing Web sites that can help you and your teen create a unique resume. 4. Remember that jobs such as baby-sitting, lawn care, personal care, etc., are jobs that your teen can do without a lot of prior experience. And there are jobs available for teens 13 and up in these fields. 5. There are three likely ways to obtain a job: a) having you and your teen network among family, friends and business associates; b) answering newspaper ads and looking through the weekly work magazine ads found in street corner racks; c) having your teen talk to school personnel about getting a job.
There is also an array of Web sites (i.e. — Craigslist.com) that list job opportunities. 6. Create a list of jobs (and phone numbers) from the sources above and have your teen contact each job source. Set aside time during the day when there is peace and quiet in the home and your teen can make his phone calls. 7. Before your teen goes on that first interview, discuss the importance of being on time, dressing appropriately, having manners/being respectful toward the interviewer, and making a good impression. Remind your teen that a happy smile goes a long way. Go to Web sites that list “tips for job interviews.” Also, role-play with your teen by asking questions you think the interviewer might ask. There are also a ton of questions at www.vault.com. 8. After each interview, ask your teen to follow up with a thank you note, either by snail mail or by e-mail. 9. If the interviewer doesn’t contact your teen within the next week after the interview, have your teen call the interviewer and find out the status of the position.
Job seeking can be an adventure and an eye-opener. Encouraging your teenager in spending quality time and making real efforts in obtaining work for the summer months can bring your teen both self-esteem and development of character. Teen summer jobs are usually jobs that are fun and remembered for many years thereafter with a giggle and a smile.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 25, 2006. Read the original PDF.