| Finding summer jobs for teens |
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Quick-service restaurants are more likely to hire
younger teens. Resume-building jobs such as lawn-mowing positions
and baby-sitting gigs are also possibilities.
With sit-down restaurants, "you have to be 18,
19 and in some cases 21 to be considered," Ward says. "For
the most part, the older you are, the more jobs that are open to
you."
Eighteen- and 19-year-olds with high GPAs and
good people skills who have had a few jobs "will probably be
in a position to be picky," says Ward. Fast-food chains sometimes
offer $10 an hour, she says. "As long as the teen has the basic
education to do the job."
As teens get older, and have a couple of summer
jobs and some references behind them, the wages can climb. As teens
prove themselves and gather experience, they might be put into jobs
where they can earn tips or commissions, Boyer says.
Employers "will look at the GPA,"
Ward says. "They will look for workplace savvy. They want better
students. They want students they feel understand the needs of the
business world."
Apply early
While teens should start applying for "big jobs" such
as summer camp and national park positions in January, if teens
haven't lined up a summer job, they can still acquire work experience
with a little creativity and responsibility.
"If you don't have a job, go invent a job,"
says Godfrey. Teach other kids how to play soccer, read books to
little ones or stage a play with other children. If teens can't
invent a paying job, they can volunteer or apply for an internship.
Parents may want to reward nonpaying gigs with an allowance, she
says. Paying or not, working teaches teens responsibility.
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