| If, like most teens, you're looking for a | | | | you apply for. Always look your best and be |
| little extra cash for the movies or the mall | | | | polite with everyone you talk to when you're |
| - or for something larger like a car or | | | | applying for jobs. |
| college - you've probably thought about | | | | |
| getting a job. Getting a job as a teen can be | | | | If an employer is interested in you, you may |
| a great way to build up your resume and | | | | be called for an interview. Interviews can be |
| demonstrate your reliability and | | | | scary, but you can do a little preparation |
| dependability to colleges and future | | | | ahead of time to be ready. Most employers |
| employers. But before you embark on the | | | | will want to know what you think are your |
| glamorous lifestyle of hairnets and fast | | | | strengths and weaknesses, what interests you |
| food, take the time to learn about the | | | | in the position and what kind of schedule |
| process of getting a job and decide whether | | | | you'll be able to keep. Never, ever lie to |
| or not it's right for you. | | | | the interviewer, but be realistic with your |
| | | | answers. Remember, the goal of the interview |
| Before you start looking for a job, you've | | | | is to find out if you're a good match for the |
| got to find out if you can legally work as a | | | | job. |
| teen. Every state has child labor laws which | | | | |
| may limit the jobs you can do based on your | | | | If you're offered a job, you'll probably also |
| age and the number of hours you can work | | | | talk about your schedule and the amount of |
| during the school year or summer break. In | | | | money you'll be paid. You'll get an |
| most cases, you'll be required to fill out a | | | | introduction to the business and be briefed |
| student work permit in order to work as a | | | | on what your responsibilities will be. Pay |
| teen. Check with your schools or local | | | | close attention during your training and |
| government offices for more information. | | | | speak up if you have any questions. If |
| | | | there's anything you feel uncomfortable with, |
| You've also got to consider whether or not | | | | let your manager know - you may be able to |
| you can handle a job on top of your regular | | | | take on other tasks instead. |
| commitments. It's hard to work as a teen. | | | | |
| When you get a job, you're expected to show | | | | Check in with yourself regularly once you |
| up for your shifts, whether you've got a big | | | | start working. If you feel overwhelmed, talk |
| exam the next day or a big date scheduled for | | | | to your manager and see if you can reduce |
| the same night. You've got to go to work when | | | | your hours or change the nights that you |
| you don't feel like it, and you've got to | | | | work. However, you've got to respect that |
| keep up with your nightly homework on top of | | | | your manager has his/her own needs in running |
| everything. Be realistic with yourself - if | | | | the business and may not be able to |
| you're already struggling to keep your grades | | | | accommodate you. If not, you may need to find |
| up, a part-time job probably isn't best for | | | | another job. If your grades are slipping, |
| you. | | | | it's time to seriously consider whether you |
| | | | should be working or not. You can always make |
| If you're legally able to work, it's time to | | | | a little extra money with odd jobs like |
| start looking for a job. If you've got | | | | babysitting and yard work that you can do on |
| friends who are already working, ask them | | | | your own time. |
| which employers are good to work for and | | | | |
| which ones aren't. Search your local | | | | And speaking of the extra money, why not put |
| newspaper for part-time listings or walk into | | | | some of it into a savings account? Sure, |
| your favorite stores and ask if they're | | | | spend a little on a new pair of jeans, but by |
| hiring. It's best to apply for lots of jobs, | | | | setting a little aside for more important |
| including ones you want and ones you'd just | | | | things, you'll be developing financial skills |
| be okay with, since you won't get every job | | | | that will help you tremendously as an adult. |