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- Help wanted sign
Summer is just over a month away and now’s the time for students to apply for summer jobs. But, landing a job is harder than some might think.
The first step for a student searching for a job is to decide what kind of job he or she is looking for. That means deciding what type of job, the location, the pay, and the hours he or she wants. Although finding a job that meets all these requirements may be unrealistic, they will help the student decide where to apply for work.
The next thing the student should do is create a résumé to present to potential employers. It should be professional and should reflect the strengths and the skills that he or she offers. While it is good to include previous work experience and references, do not fabricate any because it can make it harder to get hired in the future.
When finding places to apply for work there are a few options. One is to look out for help wanted signs and ask for applications. Another way is to use the people around you to network for a job. This means asking your friends, parents, parents of friends, teachers, and anyone else who can put you into contact with people or companies with job opportunities.
Once the high school student has applied for a job, they will most likely need to be interviewed. When interviewed, the applicant should be dressed professionally and be well prepared for answering common interview questions such as, “Why should we hire you?”
“My advice for interviewing is make eye-contact with the interviewer and show confidence. They want people who ready fo the job,” commented Kristine Kohlmann, a Carlmont student who works as a lifeguard at the Pacific Athletic Club.
Most people who hire teens are looking for people who are motivated, punctual, have a good attitude, work hard, work well with others, and show leadership qualities. A student who presents these qualities will have a good shot at being hired.
These are all important things to work on that will help high school students score summer jobs.
