Getting Teens Ready for a Summer Job

Many of us, teachers and students especially, are in countdown mode for summer! For our little ones, that can mean a summer of fun will soon be upon us. And for our older kids, it is the exciting time of looking for their first summer jobs. While this can be a thrilling time, it can also be a nerve-wracking process for kids and parents. We are here to help with some tips, practice interview questions, and advice for teens while they begin to go on the job hunt.

Writing a resume (even if you have little to no experience!)

First, let’s talk about how to write a resume. Yes, I know at first as a teenager you might think “But, I have nothing to put on my resume!” While you may have no paid work experience I bet some of your skills and experiences will work well on a resume. Take a look at this resource to help you build a resume.

Now that you have some of these ideas bubbling around, let’s start putting them into our resume template. Click here to access the free resource from Education Station to help organize your resume.

Interview tips for teens

Now that you have a stellar resume, you need to be interview ready. The interview is your chance to impress your future manager. Here are a few tips to prepare for the interviews and land an awesome first job.

Get yourself ready by having a go-to interview outfit. Pick out something that makes you look like you are ready and responsible. Have a blouse and shirt ironed and ready to go along with a skirt or pants. Don’t leave the ironing to the last minute. It’s important to keep in mind that you are not dressing to impress your friends. Lose the crop tops, t-shirts (especially if they have anything inappropriate on them), clothes with holes, or anything else that doesn’t fit a business casual feel. You don’t have to wear a suit, but you want to show your future manager you took the time to look presentable for the interview.

You have the outfit all ready. Now practice the interview questions. Use our guide from Education Station here to prepare your answer to some of the most commonly asked interview questions. Take time to jot down notes on this sheet and practice answering the questions out loud. I know it might sound funny, but answer the questions to yourself in the mirror so you can see what you look like and listen to how you sound. Have your family and friends ask you some of the questions so you can practice your answers. Practice your answers more than once so you feel comfortable and confident on the day of your interview. 

Some things to keep in mind. Managers are looking for people who are prepared, organized, and demonstrate that they have a sense of etiquette. Practice shaking hands, looking people in the eyes when you are answering your interview questions, and sit tall in your chair without fidgeting. While this might seem simple, practicing these skills can make all the difference when you feel your nerves start to kick in as your future boss begins to ask questions. 

Before you head off to your interview, reread the job description and have a good idea of what the company does. It is always good to remember what job you are interviewing for and what is important to the company. 

There it is! You are prepped and ready. Now all you need to do is go show your future manager what an integral part of their team you will become. Best of luck! And let us know where our students end up getting jobs this summer.