Jobs for teenagers may be more plentiful than you think!
While many adults find it difficult to find a new job, a teen searching for a job may actually have an edge in a tough job market. Adults are expected to have a job history and a consistent career path established. When jobs are hard to find, a well-qualified engineer or teacher may spend weeks or even months searching for a job in their field. In the same job market, jobs for teenagers may be plentiful. Teens typically are also going to school and are often available for night and split shifts. Many minimum wage jobs have frequent openings due to high turnover. So the jobs for teens market may actually prove more fruitful than for adults.
Fast food places usually have odd shifts and split shifts that may perfectly suit a teen in school. The majority of people hired at the fast food business are teens. They're quick and young, an asset in a fast-paced job where customers are pleased to see a cute and friendly face.
Gas stations are other places that like to hire young people for the same reasons. Hotels and motels have lots of jobs for teenagers. They always need receptionists, maids, bellboys and restaurant help. Although these jobs are almost always minimum wage, they are also not extremely demanding and sometimes even allow you to get some homework done during slow hours, particularly on the night shifts.
Clothing shops that cater to a young clientele are good prospects for teen girls. Sport shops are always looking for athletic kids who are sports savvy. Pet shops also have jobs for teenagers, as teens are usually knowledgable, having pets themselves.
Seasonal work is another good teen job market. For example, ski resorts, river rafting tour outfits and state and county parks offer short term jobs for teenagers that may last just a few months. Whereas it's difficult to attract adult workers for seasonal work, teens are happy to have a summer or winter job. After all, it's easy enough to find a new job and teens living at home often don't have to rely on a steady income.
So you can see that in many ways, you've got advantages over an established adult worker. Employers don't look askance at a teen resume with several short term jobs with reliable references. They also know you won't be badgering them for a raise. Your bright, fresh face, neat appearance and friendly attitude may be all the qualifications that employer is seeking.
By the time you're an adult, you'll have a good work history behind you. When you get through school and are seriously focusing on a career, your reputation in the teen job market will give you an edge over other teens who weren't quite so industrious.
