Part Two of Homeschool Teens & Jobs Blog Series
Your teen and you have made the decision that it’s time to pound the pavement and find that first job. It used to be so easy! I’m not going to go into the whole. “When I was a teenager…” bit, but it’s definitely gotten harder. Finding that right first job may not be as easy as you think.
Before the economy tanked a few years ago, it wasn’t too bad for a teen looking for their first job. Then the economy crashed and suddenly not only were there no jobs for teens but there weren’t any jobs for all of the adults that were suddenly out of work. For example, my oldest child, Becca, found it pretty easy to not only find her first job but the second one to along with it. Then just a few years later, it was my son Spencer’s turn. It took him a year to find his first job. A year! Not only was he competing against other teens, but 40 and 50-year-olds that were now out of jobs.
Thankfully, the economy is a little better and it’s my youngest daughter Emily’s turn to find her first job. So, where do you apply? How do you convince your kid that it’s really ok to work at some places and that their first job isn’t going to be a glamorous job? Where do you even look for a job since so much is online? I’m here to help!
First off, not much has changed in the way of first jobs. Here are some of the traditional places for homeschool teens to apply:
- Fast food (Chick-Fil-A loves homeschoolers)
- Restaurants (causal and formal)
- Retail
- Grocery Stores
- Ice Cream Shops
- Atheltic Stores
- Baby Sitting
- Pet Sitting
- Car Wash
Want something a little more along with a future career? Try these:
- Veterinarian’s office
- Pet Store
- Check your local hospital for jobs
- Web or graphic design
- Salon
- Intern at an office or your church
Start their own business:
- Lawn care
- Crafts, jewelry or art design
- Nanny
- Tutor
- Pet Sitter
Obviously, this list is not complete. There are so many great ideas it’s hard to list them all. The main idea of a first job is to get a first a job and gain experience. It makes getting a second one so much easier. Most places that a teen is going to work will still advertise they are hiring the old-fashioned way with a help wanted sign, or at least that’s how they do it here. If not, tell them to ask the manager themselves or check online. Most applications are online now. I think it still helps to make personal contact with the manager that will be hiring to let them know you are interested in a position and filling out an application. You can also look at online job boards and post on social media that your teen is looking for a job and find out if anyone in your circle of friends is hiring. Nepotism never hurts! Good luck job hunting!
Missed the series introduction? Just click here. For Part One of the series: Balancing Work, Homeschool, and Extracurriculars, Click Here. Next in the series will be all about Nailing the Interview.
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