Where to Find a Summer Job

Studies show that most employers line up their summer employment in May. So, if you're planning on working this summer, now is the time to get busy!

My teenage daughter is looking for her summer job. I'm far pickier than she is. I want her to be selective in where she chooses to work.  I think it is ver advantageous to have jobs on your future resume that have a natural order to them that shows a desire to pursue a particular career path.  I know this certainly impresses me when I look at applicant applying for a position I am conducting interviews for. 

She plans to pursue a career in graphic design. She has an artistic background and already designed some album covers for some friends who have created a small local band.  

Teens4Hire.org Notice this is a dot.org site. It claims to be the #1 site for teen jobs for teens ages 14-19.

Some great articles I found on their website include:

Click here for the Top 10 Qualities Employers Want Most in a Teen Candidate.

Click here for the Top 10 Places For Teens to Look for a Summer Job

Summerjobs.com is a website offering seasonal and summer job positions.

Many of them are with national parks, hotels, resorts, environmental organizations, camps and amusement parks.

Cool Works.com is for those looking for a seasonal job.

Some of the jobs found here are summer jobs in national parks like Yellowstone or Yosemite.

They also have summer camp counselor positions. Positions at ranches, theme parks, ski resorts, and tour companies are also included.

JobMonkey.com I was really impressed with this company's website front page.

It had lots of variety in its category listings.

There seemed to be some categories that you don't find at most job sites.

Backdoorjobs.com has adventure jobs that really caught my attention.

They look like so much fun if you live in one of the states where they have them.

CampResource.com is great resource for locating summer camps of all kinds. 

SnagAJob.com is another resource for finding a summer job.

I'll share with you the same suggestions I've given my daughter. When looking for a job consider the following:

• What kind of time can you commit to? Don't apply for a job that needs you on weekends if you like having weekends off. You'll never be happy there. Work to your strengths. If you are a morning person, find a job that starts early like a donut shop or bakery. If you tend to run late, find a job that is more flexible about that or give yourself lots of time to get there.
• What kind of people do you like to be around? Do you work better alone or in groups? Do you like working around the elderly or young kids?
• Do you like to work somewhere where you'll meet people? What kind of people do you want to meet? Will these types of people come to where you work?
• How will this job look on your resume five years from now? How does it fit in with your career plans? Will a potential boss look at it and think highly of you?
• Have you observed or talked to others who work at this company? Do they seem happy? Do they like their boss? Does this company have a high turnover?
• What will it really cost you to take a job at this place? Is it close to home? Will it take a lot of time and gas to get there? Are there any perks for working there such as discounts, etc. All of these things have monetary value.
• Referrals from adults are great resources, but be sure to remember that they have put their reputation on the line for you. Make sure you behave and live up to their recommendation.
• It's very risky to recommend friends to work at the same place.  They can often get you into trouble.
• Act as a responsible teen and you'll stand a better chance at being treated like one.
• Teens tend to tell the world about every aspect of their lives on MySpace, FaceBook, Twitter, etc. Just remember that your boss and co-workers can read them and many people have been fired over comments made online. Some things are better kept to yourself.
• If the job doesn't work out, leave on good terms. Never burn bridges.