|
more articles like this
Job Search 101
updated: Jun 26, 2010, 9:20 AM
By Cameron Evans
Searching for a job can be difficult for a teenager. As obvious as this statement may be, it does not lessen its truthfulness. High school is the most challenging time to look for employment. This is the case for several reasons.
Reason number one: The paradox of work experience. Without work experience it is difficult to get a job, but it is impossible to have work experience without a job.
Fortunately, I have had lots of volunteer hours at various camps and organizations, but that is still no guarantee. High school students need to pad their resumes with everything that may be relevant, just to have a chance.
My job search had recently gotten to the point where my dad would send me practically every job offer he found on Craigslist, be it posting up flyers weekly or moving a couch. I've never felt exactly comfortable with Craigslist (massages, anyone?), and so the emails were ignored.
Reason number two why getting a job, as a teen, is difficult: Young people are more of a risk. Believe it or not, there are plenty of grown men and women who would love to have a job at Carvel or Carl's Junior due to our current economy. And the fact is that teens can be a wild card. But while I understand that some teenagers may contribute to the reputation that young people shoplift and break rules, I feel that people need to cut high school students a little more slack.
I recently had to answer a survey for a job interview, which consisted of multiple questions of this sort: Do you feel it is wrong to steal from the company? Do you feel it is wrong to steal for the company if you think you need it? Do you feel it is wrong to steal from the company if you know you won't get caught? How about if you need to pay back your drug dealer who is also your partner in secret terrorist activities? Okay, maybe I made the last one up.
The age of 17 or 18 is the time in a young person's life when he or she needs a job the most, with gas prices not getting any lower, and the new responsibilities of car insurance and college. However, this is also the time when it is the most difficult. What gives? There are no simple solutions, other than to practice resume writing and hope for the best. Remember that even volunteer experience counts for something, as it proves a person is reliable and is capable of arriving at a place consistently and on time. I wish the best of luck to all the teens out their looking for jobs.
As for me, I received a call a few days ago from a movie theater I applied to. And I am glad to say that the search is over.
Cameron Evans is a student at Dos Pueblos High.
2 comments on this article. Read/Add
# # # #
|
