Parents Can:

Be involved

  • Before the job search begins, make decisions with your teen about appropriate employment.
  • Set limits on how many hours per week he or she may work.
  • Discuss transportation and decide how your child will get to and from.
  • Make sure your child knows you are interested in his or her part-time job.

Leverage Connections

  • With years of professional experience and amassing professional and personal connections, parents can be of real benefit to their children, who may have fewer contacts to leverage when it comes to landing a job.

Offer Privacy Protection

  • Parents can provide some guidance to their children regarding protecting their online presence.
  • More and more hiring managers and recruiters are going to their keyboards to find and check out viable candidates. It’s a good idea to make sure that whatever turns up in an [Internet] search portrays the job seeker in the best light.

Ask Questions

  • Meet your teen’s supervisor, request a tour of the facilities, and inquire about the company’s safety record.
  • Ask about safety training, duties, and equipment.
  • Don’t assume the job is safe. Every workplace has hazards.

Talk, talk, talk – and listen, too

  • Ask questions about your teen’s job.
  • Ask teachers to give you a heads-up if grades begin to slip.
  • Frequently ask your teen what she or he did at work and discuss any problems or concerns.

Know the laws

Teens Can:

Make Sure the Job Fits

  • Before you accept a job, make sure your employer is aware of any limitations including, if you can only work certain days or hours, if you don’t want to work alone, or if there are certain tasks you don’t want to perform.

Find Leads

  • Check online teen job sites or classified ads.
  • Fill out applications or drop off résumé at local businesses.
  • Ask school couselors, parents and relatives to connect them with possible employers.

Use Technology Tools

  • Teens are often well-versed in technology and social media.
  • Having a presence online is no longer considered a ‘maybe’ and is a critical part of a successful job search.
  • Children can share their insider tips and guidance on using social media and professional networking tools including Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter for the job search.

Prepare a Résumé

  • A good résumé is the best job-hunting tool. Unlike an application form, which you only fill out when you apply for a particular job, you can hand résumés out to relatives, friends of the family, teachers, and other people you know.
  • Talk to your school counselor for advice on preparing a résumé.

Dress the Part

  • When heading out for and interview, avoid looking too casual. That means no sandals, jeans, or cutoffs.
  • Even if you’ll be scooping ice cream behind a counter, it helps to look professional for the interview. Not sure how to dress? Ask a parent or adult.

Start a Business

  • Consider starting a pet sitting, dog walking, child care, computer services, yardwork, or cleaning business.
  • Print up flyers with pricing and contact information and hand out to neighbors and post on community bulletin boards.

Play it Safe

  • Always follow safety training.
  • Working safely and carefully may slow you down, but ignoring safe work procedures is a fast track to injury.
  • Trust your instincts. If someone asks you to do something that feels unsafe or makes you uncomfortable, don’t do it.