As difficult as it is to find a job as a teenager, there are also rules and expectations that come along with this new responsibility that can be a struggle for teenagers to follow. Finding a job that you are interested in too can be difficult for teens. Normally, jobs that offer teen positions are ones that don’t require much training. But first you have to make sure you are well prepared for a job and what you need to consider before clicking apply.  

Location: The location of your desired job can be one of the most important factors for applying as it can affect your mood before and after your job considering its distance.
Schedule: A good job is one that can fit around your school schedule and makes sure it does not overwork you.
Experience: Experience can go both ways, what kind of experience do you have and what level of experience a job requires ( make sure to make a list of what attributes and experience you have to present)
Research: Let’s say you find the job you want, it has everything you want in a dream teen job : the distance, the pay, and you can handle all the requirements. The last thing to do is to research  reviews and complaints of previous customers/employees.

After you have applied for the desired job of your choice being ready for the interview is the next step in the process. Getting dressed for an interview can be very serious as your employer wants to see you are taking the role seriously. Depending on what job you are applying for, business casual is the way to go, meaning collared shirts and nice dress pants/ skirts. Unless your job is something more “relaxed” ( for example a clothing store like Hollister, Tilly’s, etc.) their definition of attire might be something more casual yet appropriate.

On your way to the interview, it’s important to be early or at least right on time. Being late could be a potential deal breaker for your employer. Your first impression can be crucial. Make sure you have a good attitude before, during, and after as this can be critical in your employer’s decision to hire you.  During the interview, make sure to stay calm, as being nervous and overly confident will look bad to your employer. Make sure you turn OFF your cell phone so that it doesn’t vibrate/ring during the interview. Bringing a resume is usually required during this process as it also tells your employer who you are as a person, qualifications, and experience. There are plenty of outlines and examples on Google docs in the template gallery to help.

When your employer starts to ask you questions about you or the job opening, be prepared with answers for these possible questions:

Why are you looking for a job?
Why are you interested in working for our company and why should we hire you?
How has school prepared you for a job?
Describe your ability to work as a team member?
What do you think it takes to be successful in this position?

Be sure to ask your employer questions after they have finished asking questions. Asking bad questions or even good questions at the wrong time can show your employers you are uninterested or not taking the interview seriously.

After the interview, waiting for a call back can be the most unnerving part of the process but it’s best to keep looking for other jobs and have back up interviews lined up. Sometimes the employers will call you but sometimes, they will not because they want to see if you have any initiative or interest in the job. So after a week, give them a call and check in to see if a decision has been made. Good Luck!