Job Resources for Teens
According to Utah State University’s Career Design Team, there are a few important steps to consider as teens begin searching for a summer job. The first step should be to clarify your goals. This means that you need to identify your strengths, skills, interests, and values. Consider what you want to get out of your summer job. It’s a good idea to prioritize what you are looking for most. For example, you may be looking for experience, the highest paying job, or a job with a flexible schedule. Next you should start researching opportunities. Be sure to consider your limitations such as your location and entry level positions, then identify seven to ten potential employers and conduct informal interviews with people who work in those fields to see if their day-to-day responsibilities are interesting to you.
Now it’s time to prepare yourself for the job search. That includes things like finding potential references, creating a resume, practicing interview skills, and making sure you are comfortable with image your social media accounts portray. Lastly, take action! Develop a system for tracking the jobs and responsibilities you might apply for and don’t be afraid to apply for multiple opportunities. Keep in touch with potential employers, and make sure you are ready for an interview.
Job Preparation Resources
From Utah State University’s Career Design Center |
from Utah State University’s Career Design Center |
 from Utah State University’s Career Design Center |
 Career Tutorials Course *Note: This course is completely FREE of charge and is self-paced. You must have an A-number to enroll. To request an A-number, please CLICK HERE. |
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Other Activities |
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FAQ's
Beyond the regular advice of showing up dressed professionally, having a strong handshake, and a positive attitude, make sure you know how to answer interview questions to highlight your skills. Utah State University’s Career Design Team recommends the STAR method. The formula for a STAR answer is Situation + Task + Action + Result = Strong Response. Simply stated, make sure to answer an interview question by highlighting the skills you have because of your previous experience.
Many teens are excited for a summer break, and don’t think of a summer job as a time commitment. When looking for a summer job, make sure it fits with your schedule, and be upfront with future employers about any family vacations, sports obligations, etc.
Also, make sure that your social media portrays a professional image. A recent study found that 78% of employers will check a person’s social media page when determining if they should be hired. (Business News Daily, 2021)
While identifying references may be challenging at first, most teens probably have more references than they think. Teens should think of five adults in their lives who are not immediate family members. These could be teachers, coaches, religious leaders, community leaders, etc. Then think of how those adults could speak to your soft skills and how they would be beneficial to an employer. You don’t have to have worked for someone for them to be able to talk about things like your work ethic, responsibility, and positive attitude.
The same advice applies when you are trying to develop a resume while this may be your first job. Think about all of the skills and experiences you’ve had because of your schoolwork, hobbies, and volunteering. Utah 4-H has many resources to help teens develop content for a resume. Check out all the resources offered on this page: https://extension.usu.edu/utah4h/more/4-h-portfolios
This is probably your first time working for a paycheck, and it will be very rewarding to see your efforts translated to earnings. Make sure that your experience in this job only opens opportunities for your future. Try to become an employee that your employer wants to keep paying and make it easy for them to be a strong reference for future jobs. That means you need to show up on time, be dependable, do honest work, and maintain a strong work ethic.