10 recommendations about exactly where to search and how to act on job interviews

Even in the best of times, teenagers face plenty of hurdles when they look forsummer time work opportunities. Would-be recruiters often worry that they’ll be undependable, late and generally flaky - and youngsters must convince prospective employers that they’re actually efficient and accountable.

This summer could be even more difficult for teens, though, because competition for jobs is expected to be so fierce. In many cases, teens will be going head to head against adults who have years of work experience behind them. And they’ll be doing so in a job industry that has fewer jobs out there.

A latest customer survey by SnagAJob.Com, an employment Website that connects people with hourly jobs, found that just about half of hourly hiring managers won’t be enrolling summertime employees this year. Even more ominous, 73 pct of hiring supervisors anticipate receiving more applications this summer than they did past summer from job searchers of all age groups.

Does this mean that young adults should abandon all hope of finding gainful employment this summer? Not at all! The following tips can assist.

1. Start searching now. Shawn Boyer, chief executive officer of SnagAJob.Com, said recruiters are already thinking about their approaching summer staffing concerns, even if we’re only in the month of April. A way to beat out at least some of the competitors is to start your job search early rather than waiting for the school year to end. &Quot;Consider telling them, ‘I can work 10 hours a week now, and then I can ramp up my hours after school gets out,’ " Boyer said.

2. Get the word out about yourjob search. Begin actively telling people that you’re looking for a work. Think about all the adults in your lifetime: your lecturers, guidance advisors and trainers, your family doctor and veterinarian, your parents’ buddies, your friends’ parents, and so on. This method could turn you on to job prospects.

3. Plan for a repeat performance. The questionnaire of more than A THOUSAND hiring executives revealed that 65 per-cent of their summertime staffs will consist of coming back again employees. If you had a job previoussummerand you didn’t absolutely dislike it, take into consideration reapplying once again this year. Your past employer will be interested in you because you’re already trained.

4. Be pro. Make certain that every little thing you include in your job application is spelled effectively and is free of grammatical errors. Don’t use all lowercase or all uppercase characters, Boyer recommended. Be sure the e-mail address you put down isn’t silly or distracting. The same holds true for the voice-mail prompt on your cellphone or home phone.

5. Do mock interviews in advance. A job interview can be a lot more difficult than you might think. To work out the jitters ahead of time, do a few practice job interviews with someone other than a friend or parent, Boyer recommended. &Quot;Practice with a guidance counselor, a teacher or a friend’s parent that you’re not that comfortable with so it will be more realistic," Boyer said.

6. Show some power. Employers who bring teenagers on board say they appreciate their enthusiasm and restlessness to do whatever it takes to get a task done. Display those characteristics on your job interview - and on the task, as well.

7. Get appropriately gussied. Dress nicely for your job interview, as if you were about to attend a religious service. Do this even if the clothing code for employees is casual. Absolutely remember to send a handwritten thank-you note after your interview - a step many adults routinely forget to take.

8. Play up your good points. Many teens show a trend to be hard on themselves and minimize their accomplishments. Keep in mind that a job interview is not the place to beat yourself up. Alternatively, emphasize flattering specifics about yourself, such as being an honor-roll pupil, juggling extracurricular activities and volunteering in the society. &Quot;List out in particular the leadership positions that you’ve held," Boyer said. &Quot;That helps to dispel the idea that teens aren’t responsible.&Quot;

9. Know where to look. As unsatisfactory asthe job market placeis right this moment, Boyer said these places are still open to hiring teens: fast-food restaurants; movie theaters; merchandising companies that stock shelves for retailers - American Greetings is looking for this sort of help, he noted - and health care facilities. &Quot;There are a wide range of positions in the health care sector that don’t require you to have a certain level of credentials," Boyer said. &Quot;There’s valet-parking people’s cars, working in a hospital gift shop, working in a cafeteria, being a receptionist.&Quot;

10. Think of working at a bank. If you’re at least 18, you also may be able to land a job as a bank teller. Bankers often need help over the summertime months when many of their staff members go on vacation, Boyer said - and he added that a bank job can look good on your application.