My dad was big into summer jobs. As kids, he insisted that we were gainfully employed by the age 14. It’s not that we were scraping by to get a meal on the table. It’s more that he couldn’t stand seeing us parked in front of the television for six hours only peeling ourselves off the couch for food or bathroom breaks. My older sister actually had to go downtown to get a court order to be allowed to work at Jack-In-The-Box – a job that to this day still makes her a little skittish around clowns.

As much as we hated flipping burgers, scooping ice cream or sweeping floors, I do think it helped instill a good work ethic early on. Today, summer jobs can be a little harder to come by. In this sagging economy, teens are now competing with older, more qualified candidates for entry-level work. Still, parents should not fall for the “nobody will hire me” line. There is a job out there for any pimple-faced teenager. They may just need a little help from Mom and Dad to land that first summer gig. Here are few tips:

Think Outside of the Bun
Okay, I stole this line… but, summer jobs do not have to be limited to fast food. Teenagers should consider the age old question, “What do I want to do when I grow up?” Recognizing that this will change from week to week – tap into their current interests, and have them seek a job in a related field. If your teen is really into animals – check out a zoo or a veterinarian. If they are interested in health care – hospitals may be a great spot for part-time entry level work. If your kid is more of an entrepreneur, encourage him to be his own boss through a landscaping business or pet sitting service. For inspiration, check out the winners of TCU’s Texas Youth Entrepreneur of the Year program at www.tcuyeya.org.

Network
Encourage your kids to talk up the fact that they are looking for summer work. This is a great way for them to reach out to the adults in their life: family members, teachers, coaches, doctors, your friends and friends of friends. This process can assist your teen in landing something that would be not only interesting, but also good on the ol’resume.

Do Your Homework
I can hear the collective groan from teenagers on this one. They just got disentangled from their school desks and may not be too thrilled about the prospect of more homework. Still, they need to research the current job market. Who is hiring? What jobs are they qualified for? Are there any job fairs in the area? Homework also involves making sure the resume is in tip-top shape. Highlight school activities or any volunteer work. If grades or good, include your GPA. Employers are not going to expect you to be a Rhodes Scholar. Teens simply need to demonstrate responsibility and trustworthiness in a well-rounded resume.

Mind Your Manners
The interview is the key. Being at your best during the interview process will make or break the job opportunity. Here are some dos and don’ts:

Do…

• give good eye contact.
• dress appropriately and professionally
• be yourself. Demonstrate positive, upbeat energy.
• be honest. Don’t pretend to have more experience than you really do.
• write a thank you note and follow-up after the interview.

Don’t…

• wear flip-flops or shorts. I know they are in fashion, but not appropriate for an interview.
• chew gum or wear too much perfume or make-up. That can be distracting during an interview.
• say “like” and “you know” fifteen times in one sentence. A sure turn-off will be “Like, I really want the job, you know. Like, it would be so cool you know. Like, I think it would be awesome.” Consider doing a role-play with your teen and have a buzzer on hand anytime the word “like” or “you know” spills out.

Although you want your teen to take the initiative, there is no reason why you can’t lend a hand along the way. They are looking to you as the role model and could really benefit from your contacts, your insights and your past experiences. I can’t wait to tell my son about the time I charged a customer for 500 coffees or when I forget to put a banana in a banana split. It’s good for them to know that you were once out there, pounding the pavement, making mistakes, but, still getting your feet wet in the grown-up world.