Teenager+parents=job success

“My eldest daughter Aimee got her first job at 14 and as parents we had to attend part of the induction session, which was a bit of a surprise.

Aimee also got some great experience when she was 15 working for Spotless at Clipsal – I applied with her too and got a job supervising a corporate box. It was so funny because in the group interview process we had to introduce ourselves and say why each other should get the job!"

We are often asked by our daughters’ friends and their parents to help them out with looking for a job.

AND you know what has really changed with getting an afterschool job?

It’s an opportunity to build on your relationship with your teenager; to spend time with them; to help them to understand what employment, job and career opportunities are available to them; and to demonstrate your belief in them - their skills, abilities and personality.

Helping your teenager with the job application process

Most major chain stores and franchises have an online application process where your teenager can register interest or search and apply for a specific job. Even if there aren’t any jobs currently available they can still apply and it will be kept on file for anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months depending on the company.

The steps generally involve filling in an online form with personal details, uploading a resume, answering questions about themselves and multiple choice situational questions. A couple of employers also include a career/personal preferences assessment too. All of this can take some time so allow about half an hour per online application plus preparation time for resume.

Having an up to date email address that is checked regularly is really important and this is often the first way that the employer will contact new applicants and advise of next steps or outcomes.

For those employers that do not have an online process or application form, dropping in a resume face to face is a great way to go. A 2-3 page resume is about right, set out well and on nice paper – or maybe even help your teenager choose paper with borders or decorations that reflects their personality.

Dress and personal presentation, as well as a clear voice, smile and eye contact are all important for the task of handing out the resume. Think about the time of the day, how busy the store or employer might be and what would be a convenient time to drop in.

Your teenager needs to be ready for the next step – the email, call or SMS text to advise of an interview – make sure their voice mail message is appropriate and clear.

For the interview, again, personal presentation is important, they need to take a copy of their resume and ask what other information the employer would like to see.

Evidence of their skills, talents and experiences can be captured online and added to using electronic tools such as Skillsbook for a skills profile and Mahara which is an e-portfolio where examples of work, projects, school results and other information can be stored.

So what’s changed with getting an after school job since we were young?

When my mum went for her first job in the 60’s, she heard through her aunty that the local hairdresser was looking for a junior to wash hair and clean up. Mum went into the hairdresser’s, which was in the same street as where she lived, saw the manager, had a 15 minute chat and was offered the job on the spot. No resume, no real interview, and she started working the next week doing after school Friday and all day Saturday.

When I applied for my first job in the late 80’s, I went into a local fast food outlet, filled in a job application form and had a quick chat to the manager on duty. I got a call (at home) soon after offering me a job as a service cashier and then later as the Birthday Party Coordinator.

In 2010 we see teenagers applying for jobs via the internet or email as the standard way to go, Gen Y targeted websites, online assessments, information/induction sessions for parents, skills profiles and e-portfolios.

If you want to help your teenager to find an after school job then you need to know what’s out there, how to help them with the search and what the steps are.

Start by making a list of possible employers with your teenager. Get them to search online and ask for a directory of stores from major shopping centres at their customer help desks. Where do they and the family like to shop, eat or spent their leisure time?

Take note that for most clothing and department stores and some supermarkets your teenager needs to be 15-16 years. For 14 year olds and above there are options including food businesses such as bakers, juice bars, yoghurt shops, ice creameries, sandwich, chocolate, donut and nut shops; fast food / take away outlets; newsagencies and supermarkets.

Think about the locations that would be preferable – close to home, on the way home from school, at a major shopping centre, or near your work to make it easier for younger teenagers who can’t drive and may have to be picked up or catch public transport.

Consider availability too as most employers will want to know is it just after school, til what time at night, what about weekends, public holidays and school holidays.

How will work fit in with school, homework, family, social life and other activities like sports, music, and dance? Emphasise the importance of work-life balance from the beginning of their career. This can be a good opportunity to work with your children, teaching them negotiation and time management skills as well as how to manage relationships with teachers and employers.

First blog ever

This is my first blog ever and I'm going to set a couple of rules:

1. I will not be over indulgent
2. I will protect the privacy of my family
3. I will write with a purpose and not because I think I have to fill up my blog
4. I will see how it goes...

Mostly I plan on blogging about things I do outside of my work - mini breaks, events, holidays, activities, reviews, thoughts and ideas.