Preparing Teenagers for their First Summer Job

Related Content

• The Teen Years

By Anne Marie Robichaud

A summer job experience can provide a lot more benefits to a teenager than earning extra money. Student employment offers teens an opportunity to gain valuable employment skills, foster responsibility, meet interesting people, and helps build their confidence. Regardless of the type of job your teen secures, general work experience will help your teen acquire knowledge, new skills, and maybe help them discover new talents as well.

Preparing for a first job can be a frightening experience for a young person. Recently, I chatted with some employers, job readiness Instructors and teens to see what parents can do to help their children prepare for their first job and overcome some common fears. Here are some suggestions:

• Talk to your teen about whether or not they feel ready to take on the responsibility of working a summer job. If your child does not feel ready or is not interested in having a job, then they won't be motivated to work. Negotiate a compromise with your teen - perhaps they can slowly move into the student job market by doing volunteer work to start or by working part time.
• For adults who have been out in the work force for many years, basic employment skills are something we take for granted - but if your teen has never held down a job before, those are skills that they have yet to acquire. Before your teen starts that first job, help him understand the importance of professional behaviour and a good work ethic - even at an entry-level or summer position. Discuss issues such as dress code, punctuality, confidentiality, attitude and workplace etiquette.
• Sit down with your child to discuss his interests. By now your teen may be starting to think about long-term education and job interests after high school. The good news is that many student and volunteer positions can help your teen acquire valuable and rewarding work experience that can assist them in making those important life decisions.
• If possible, try to include your child or teen in job shadowing or Bring Your Kid to Work days. The goal of job shadowing programs is to allow young people to explore various career options, observe professional conduct, and prepare them for today's work environment.
• Allow your teen to do their own job search and once hired let them be responsible for handling their job, for example, if your teen needs to call in sick, let them do the calling. As well, although employers understand that many teens depend on their parents for a ride to a job interview or work, they do not want well-meaning parents accompanying their child to an interview or interfering with the job. Parents should only become directly involved with their teen's employer if there is a safety hazard or if they feel their child is being harassed or discriminated against in the workplace.
• Provide opportunities for your teen to practice job finding and keeping skills at home. Run through role-playing activities such as mock job interviews to practice professional handshakes, making eye contact, and talking on the telephone.
• Learning how to prepare a covering letter, writing a resume, and preparing for a job interview are important skills needed for a successful job search. There are a lot of excellent resources in our communities to assist with job finding, a free program designed specifically for teens and summer students is at the Employment Centre for Students with Human Resources Development Canada.