WHERE TO FIND JOBS FOR 17 YEAR OLDS

Updated 8/11/2014 - The great thing about jobs for 17 year olds is that you are now old enough to do most types of jobs. Only work that is deemed hazardous is off limits. Unlike the limitations on hours and other things for younger teenage workers, there are few jobs that seventeen year olds are now allowed to do. Listed below are some of the steps you can take to give yourself the best chance of getting hired:

Step #1
The first thing you can do is to go online and see what is available. The two websites listed below are all free to join and they can be used to find employers who are hiring in your area. If you have a resume (see step #2), you can submit it and then employers can see it and may contact you. Many employers now find all or most of their new employees online so you need to be actively searching at these three job search sites:

Snagajob – 100% free to sign up and they specialize in part time and hourly jobs. These are often exactly what a 17 year old is looking for.

Monster.com – 100% free to sign up and they have one of the biggest online job databases.

Step #2
At age seventeen, you should start to put together a resume even if you don't have too much job experience. If you have a resume to give prospective employers and submit online to the job sites, you will be a step ahead of many of your peers who are also looking for work. You can put down all the jobs you have had as well as any awards you might have won and any volunteer work you do. Even though you might not have much on your resume, just having one tells an employer that you are thinking towards the future and that is a good thing.

Step #3
If you have friends who have jobs, you should try to find out from them whether they like their jobs and whether there are any job openings. You should get all the information they can give you and perhaps even have them put in a good word for you. Use any friends and contacts you have to the best of your ability to give yourself the best chance of landing a job.

Step #4
Lastly, you should take your job search out on foot and scour your area for openings. You might stop in at all the places you might like to work and inquire about the possibility of getting hired. If you personally go in an introduce yourself, you will have the chance to make a good impression and let someone actually see who you are. If you don't have too high expectations and understand that you will face rejection, you will at least be able to find out first hand what jobs are available and what their requirements are. Managers and employers also like teens who take the initiative to come in and introduce themselves. If you have a resume you should drop it off at this time. You never know, if you make a good impression, when a job opening does come up the employer might just remember you and give you a call.



Monday, September 16, 2013

THE PAPER ROUTE IS OUT: BUT MAKING MONEY IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD ISN'T

Delivering newspapers was a job some of your parents might have had. But newspapers have died a slow death with the introduction of the Internet so the paper route as a job is no more.

But that doesn't mean you can't still find something in your neighborhood that will pay money. If you can't find a job anywhere else (meaning one that comes with a real paycheck), your best option is to get creative and knock on doors selling your services. Offer to do things like window washing, house cleaning, mowing, baby sitting, pet sitting, car washing, yard work, snow shoveling, and anything else you might be able to think of.

Many houses today have families where BOTH parents work. That means there is less time for them to do all the types of chores that still need to be done. Chances are that if you charge reasonable rates and do a good job, you WILL be able to make some money. You will have to be persistent and even if you get turned down at a house, be gracious. Explain that even though the person might not have anything for you to do at this time, you will be available in the future if you are needed.

When you do get hired to do something, make sure you do the absolute best job you can because neighbors talk and will recommend you to others. It cuts both ways though and if your work isn't up to par, news will spread not to hire you too. Your top of the line work speaks volumes and can be your calling card. Believe me, people in neighborhoods are nosy and if you do a good job at a good price, people will find out. And that will mean more work for you!