Students Who Want a Summer Job Need a Good Battle Plan

Even as the school year ends, many secondary school students have yet another big assignment on their minds: finding a summer job.

In addition to providing income, summer employment can be educational. Students learn skills needed for future jobs and discover which fields of work are right (and wrong) for them. And it can help in choosing next year’s elective subjects more wisely.

Some kinds of summer work can also count as credit toward high school graduation. Working in food service and retail, for example, can be worth five or 10 credits.

But getting a summer job may be more difficult than in some recent years.

The continued economic slump means that many businesses have implemented layoffs or hiring freezes. And the recent riots affected tourism in the Los Angeles area, and many of the businesses that rely on it are bracing for a difficult summer.

Thus, some high school students who typically earned $5 to $5.50 per hour last year may find themselves competing with college graduates for $4.25-an-hour jobs.

So you need a battle plan.

First, narrow your focus by deciding what kinds of work you are willing to do.

Then think about your ultimate career goal. Are there summer jobs in that field?

Next check with family members and friends to see if they’ve heard of openings. Check your school’s career center for news of available jobs too.

Don’t overlook the newspaper’s classified ads--I’m told that many teen-agers do. Through them, you can pursue real jobs instead of calling cold (randomly calling businesses that may not even be hiring).

In fact, cold calling should be a last resort. The odds are against finding a job this way, and it wastes time that could be spent answering ads for real jobs.

But if you must cold call, try big businesses that traditionally hire large numbers of teen-agers, such as hotel and retail chains, and movie theaters.

Once you’ve drawn up a list of businesses to visit, pick up applications. Two crucial tips: Dress professionally (first impressions are important) and go alone (it shows independence and maturity).

Photocopy each application and fill in the copy before filling in the original. That way, you make all your spelling and spacing mistakes on the copy and the original can be perfect.

It’s best to attach a typed resume to your application too.

Start the resume by designating the specific job position you want. If it’s too generic, the employer may think you’re desperate and unfocused.

In the “experience” section of the resume, list any previous jobs you’ve held. If you have no experience, don’t worry--most employers don’t expect teen-agers to have much, if any.

In the “skills” section, list all skills or talents that could suit the job. Computer literacy and typing skills are most desirable. The “other experiences” section should contain any volunteering, clubs and school office monitor work you’ve done.

When you deliver the application and resume, dress just as well as you did when you first visited the business.

It’s impossible to give adequate advice about job interviews in a single article (there are whole books about it), but if you bring three letters of recommendation, you’ll have an edge.

Get a letter from a previous employer and one from a teacher in your best academic subject.

Get the third letter from an adult who can describe the personal traits that would make you a good worker. These include punctuality, follow-through, and the ability to take directions, criticism, and cooperate with other people.

Arriving for the interview on time--dressed conservatively, and without chewing gum or wearing heavy makeup--is also important.

In addition to these hints, make sure you use your school’s career center at every step. It’s your best bet for properly completing job applications, writing resumes, practicing interview techniques and arranging for school credit. It will also provide the necessary work permit if you’re under 16.

The Los Angeles County Office of Education puts out a detailed booklet that can help, “Job Finder’s Guide: How to Obtain and Advance in the Job of Your Choice.” Write to the office at 9300 Imperial Highway in Downey, 90242-2890. Mention Publication No. 91-2-11R, just to be safe.