My kids are growing into adults with a different world than I experienced as a teen and young adult.
As I prepare my teens for college and the workforce, and later living independently, I realize what they’re up against and the difficulties they face that I didn’t have to worry about in the mid-1990’s.
Some of the tips and practices I was taught haven’t much changed, but some tactics and methods are different. I didn’t have the resources we can find online to help me prepare as easily or research companies or positions or competitive salaries.
I haven’t worked for pay outside the home in almost twenty years and I realize how difficult it is for a middle-aged mom to find work with such a long gap in her résumé. I have a master’s degree. I know what I can and can’t do. I know I am teachable and intelligent and able. I know what my skills were and are and could be. But I don’t look great on paper and few are willing to take a chance. It’s more than simple ageism.
My husband retired from the US Air Force after twenty years, during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. He has a master’s degree. While that made things more complicated with online interviews, there were still unforeseen difficulties we didn’t expect. We assumed his military career in communications and medical laboratory would give him lots of opportunities in our metro area, but we soon realized there are not so many choices in our desired salary range. Some companies are not interested in hiring a veteran. Many lowball the pay for too much responsibility and undesirable hours. Some positions are contracts that make us nervous if they get cancelled or furloughed. We assumed the market would be wide open, but many posted positions close within a day, and so many seem to require personal connections we don’t have.
Two of my teens got part time jobs at age sixteen. One had to be coaxed and one was chomping at the bit to work. My other two teens aren’t especially interested in working at this time and we revisit goals and plans frequently.
I am a firm believer that kids shouldn’t have to enter the adult world until they have to or want to since it’s so very hard to go back. So many teens are exploited in the workplace, underpaid and overworked and they don’t realize their rights. Also, the economy the last decade or so has so many adults competing with teens for what used to be entry level jobs that teens are pushed out and have fewer options. I see many adults doing side gigs or full time jobs as nannies, pet sitters, house sitters, lawn care, and more – and these positions used to be traditional entries into the working world for older kids and teens. I have seen fewer companies willing to give inexperienced teens the opportunity for their first job so they can gain experience and learn.
How to Prepare for the Workforce
Résumé
So much has changed for résumés since I was in the workforce and looking for jobs. LinkedIn is a good place to begin and will propagate a lovely formated résumé from the input.
While I do possess résumé paper, most communication is online, so uploading or emailing pdf copies of résumés seems to be the norm now.
The required information seems to be similar, just more streamlined these days.
Objectives and cover letters seems to be optional, but are still a good idea to focus and personalize to each job you apply to.
Employers prefer experience listed in reverse chronological format. List the most recent job first. Specific dates are optional, it seems in some circumstances. My teens also listed volunteer positions they held.
Education is important, and obviously many teens or college students don’t have a lot to list here.
Special skills, honors, awards, memberships always look great.
Job Search
While so much is online, it’s still good to keep our eyes and ears open.
There are many sites dedicated to job searches and can be filtered for very specific needs.
Many teens find success working where they shop or visit, especially if there are perks like discounts. It never hurts to ask friends, aquaintances, or store employees if the store is hiring or will be hiring soon. There are seasonal and temporary jobs often, based on demand.
Interview Tips
I feel nothing much is changed with interviewing. We should still look our best and be prepared to answer difficult questions. For some jobs, there is often a phone interview prior to an in-person meeting.
Interviews are a good opportunity to learn about a company, supervisors, and employees. It’s great to ask questions of the interviewer and they owe you honest answers. It’s a two-way street!
It’s important to learn a little about the company and why you would want to work there, why you would be a great fit! Have a good elevator pitch to tell about yourself and your strengths and accomplishments.
Some interviews are very informal and just a formality prior to hiring while others are more in-depth. Often, it just depends on the interviewer and timing.
It’s important not to feel failure if a job isn’t offered on the spot. It’s good experience and not wasted time to have several interviews before finding a good job fit.
Paperwork
Most teens need a work permit in their state that can be acquired at their local high school. There are different child labor laws for different ages under eighteen.
When offered a position, there will be identification required and tax forms.
Benefits options should be provided and open for discussion.
Some companies have unions and it’s important to support those!
Never store anything on the company cloud accounts without having a backup. Don’t use company devices for any personal correspondence or documents.
Training
All training should be paid.
It’s never ok to be asked to come in for a free preview or on the job interview.
Most training is about a week-long for retail or restaurant. It’s a great time to ask questions or clarification on policy and protocol.
Hopefully, there are written training manuals, employee handbooks, and standard operating procedures.
It’s wise to be humble and teachable.
Exploitation
Teens and young adults need to know their rights in the workplace.
Even adults are exploited or find themselves in a position that is difficult and they are not in an easy position to leave or find another job, so they feel that they have to just take the abuse.
If businesses are unwilling to discuss or disclose pay increases, sick or personal leave options, that’s a red flag. If employees are not protected from harm or abuse from others, that’s a problem.
My teens have been sexually harrassed, had hours cut as punishment, had time off denied, been criticized about appearance, cussed and yelled at, and more.
My husband has been overloaded in positions without compensation or recognition for going above and beyond his job description. He has been micromanged to infinity and beyond by egotistical supervisors who felt threatened by his confidence and experience.
Sometimes, there seems to be a fine line between being assertive and being aggressive. Many supervisors can’t handle an employee who is confident or knowledgeable or kind.
Separation
I still feel it’s important to give a two-week notice when leaving a position. This is much for you to have a transition time as it is for the company to find a replacement. This also often helps with having a buffer in salary until your first pay at the new position.
My adult daughter was told to vacate her position immediately a few times after giving notice. I hated that and it showed the quality of those employers.
In some states, employers can terminate employees for any or no reason, at any time.
It’s important to document, document, document!
Write out a practice script, making the circumstances as neutral as possible, without placing or accepting blame. It can be something simple and vague like: “There was a difference in company policy interpretation.”
When I was in my mid-twenties, I lost five jobs in two years! It was a difficult time and I was very discouraged. It forced me to reevaluate my career and options. While it wasn’t easy for me to choose to homeschool my kids, it became the best choice and has been so rewarding and fulfilling these two decades.
Sometimes, a job transition forces us to reevaluate our goals and dreams, and look for new or different opportunities.
What are your job search tips?
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It’s funny that. We also had one that got a job very young and another that it took a long time. I think there was some anxiety at play, though not diagnosed….great tips. #SeniorSalonPitstop
These are good things to consider. You’re so right–the world my kids are growing up in is SO DIFFERENT than the one I grew up in. I also am a firm believer that teenagers shouldn’t have a job unless they want to. I’m an adjunct instructor, and for the last 2 years I’ve taught at a charter high school. I’ve been shocked at how many kids stress out about getting their homework in because they have school, an after-school club or activity, and work until 11pm (or something like that). I almost wish I could require that students who take my class can’t have an outside job. ha ha I just don’t think it works out very well for a lot of them. Thanks for sharing this post at the Will Blog for Comments #28 linkup. Hope to see you next week, too.
yes, I was an adjunct professor and high school teacher a long time ago. It’s so stressful for teens to juggle everything they’re expected to do!
This is great information. I am a high school counselor, and I have seen how different things are now. Thanks for sharing this information with everyone!
oooh, I think being a high school counselor is such an important job! Thank you for your service to teens!
Our boys were fortunate in that that the two that wanted jobs in high school/as teens were able to set them up through family or (in one son’s case) his high school. They have had GREAT job experiences, but I have one that is much more reluctant to find a job and at only 16 I do assure him he has time. But then when he rattles off the long list of things he’d like to buy I do remind him that jobs do come in handy for that!
yes, I often try to brainstorm with my kids how they could turn their passions into careers.
Stopping by again to say congratulations–this post was one of the most-visited at the Will Blog for Comments #28 linkup. It will be featured all week, starting today. If you like, you’re welcome to save the “This Blog Post was a Featured Favorite” image from there to share with your readers here. Hope to see you next week at #29, which opens Monday morning. Have a great weekend.
yay! Thank you so much!
These are great tips and insights. It’s amazing how much has changed when thinking of entering the workforce for the first time. Thank you for linking up with Happy Hearts & Homes, I hope to see you again this week.
Jen, this is a great article. What a wonderful resource you provided with a wealth of information.
Thank you so much for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends dear friend.