On-the-Job Primer

Answers to Questions about Searching for Work

The following are questions and experiences you might face as a new job hunter or as someone who is currently on-the-job. The answers will help you understand and navigate the work environment.

If you have a question about work that you would like answered, please visit the Ask the Author page to find out more information about how to submit your question.

Q. Considering that our country may be in a recession, and there is a lot of talk about the difficulty of getting summer jobs, what advice do you have for teens looking for summer or part-time work?

A. Changes in the economy always present challenges to those seeking employment. However, there are always some fields and types of jobs that are open to new employees, even in tough economic times. The key is to be open-minded about different types of work and to take advantage of all job search options there are available.

For example, today there are many positions in health care and technology. If you have good computer skills, you may find great opportunities in many fields. Try applying to medical offices, small and large businesses of all types, and don't forget large department stores who almost always have openings.

Make sure you know all the ways to search for work:

Study the classified section of your local newspaper.
Speak with your school guidance counselor about possible opportunities in the community.
Check out the various teen job sites in the "Career Resources" section of this website.
Develop a resume of your school / past work or volunteer experience and send it out to various organizations in which you would like to work
Don't be afraid to contact organizations directly about their summer hiring plans - Be assertive!
Remember to dress appropriately for any type of interview - no jeans or revealing blouses or sweaters.
If you are offered a job you're not too crazy about, or feel is beneath you, you may want to try it out for at least awhile. If you work well, you may be given more experience, and no matter what job you have, you learn important skills in dealing with people in the workplace.

Q. A parent asks -

My daughter was interested in possibly joining the Peace Corps as she had heard that by volunteering w/ the Peace Corps, she would not only enjoy the benefits of the work she would be doing with them, but she understood that like joining the military, she would gain $ for college tuition for her efforts. Since then, I checked into the Peace Corps to find that is not how they operate. Do you know of any voluntary organization she could join just out of high school similar to the Peace Corps- that would provide her with $ for college?

A. Following is some information that I hope will help you and your teen in her decision to do some type of voluntary work after high school. Based on the Peace Corps website, it appears that there are some financial benefits when one joins the Peace Corps. They include some pay and living expenses depending on the community where the volunteer will live and work. In addition, volunteers can defer repayment of student loans under several federal programs, and the volunteer will receive $6,000 when it is time to transition back home. This money can be used as you wish. The issue with the Peace Corps is that it is a 27 month commitment, and although they accept volunteers beginning at age 18, most of their volunteers have at least some college. You can find out much more information by checking their website at: http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.whovol. The site has a section entitled “Financial Benefits” that details the pay information.

In terms of other voluntary organizations, you might also want to check out

Cross-Cultural Solutions. This organization is similar to Peace Corps, but the volunteer need only give from 1 to 12 weeks at a time. It is an independent organization – not federally funded, but has many of the same characteristics as the Peace Corps. I spoke to one of their representatives, and she noted that while Cross Cultural Solutions will pay for housing and food, there was no allowance toward college tuition. There are “internship” programs with Cross Cultural Solutions, and sometimes colleges will accept credits from the internship. A student would choose the field he or she would like to work in, and they would place the student in a particular type of work program.

Finally, there is a great web resource that is actually a guide to many Internship, Apprenticeships and Volunteer Opportunities. It is called the Riley Guide. Here, you can find information on numerous programs and read about their specific entitlements. There are obviously many different types of volunteer / internship programs open to high school grads and college students.

Q. What would be the better choice - take a volunteer job that will give me some experience for my career, or accept the part-time position on weekends and after school that doesn't have much to do with my career choice?

A. This can be a challenging decision as you look forward to embarking on further studies in your career, yet want to make some money. Ideally, it is always best to obtain a part-time or summer job that will match your career interests. This is one way for you to test your career choice and be sure it is something that is appropriate for you. However, as a teenager, it may be challenging to find a part-time or summer job that meets this need.

One question you need to answer is how much you need the funds from a part-time job. Will it mean a lot to you to have your own income, however small? Will the part-time job be your first experience in the workplace? Will the volunteer opportunity still be available if you decide you want to take it after a few months of working? Will the job be available in the future, for example, in the summer, after you have done some volunteer work? Can you fit in your schedule both volunteer work and work for pay?

I know these are a lot of questions, but they can help you make your decision. The important thing for you to consider, however, is how much the volunteer work will help you understand and prepare for your future career. Volunteer work in an organization that will help you gain a full understanding of your career interest is very important. Many times, teens think they want to have a certain career, only to find out when they begin to volunteer in that field that it really doesn't suit them. On the other hand, volunteering in an organization that will expose you to your future career may give you new insight that will make you want it even more. Volunteer work also gives you experience in the workplace, even if you don't make any money doing it. You have to follow the same rules as employees, and will have to interact with managers and co-workers in a responsible and professional manner.

It would be ideal if you can work part-time, and still find time to fit in some volunteer work. However, this is a tall order when you are still in school. You don't want to forget the important need to spend time on homework, and getting good grades. So, if you don't really need the money right now, the volunteer work may be the right choice.

Q. I'm a 17 year old girl going on my first interview for a part-time job in a store in the mall. How should I dress?

A. When you go on any job interview, you need to dress appropriately. If the interview is for a job in a large business, you would need to wear a suit (skirt, blouse and blazer). When interviewing for positions in retail stores, you may not need to be as formal, but you should wear a nice skirt, blouse and blazer, or skirt and sweater top. You can also wear a tailored pants suit. Remember that the skirt should not be too short, nor the sweater or blouse revealing. The first thing that a manager will notice when you walk in the door is how you dress. You can certainly be stylish, but err on the conservative side.

Once you get the job, take your cues on dressing from your manager, and the rest of the staff. If you see most of the staff wearing pants and sweaters, its probably okay for you to wear them as well. If you are in doubt, ask your manager about the dress code. Many times a manager will tell you the dress code.

A rule of thumb is this: Always look professional when going on a job interview, and always look and be professional on the job!

Q. As a teen, is it best to look for a job on the internet or use more traditional ways such as looking in newspapers or calling businesses?

A. There are many ways to look for a job today, and a teenager can and should use the many available options to find a job. The internet has numerous jobs search sites for teens and you can access some of the largest sites by clicking on the career resources section of this website. In addition, don't forget all of the more traditional ways you can search for work: (1) checking listings for part-time or summer work in your local newspapers, (2) contacting local businesses directly, either by phone, or by sending a resume to the store manager, (3) networking with your friends or friends' families by asking them if they are aware of anyone or anyplace that is hiring, and (4) checking with teachers and / or guidance staff on job resources in the local community. Some schools may have set-up opportunities for internships in the business community.

As you search for work, remember to always keep looking until you receive a firm job offer. Sometimes young people are interviewed and told they probably will be hired. If that happens, ask the employer when you can expect a firm job offer. If the offer is expected within a few days, it is okay to wait. You should also follow-up with the employer if you don't hear from him or her. However, if the promise of a job is more vague, don't stop looking. What may seem promising may not provide you with that job you had hoped for. So, don't give up looking until you are sure it's a sure thing.

Q. Before getting a job, why do you have to give personal information like your social security number on the job application?

(Alfonzo, Massachusetts)

A. This is a very good question. Employers ask for a candidate's social security number for two reasons: (1) It is a person's unique identifier. Your social security number is unique to you, and therefore if the employer wants to verify past employment or school graduation records, checking your name against your social security number will ensure they are identifying the correct individual. (2) A person's social security number is also a Tax ID#. In order to get paid by an employer, you must have a social security card. Federal, State and Local taxes are calculated based on your salary, and sent to the taxing authorities. Even if someone comes from another country to work in the U.S. for the summer with a valid work visa, he or she must go down to the social security office to obtain a social security number. This number is then registered with the employer, and the person's income is taxed accordingly, with the social security number serving as the unique identifier for that person.

Please remember to secure your social security card in a safe place, and be cautious about how it is used. Employers must have your social security number, and certain other institutions such as health insurance companies. As your unique identifier, you must protect it, so that your identity is not stolen. Identity theft can be very difficult to rectify if it occurs.