If you are considering jobs for high school students, you must be ready to tweak your schedule appropriately, and manage your time effectively. Getting a job while in high school means having a tight schedule, going from classes to extracurricular activities, to work, and having late nights doing homework or even having to put in extra work on weekends to make sure you are on schedule, which may lead to burnout. But, it’s not as bad as it sounds, considering all the skills and income you’ll gain, and most importantly being able to add your experience to your resume.
Getting and keeping a job while in high school can be a formidable task. Between balancing classes and homework, a work schedule, extracurricular activities, and leisure time can be challenging. However, numerous high school students have proved that juggling a job among other responsibilities is possible. Although getting a job while in high school, especially if you’ve never had one before, may be difficult due to high unemployment rates across the job market, the good news is that there are tons of jobs for high school students. However, to land one of these jobs, there are a couple of things that you should consider doing to improve your chances of getting hired. Additionally, depending on the state you live in and the respective labor laws, you’ll be required to fill in some work-related paperwork to determine your eligibility for employment.
1. Benefits of getting a job while in high school
2. Job hunting tips for high school students
3. Examples of jobs for high school students
4. Tips for parents and teachers
Jobs for high school students are among those topics that spark mixed reactions. Agreed, there are many aspects which ought to be considered in this matter, but the fact remains that the pros outweigh the cons. For instance, one of the major issues regarding this topic is the fear that students will put in more effort or time into work rather than their studies which could lead to poor performance in school. But, the key to succeeding at juggling school and work is to have proper time management skills, as well as opting for less intensive part-time jobs. Listed below are some of the benefits of having a job while in high school:
Improves their chances of getting into college
Generally having a job while in high school demonstrates the student’s enthusiasm and aptitude for the field of study they are interested in, making their application more desirable to college acceptance committees. However, to do this, you need to look for opportunities that align with your field of interest. For instance, if you are interested in social work, you could join volunteer programs to help you build the relevant skills required in that field.
Income
In most cases, the reason why many high school students choose to have jobs is so that they can contribute to their family’s income, save up for college, or save up to pay off student loans. Whatever the reason, getting a job in your teens helps you make more money than you would have otherwise. Additionally, earning an income in their teen years boosts confidence during adulthood, and allows them to develop money management skills.
Learn how to budget
Students who start earning their own money develop budgeting skills early on, which inhibits them from being frivolous with their hard-earned cash. Additionally, students making their own money remove some of the financial burden off their parents.
Time management
High school students who are working while still managing other responsibilities tend to develop time management skills. Ultimately, these students become great planners and thrive in fast-paced environments, especially when it comes to meeting deadlines. Additionally, they become adept at prioritizing tasks to ensure they finish their responsibilities, which prepares them for life after school.
Work experience
Although having a solid GPA and SAT scores are essential to get students into college, demonstrating that you are a well-rounded individual guarantees you a spot in college also. Additionally, with the high demand for work due to the crowded job market and limited jobs, having some work experience sets you apart from the other candidates when you start applying for jobs after school.
Provides an opportunity to network and Learn
Working while in high school gives you a chance to meet people in your field of interest as well as to create professional networks, who may come in handy once you complete school and are seeking your dream job. Additionally, it is an opportunity to learn and develop your skills as well as figure out a career that you’d be interested in pursuing. Additionally, you’ll learn to be independent and self-confident.
You need to consider the following questions if you’re looking for a job while in high school:
Once you’ve considered these aspects in your job search and have arrived at the right conclusion with the help of your teachers or parents, then you can shortlist the roles that meet these criteria and begin your job search. Follow the tips below to make your job hunting even more successful:
1. Do online job searches
Go through local job websites or use job search engines to look for part-time job listings in your town.
2. Apply for several jobs at once
It’s advisable to apply to as many jobs as possible instead of waiting for a response from just one position. Ensure you spend as much time as possible applying for jobs and following up on your applications by calling or emailing the companies you applied to.
3. Revamp your resume
Although recruiters may not need your resume considering you may not have adequate information to put on it, it can be an excellent strategy to help you stand out from the competition. Additionally, having a resume demonstrates that you are serious in your job search.
4. Be conversant with labor laws
Your age determines your employability, your working schedules and the types of jobs you can do. Consider checking the child labor laws of your region. Generally, people below the age of 18 are considered children. It would be wise to check the exceptions to minimum age requirements before you apply to a job position. Additionally, be aware of the restrictions for employees when it comes to the hours you can put in work per day or per week during the school year, and during the summer. All this information is contained in the child labor laws of the region you live in.
5. Don’t limit yourself
Well, we all dream of getting white collar jobs, but it’s harder than it sounds. Considering you are a young job seeker, it may be even harder. Therefore, have an open mind, consider the fact that you may get a job doing something that you are not passionate about. Consider the fact that the more flexible you are, the more job opportunities you’ll have.
Additionally, flexibility in your availability increases your chances of getting a job offer. Ensure you have worked out the hours you are available to avoid interfering with your school or other responsibilities. Additionally, tell people that you are looking for a part-time job, chances are the majority of these jobs aren’t advertised. And the more people you inform, the higher your chances of getting a job.
6. The closer the better
It’s better to get a job closer to home by working for your neighbors or friends. Consider this an excellent opportunity to start building your pool of professional references, which will come in handy when you start applying for other jobs.
7. Seek advice
The guidance office at your school is always the best place to start. The staff should be able to provide you with the relevant job search advice and job listings. Additionally, they can offer other fundamental information about where to look for job listings or internship opportunities. Also, the school guidance office can assist you to get the right employment/age certificates, if they are applicable in your region, considering these requirements vary from state to state. However, it’s essential to get this certificate before starting your job search to make the process easier.
8. Dress the part
The job hunt is all about making the right impression, and the way you dress says a lot about you. You want to appear professional to increase your chances of getting hired.
9. Enroll in a volunteer program
On the downside, it won’t get you a paycheck, but it’s the best way to add experience in your resume which is what employers are looking for from candidates.
1. Babysitter
Babysitters are generally responsible for watching kids, playing with them, keeping them safe and ensuring they stick to their routines while their parents are away. A certificate in CPR increases your chances of getting a babysitting job. Referrals, references, and recommendations play a vital role in obtaining new babysitting jobs.
2. Barista
Baristas serve coffee, among other varieties of beverages, to customers.
3. Animal shelter worker
Duties include assisting in the euthanasia of unwell animals, spending time with animals and cleaning cages.
4. Car wash attendant
Although the majority of car washes are automated currently, most of them still require people to guide the cars onto the tracks and ring people up. However, in some companies, you may be required to wash and dry the exterior of cars physically.
5. Camp counselor
Typically, camp counselors are responsible for offering assistance in the planning and leading of camp activities with groups of kids, regardless of the type of camp it is (e.g. wilderness camps, sports camps or academic camps).
6. Retail job
Duties include finding items and answering customer questions, working the cash register, setting up displays, and ensuring the store looks good.
7. Grocery store staff
There are tons of roles to choose from as grocery store staff, from stocking shelves, bagging groceries, cleaning to operating the cash register. The pay usually depends on your role.
8. Landscaper/Lawn Care
Lawn care duties vary but generally revolve around mowing lawns, raking leaves, trimming hedges and other tasks that involve keeping a yard clean.
9. Delivery worker
Duties include food delivery from local restaurants to residential areas promptly. Alternatively, newspaper deliveries to the local subscriber.
10. Fast food worker/ Restaurant waiter/waitress
Duties include taking orders, answering menu related questions, preparing food, ringing them off and customer service. Additionally, you may be responsible for stocking and storing food items, cleaning duties, and light office work.
11. Busser
Bussers are busboys and bus-girls responsible for cleaning after customers in restaurants.
12. Call center representative
Responsibilities for call center representatives include answering questions through phone calls, emails and messaging. Employers typically provide on-the-job training which is an added advantage.
13. Personal assistant services
Duties range from running errands, walking dogs, wrapping gifts, among other responsibilities.
14. Tutor
Duties can include helping other students to improve their reading or math skills. The more experienced you are, the higher the income you make.
15. Catering coordinator
Duties can range from answering phone inquiries to helping prepare food to making deliveries across town.
16. Warehouse and distribution
Duties include loading and unloading inventory in warehouses and distribution centers.
17. Web designing
This role involves web designing or web development for clients. However, you need to possess the right technical skills to thrive in this role.
18. Gas station attendant
Depending on where you live, gas station attendants fuel station dispensers and equipment, pump gas, handle the register and stock shelves.
19. Lifeguard/swim instructor
Duties include keeping watch over the pool, lake or ocean to ensure everyone stays safe and out of harm’s way.
On the other hand, the duties of swim instructors include coaching on swimming techniques, diving, breathing or different types of swimming strokes.
20. Mover/packing and moving services
Duties include packing boxes, loading furniture and tables into a truck.
Although working while in high school may be difficult on the student, and negatively affect his/her school performance, parents and teachers can create a framework that ensures students thrive. There is no secret that jobs for high school students establish the foundation of skills which are vital not only for getting into college but also in the job market. Therefore, it’s essential to nurture and guide students to make the employment venture a success academically and professionally. So, how can parents and teachers help students to thrive?
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