Sixteen year old girl looking for summer job... advice?

[Anonymous]

DD is finishing her sophomore year and hoping to find a full or part time summer job. She made a cover letter and “resume” — obviously it is pretty short! — and has walked around in Old Town Alexandria and Del Ray dropping it off in retail stores, but so far, no bites. She is hoping for a retail job rather than babysitting-type work. Does anyone have any tips for how a girl her age can find work, other than continuing to pound the pavement?

[Anonymous]

Suggestion for the futire--start much earlier. My DS lined up his summer job in March. County park. Most camp counselor jobs are probably set now too.

As for retail, I would suggest fast food. Probably more in demand than cutesy old town shops.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD is finishing her sophomore year and hoping to find a full or part time summer job. She made a cover letter and “resume” — obviously it is pretty short! — and has walked around in Old Town Alexandria and Del Ray dropping it off in retail stores, but so far, no bites. She is hoping for a retail job rather than babysitting-type work. Does anyone have any tips for how a girl her age can find work, other than continuing to pound the pavement?

Del Ray cafe is hiring hostesses. The one there this morning looked no older than 16. They had a sign on the door. Tell her to go today while it’s atill available!

[Anonymous]

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Look for signs in the window or go on line to the big chain stores and see if they are hiring -- GAP in Old Town is hiring sales associates according to their website. Also, Starbucks on King St. is hiring baristas. There are also 4 zillion lawyers in Old Town, she might be able to get a job answering phones, goffering, etc.

[Anonymous]

Summer camps, call day care centers - I always got a job just cold calling as they usually wanted a fill in/aide, look at the county - MoCo is advertising they are needing summer pool help (cashiers).

[Anonymous]

Most retail jobs want you to fill out an application not bring a resume. She should look at subway or McDonald’s. I think everyone should have a job in the service industry before graduating high school. People would be much more polite.

[Anonymous]

Tell her to get her lifeguard certification - pools are always looking for guards. Or, start working at the summer snack bars .
Big places like Old Navy might be more likely to hire a new worker but a small business might not want to take the risk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Summer camps, call day care centers - I always got a job just cold calling as they usually wanted a fill in/aide, look at the county - MoCo is advertising they are needing summer pool help (cashiers).

MoCo pools require unreasonable things to be hired as a lifeguard and I think they pay less, best to try a private pool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look for signs in the window or go on line to the big chain stores and see if they are hiring -- GAP in Old Town is hiring sales associates according to their website. Also, Starbucks on King St. is hiring baristas. There are also 4 zillion lawyers in Old Town, she might be able to get a job answering phones, goffering, etc.

I would not have a 16 year old working for a lawyer.. And Starbucks isn’t going to hire a 16 year old to be a barista. Those Starbucks barista jobs come with benefits and they can be pretty competitive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Suggestion for the futire--start much earlier. My DS lined up his summer job in March. County park. Most camp counselor jobs are probably set now too.

As for retail, I would suggest fast food. Probably more in demand than cutesy old town shops.

Some kids will quit their jobs shortly after they start so it’s not a bad idea to apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Summer camps, call day care centers - I always got a job just cold calling as they usually wanted a fill in/aide, look at the county - MoCo is advertising they are needing summer pool help (cashiers).

Here it is: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec/Resources/Files/AQpreliminaryapp.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Summer camps, call day care centers - I always got a job just cold calling as they usually wanted a fill in/aide, look at the county - MoCo is advertising they are needing summer pool help (cashiers).

Here it is: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec/Resources/Files/AQpreliminaryapp.pdf

I think the OP.is in Old Town.

[Anonymous]

Have her apply as a hostess. Minimum paperwork, usually no resume or cover letter and the might keep there right away if they are missing one or if she can start "training" right away.

[Anonymous]

Does she plan to keep the job beyond the summer? Starbucks wouldn't hire my 19 year old last summer because she had to return to college and they invest too much time in training to bother with a summer hire.

A lot of places prefer 17 and 18 year olds if they hire teens for summer jobs at all. Try Harris Teeter, an AMC movie theater, or an ice cream shop. She can't afford to be too picky.

I'm concerned about my 16 year old's job prospects because he'll be gone for a few weeks this summer, and won't be able to manage a job once senior year starts due to other obligations. We didn't see any county park jobs open to 16 year olds.that would be feasible for him to drive to on a daily basis.