<p>I'm looking into getting a part time job for either over the summer or for just the weekends. I just wanted some tips or advice since this is going to be my first time trying to get a job. Also, would you reccomend I start looking now or actually wait until the summer?
Thanks!</p>
<p>Look now!!! By the time summer actually comes all the jobs will be taken. I applied for jobs last year at the end of April and only one place called me back. </p>
<p>If you’re wondering, you don’t need a resume or anything, and you can apply to places even if they don’t say they’re hiring. Just walk into a store, restaurant, water park, etc. and ask if they hire people of your age. If they do, ask for an application, fill it out, and give it back. Apply to lots and lots of places because they won’t all call.
Also, be flexible…say you can work lots and lots of hours during the summer (if you could in theory). They probably won’t actually give you that many but I feel like that’s what helped me get hired where I did. They kept me around during the school year and I work on weekends now.
I don’t know if this is actually true, but people have told me you’re less likely to get hired at a chain place if you apply online, so I recommend walking in and asking for an application.</p>
<p>The best summer job is taking care of your neighbors’ dogs when the neighbors go on vacation. I literally earn money for playing with dogs.</p>
<p>If you want something more regular, try to get something in retail rather than fast food. Standing behind a counter and ringing up stuff is waaaaaay nicer than cooking fast food all day.</p>
<p>Thank you both!</p>
<p>How do I indicate on my application that I’ll be available for more hours during the summer?</p>
<p>They’ll be able to figure out that a 16/17 year old applying for a job in April is a high schooler who wants to work during the summer. The best leg up you can get is having your own car or reliable method of transportation. They really only need somebody who can show up when they need more bodies in the store/restaurant/whatever.</p>
<p>Also, the application typically asks you to indicate a date when you can start working.</p>
<p>Definitely now. Summer is only about two months away (depending on when you get off school), you don’t want to wait until june when the jobs are picked over and taken already.</p>