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Getting your first summer job can be a daunting task. Teenagers often find the process a bit intimidating and tend to stall and procrastinate the process. If you have an older brother or sister the task can be as easy as going and talking to his or her boss about your availability and interest in a job working at the same place. If the older brother or sister is a good worker then you can bet that the employer will be interested in you as well. If not, well, look elsewhere.

Getting a job requires that you do several things:

1. Get out and pound the pavement. Go into stores and businesses in your area and ask if they are hiring and if you can have an application. Do not assume that because there is no help wanted sign that they are not hiring. Often they are but do not put out a sign

2. Fill out the applications immediately and get them back to the employer before they hire someone else first. Getting jobs is often about being the first acceptable employee prospect who applies. This is especially true for part time and summer type workers.

3. Fill out the application neatly and completely. Bring all the information that you are going to need when you go out looking for jobs. Finding places to apply to is often a result of opportunities that you discover by getting out and walking into places. Having the information with you allows you the chance to fill out an application right then and there. Bring your reference information, your address and phone information and anything else that will likely be on a job application.

4. When you fill out the application do not just hand it in. Ask to see the boss. Right then and right there. Speaking to the boss gives you an immediate chance for a decision. Impress the boss immediately and you will get hired immediately. Leave your application without talking to the boss and you risk being forgotten.

5. If the boss is not there find out when the boss will be and return then. Do not skip this step. It is the absolute key to getting employed. Speak to the boss. Do not let yourself get brushed off.

6. Start early and often. The earlier the better. Every teen is out looking for work when school is out. Start earlier than that and you might get a jump on your competition. Go out every day that you can and visit businesses and stores. Big retailers hire lots of people constantly. Visit those places early enough before they get swamped with applications.

Follow these tips and you will have the absolute best chance of finding summer employment.

Learn more about this author, Joseph Mohr.
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