The Top 10 Skills That'll Get You a Job

With so many graduates now on the market, employers will look for evidence of skills and work experience which will make you stand out from the crowd. Start gathering them now, so you are ready to impress recruiters.

 

Graduate employers place a lot of emphasis on finding candidates with the right skills and competences for their organisations. Depending on the sector and profession you choose to work in, there could be very specific skills, abilities and knowledge needed to do the job. However, complementing these are general competences and behaviours that are essential for successful working. These are often overlooked by candidates, but they are the things recruitment professionals want to see evidence of.

1. Commercial awareness (or business acumen): This is about knowing how a business or industry works and what makes a company tick. Showing that you have an understanding of what the organisation wants to achieve through its products and services, and how it competes in its marketplace.


2. Communication: This covers verbal and written communication, and listening. It's about being clear, concise and focused; being able to tailor your message for the audience and listening to the views of others.


3. Teamwork: You'll need to prove that you're a team player but also have the ability to manage and delegate to others and take on responsibility. It's about building positive working relationships that help everyone to achieve postive goals and business objectives.


4. Negotiation and persuasion: This is about being able to put forward your way, but also being able to understand where the other person is coming from so that you can both get what you want or need and feel positive about it.


5. Problem solving: You need to display an ability to take a logical and analytical approach to solving problems and resolving issues. It's also good to show that you can approach problems from different angles.


6. Leadership: You may not be a manager straight away, but graduates need to show potential to motivate teams and other colleagues that may work for them. It's about assigning and delegating tasks well, setting deadlines and leading by good example.


7. Organisation: This is about showing that you can prioritise, work efficiently and productively, and manage your time well. It's also good to be able to show employers how you decide what is important to focus on and get done, and how you go about meeting deadlines.


8. Perseverance and motivation: Employers want people to have a bit of get-up-and-go. Working life presents many challenges and you need to show employers that you're the kind of person who will find a way through, even when the going gets tough... and stay cheerful-ish.


9. Ability to work under pressure: This is about keeping calm in a crisis and not becoming too overwhelmed or stressed.


10. Confidence: In the workplace you need to strike the balance of being confident in yourself but not arrogant, but also have confidence in your colleagues and the company you work for.

There are certain words which are key to catching an employer's interest. Mention them in your CV and at interviews and see how impressed they are with your business-speak (but don't go overboard or you'll sound daft).

• initiative


• dynamic


• teamplayer


• proactive


• self-motivated

You can also talk in terms of actions that you achieve through your skills by using good, strong verbs in applications and interviews:

• led


• achieved


• completed


• co-ordinated


• delegated


• delivered


• identified


• presented


• promoted


• reported


• resolved


• organised

• Make the most of university life and extra-curricular activities to develop your general skills.


• Plan early to get relevant work experience and voluntary work which will give you transferables that will make you work ready: have something lined up for each vacation, and get ready for formal placement and internship applications at the beginning of your second year.


• Religiously record the skills you gain and work experience activities you do so that you can pull out good examples on applications and in interviews.


• Network! Use family, friends and contacts to get work experience and to find out more about career areas that interest you.


• Visit your university's careers service: find out whether it runs any employability skills sessions; sign up for relevant courses and workshops; get help from a careers adviser to write a CV that really showcases your competences and abilities.


• Take advantage of careers fairs and employer presentations: talk direct to recruiters to find out what they look for.


• Always do your homework before applying for jobs. Employer research will help you identify the skills and competences a particular organisation places most emphasis on. In turn, you can tailor your application so that it stands out

 

11 Ways of Making Quick Cash @ University

Ideas to help you seek out opportunities to earn money quickly, whether you need yo fund a cheap night out, or you're saving to fund a holiday, gap year or accommodation deposit.

With deposits for accommodation and travel costs for trips home in the holidays taking their toll on bank balances, many students end up strapped for cash at different points in the year.

Sure, summer jobs and internships can provide a solid source of income, but here are some options and ideas for earning some ready money, fast – and you'll add some extra work experience oomph to your CV at the same time.

Shop for jobs locally

First of all, check out your university jobshop. These invaluable resources are usually attached to the careers service (or sometimes, the Students' Union) and offer a whole host of temporary, ad hoc or part-time work, typically with local employers.

Most jobshops have a website where you can search for vacancies and they may also have a regular newsletter that you can sign up to, to keep you informed about the latest vacancies. Even if you’re not in the market for work now, find out where your university's jobshop is in case money gets tight in future. Also, although job vacancies advertised here would expect you to have very little work experience, its always helpful to brush up on job interview skills in case competition is stiff from other cash-strapped students.

Even if you’re not in the market for work now, find out where your university's jobshop is in case money gets tight in future.

If you have more time to spare and can make a regular commitment, check local pubs, clubs and shops for spare shifts. Nursing homes and residential centres are often in need of staff too, which is excellent experience for those looking to go into careers in social care or the healthcare professions.

Find work on campus - take part in research studies or help out with admin duties

Keep your eyes open as you wander around campus too. Notice boards in corridors can hide a whole host of job opportunities.

Psychology departments often look for human 'guinea pigs' to help test out theories and experiments. You might have to commit a bit of time and make a return visit or two but it's often easy money for little effort – particularly if you have a department that runs sleep experiments! Similarly, other science departments such as food or sports may be on the lookout for volunteers.

The admin department of your university could be a good bet. Jobs can come up at times when they’re stretched, involving tasks such as data entry, envelope filling and mailing out of prospectuses. The alumni association is also worth a try as they sometimes require current students to make calls to graduates to solicit donations to the university. These are great opportunities to develop your office admin and telephone skills, which are employer-friendly additions to your CV.

You could approach the Student Union. They may take on students to help with promoting events at the union, posting flyers and sticking up posters around campus. Sometimes these roles will be paid; at other times you’ll be offered free tickets, which, if you were planning to go along anyway, can save you a fair bit of cash.

Sell your knowledge and English skills: try tutoring

If your English skills are up to par, you could always offer your services proofreading essays for international students for a small fee. On a similar note, you could consider tutoring your degree subject to GCSE and A level students. This can also help you in revising and explaining the basics of your subject area: handy if exams are fast approaching, and also good for graduate jobs interviews where a good understanding of the fundamentals of your subject can go a long way.

Market research and sales

Participate in market research. You may come across the occasional opportunity on campus but the internet is the place to go to find opportunities. As with anything online, take some care to make sure it’s genuine. A quick internet search can prevent you from getting burned – there are plenty of forums and discussion boards where you can find out if the opportunity really is too good to be true.

For something longer term, you could always consider becoming a sales rep for a catalogue company, running ‘parties’ for Avon, Virgin Vie or even Ann Summers! However, these often require initial outlay and you should bear in mind that if you’re hard up it’s likely that your friends and peers will be too and they won’t fork out for your merchandise.

If you’re artistic or crafty you could always try selling your wares; either on campus (get permission first!), at local markets, or via online trading sites such as ebay or etsy.com. Check out our article on making money from the comfort of your home or tips for budding entrepreneurs. If you’re not so blessed with talent, flogging some of your unwanted possessions could be a good stop-gap measure.

IB: Business Management: Marketing Product (Unit 4.3~the product)

THE PRODUCT - notes

• A product is something that the company seeks to sell to satisfy customer needs and wants


• The product was ‘add value’ meaning that the value of the finishing product needs to be higher than when it first went into the factory, meaning that the company is actually able to make a profit from it


• There are different classifications for products:


• Fast moving- products that are necessary for daily use, like toilet paper and it is something that consumers need to buy. Something that is bought for a short period of time, meaning quick and rapid resales. Usually a large volume is sold with a low profit margin due to the low prices. There is small customer loyalty, and therefore a high elasticity of demand( consumers are more sensitive to price changes)


• Perishables- products that easily and quickly are out of use, for example flowers or food, that have a certain time period where the product is useful. They are usually priced very high during peak times like valentines day for flowers, however due to the temporary nature of the products, it means that it is therefore costly to get rid of excess stock.


• Durables- products that are used for a long period of time, like a phone or electronics in general. This means that there is usually a high profit margin due to the high prices, it takes up a large portion of the consumer’s income but it also means that they wont be buying very rapidly.


• Specialty- these products have a high profit margin due to their high prices, they are very exclusive products like the iPod for apple, these cannot be sold from any other brand meaning that they have a low elasticity of demand  and the consumers are less price sensitive. This is also applied to the Porsche and the Ferrari.


• Product range- This is all the range of products in the product mix of a company, meaning all the products that it sells.


• Product mix- The different types of products that your company offers, like a phone or television. It doesn’t necessarily mean specifically touch screen phone and non-touch screen phone, but just a phone.


• Product line- the different types of product within your product mix, like different sized television screens. They are essentially the same product(product mix) but they are different variations of the same product.


• New product design and development


• Must have market research to support design and development to ensure that what you produce is what the consumer wants reducing sales


• Product life cycle


• This is looking at the way a product behaves throughout time on the axis of sales revenue and time

• Research and development is the stage before introduction, and this is the stage where new products are being test marketed and tested before it is launched to minimize risk


• The research and development stage is very costly due to the high rejection rate of products and also the industrial espionage risk, as many car products are publicized during testing periods


• High investment with no return, very risky for business


• Introduction is the stage where the product is launched and pubicised to the general public, a lot of intense marketing is used here like launch campaigns, below the line promotion to enhance consumer awareness of the product


• Little growth and little market share and little profit due to the lack of consumer awareness to begin with


• Objective is to get to growth as quickly as possible as that is when they start making profit


• Growth is the stage where consumer attention has been yielded, and also sales revenue begins to increase quite rapidly


• There is still low market share as the product is still being noticed by the consumers


• Starts facing competition


• Many companies wish to stay in growth for as long as possible because of the fast growing market share and fast growing profits of the product


• More product differentiation occurs here, the product is distinguished amongst other products causing it to increase in sales


• Increase in distribution areas- place


• Maturity is the stage where the growth slows down, with a high market share but low growth quite equivalent to the cash cow on the boston matrix


• This is the stage where a lot of promotion and above the line promotion is used because of the high and intense level of competition, making it crucial for a distinguishing advertising campaign to work.


• Highly reliant on promotion to differentiate itself


• Products like coca cola and mars bar stay at this level for a long period of time


• High level of Economies of scale in terms of production and marketing


• Unsuccessful competitors then drop out


• Decline is when the product grows old, and many replacements appear, making it not worthwhile for the business to continue investing in that product


• For example cathode ray televisions have now been replaced by LCD screens in televisions


• Equivalent of the dog in the boston matrix


• Sales fall and prices decrease as there is no longer a demand for the product


• Extension strategies, are strategies that a company uses to prevent their product from entering the final stage of the product life cycle(decline) for example

-          Re-advertising, with a completely new image to provoke a different impression of the product, like Hello Kitty advertising towards teenage girls rather than young girls

-          Below the line promotion, like discounts and coupons to encourage sales in the short term and to stimulate consumer interest in the product

-          Creating new variations of the product, like a fun sized chocolate bar to arouse consumer interest and also to prevent the product from entering decline

-          Target towards different market segment, aim it towards a different set of people with a different marketing strategy to maximize sales to a larger group of people

-          Redesigning and repackaging, different types of packaging to change the image of the product

Branding

• Branding is referring to the identity that is usually given to a product to improve customer loyalty and brand recognition, it represents the product and the company in a shape or a word


• This is a key product differentiator, allows the product to be separated from others.


• Intangible asset in the way that it is not something that you can achieve just by buying it, it is something that is built over time


• Trademarks are legal rights to protect the brand, to allow the business to enjoy the benefits of a good and established brand

Brand development

• Build the awareness of the brand, which is crucial for a successful brand and successful product, because even if the product is good, it doesn’t mean that it will sell very much because of the lack of awareness and recognition of the brand


• This is a long term investment, and it is very expensive


• But to build a strong brand is the aim of every marketing department

Brand Loyalty

• Very important to business to encourage customer resales, and it ensures that consumers will buy from them rather than from a competitor, hence ensuring that their product is differentiated from that of another company’s because of the strong and established brand

Loyalty programs

• This is to encourage the loyalty of consumers, for example with the use of membership cards, or certain below the line promotion schemes that encourage buyers to buy from that certain brand, hence building a good brand recognition and brand loyalty

Why should firms develop a brand?

-          Reduces risk, so if they try to expand into different product markets, it means that there will be less risk as there is an increased brand recognition, which means that people will buy it because they recognize the brand. For example, Mars advancing into ice cream products, because of the well known and established brand of Mars, it means that consumers are more willing to try their new ice cream products due to their already established impressions of the mars bar.

-          Foster extension strategies, it means that the extension strategies of that successful brand is likely to work, for example by re-advertising a product with a different image or changing the product to appeal to different target markets, it is likely to be more successful because of the brand loyalty and brand recognition

-          Distribution advantages, it means that the business will not have to look especially for a distributor to sell the product, if the product is well known and it sells it means that all the distributors will be fighting for the most recognized products as they have a highest chance of selling. 

-          Competitive advantage, with a more successful brand it means that it can potentially generate a large volume of sales, this is due to the fact that consumers trust the product and are willing to spend money on it as they associate the quality of the product with the price

-          Premium pricing, the business or firm is able to use premium pricing and get away with it because their products are associated wth a higher quality, and because of the brand recognition and customer loyalty it usually entails that there will be a high elasticity of demand, and customers will be less sensitive to price changes if they are loyal to that brand

• Barriers to entry,it means that with a lot of well established brands in the industry it prevents any small business from wanting to establish themselves in that market. This is because of the high economies of scale for the businesses with big brands, for example Mcdonalds has a very high economies of scale due to it’s size, purchasing and also because of it’s well known brand, which makes it hard for a new unknown business to establish themselves. This is because of the relatively high startup costs, and also they cannot compete with the low prices of these successfully branded companies.


• Types of branding


• Family branding- many products under the same brand, like virgin has a wide variety or a wide product range all under the same brand name


• Company branding- meaning that the branding follows after the name of the company like adidas or nike, this is useful for marketing economies of scale


• Own brand- many retailers like park’n shop have their own brands, that are set at lower than the prices of the big brands. Appealing to consumers who are more price sensitive, and also this is possible due to the high purchasing economies of scale


• Product branding- under the same brand name like coca cola there can be many different individual brands. For example coca cola with sprite and fanta, these are all separate brands but under the same company, this may be used to allow consumers to not associate the products together by creating a different brand image for both. Also shown in Lexus in Toyota


• Manufacturer’s brand- this is branding that is from the company in itself, the company is responsible for manufacturing and selling. For example dell is able to directly sell to the customer.


• Branding in a global market: this makes it important for a business to have an established brand, which allows it to be easily recognizable across nations. For examples Mcdonalds has a very recognizable brand, which allows the consumer to recognize the brand


• Some brands are ‘glocalized’ meaning that they are adapted to certain areas to suit the demands of the local customer, for example a brand name that may seem suitable in one nation may not be the same in another, to cater for different target markets


• A globalized brand also allows the firm to have global marketing economies of scale, as one advertisement can be used worldwide, rather than repeatedly creating new ones for each brand name in each different nation


• It encourages customer loyalty

Product differentiation

• Companies need to differentiate their product in order to survive in the competitive market


• In terms of


• Design(also includes durability and quality)


• Appearance


• After sales service


• Loyalty programs


• Availability, abundance of their product in terms of distributors.

Benefits of differentiation

• More competitive advantage


• Increased customer loyalty and recognition of the brand as you are differentiated from other competitors


• Allows premium pricing, because your product is not something that other businesses can offer


• Distribution advantages, more people want to sell your product in their store

Boston Matrix

• A measure of market share against growth


• Used to analyze the product portfolio of a business and to assess whether they are worth investment or not


• Good to have a large range of products, this is because risk is spread, if your business is declining in one market but expanding in another it means that your business is at less risk as compared if you had a less diversified product range


• This is because different products do well in different economic climates, for example certain airlines under virgin will do well in economic recessions but not so well in other times.


• It is also good because it means that larger revenues can be generated due to the diversity of the products


• Boston matrix analyzes different products and assesses where they lie within the matrix and is used to judge whether or not a product is worth investment


• CASH COWS: are products that are in the maturity section of the product life cycle, they are the bread and butter of the company’s profits, and they generate a lot of sales revenue. High profits, low growth, high market share.


• STARS: Relative to the growth section, high growth, high market share but still need investment to go onto being cash cows


• QUESTION MARKS: They have a high growth but a low market share, this is a product that could be a dog or a star, it depends on the nature of the product and the availability of resources within the business, the fate of the question marks usually is the outcome of market research on the demand of such a product-requires a lot of investment


• Low revenues


• DOGS: lack of demand, equivalent of the decline stage of the product, there are many substitutes and they gradually become out of fashion and out of production. Low market share, low growth they are considered an opportunity cost as that money could be used elsewhere for example in training.


• However there are limitations to the Boston matrix as the boston matrix highly focuses on the sales revenue, when indeed a lot of sales revenue does not necessarily equate to a high profit because it depends on the management of costs within the business

 

Making Money at Home

Working from home is rewarding

Working from home has many great perks, and you can be successful with the right skills. Many of my friends worked from home after they graduated; and some even made 6 figure earnings in USD whilst still in highschool. Of course, there pros and cons from working from home; however, the good outweighs the bad if you can be self motivated and disciplined. Of course, it always help if you have a genuine interest in what you're doing. If you already work from home, listen up for more opportunities down the page.

Benefits

• Flexible schedule – since many home-based jobs can be done on the Internet, you can work 24/7, or whenever you want. No shifts. No rigid lunch breaks. No dreaded early-morning wake-ups after a long weekend.


• More family time – Many moms like being available to their children and are joining the ranks of working at home everyday. Nevertheless, whoever you are, you would find that the extra time saved (from unnecessary transport time/ procrastination from boredom of sitting at a cubicle all day etc.) will be of much you to your new job & social life.


• Financial rewards – Studies show that Independent Contractors are staying on their jobs longer these days than traditional employment. You have equal and greater opportunities to earn a higher income working from home.


• Greater fulfillment – Many people that work from home do work that is more meaningful to them and society. It makes sense that people who are disciplined enough to work at home do work that brings them great personal satisfaction. Case and case again, we have heard of people who became very successful - gaining many opportunities they had never dreamed of - all in the comfort of their own home.


• Broader reach – You will find that your audience is global. You get opportunities to work with people from all parts of the world. Such is the phenomena of the internet.

7 Things you need to be successful

1. Independent – Working from home requires you to work with little or no supervision. You must be an independent worker and thinker – able to think on your feet. Be a self-taught learner.


2. Excellent communication skills – Working from homes means working remotely. Your should be good with email and following up with what you have proposed to others. You have to write clear and concise information and instruction to your readers.


3. Discipline – You should be able to meet deadlines and stick to a schedule and system that you can fulfill. Having integrity will help create the discipline you need.


4. Self-Motivated – Working from home can get lonely, and you have to be able to motivate yourself. There is no group of people that you see, shake hands with, or give a high-five for job well done. You’ll have to be your own best cheerleader.


5. Computer skills – Technology is your link to the outside world, and you need to be connected. Learn to use the Internet, email, and Microsoft Word will make life easier for you.


6. Competitive – I say competitive because, you need drive. The person you are competing against is yourself. You want to be able to outdo yourself.


7. Passion – As mentioned, it is the key that drives you to do what you do. Passion is the strong desire give of yourself. Passion will keep you going when you need it most.

Jobs you can do from home

Some suggestions

• Customer Service – Listening and solving problems for people. You work in a quiet place with your headset on and help resolve issues customers have.


• Editor – Chief individual over copy for magazines, newspapers, books and information provided to readers. You could set up your own virtual magazine online for a minimal start-up cost; conversely, build up experience in the industry first before branching out in entrepreneurship.


• Field Interviewer – Interview individuals face-to-face and over the phone to collect data about a specific subject. You work from home and go into the community.


• Freelance Writer – One who writes original content on various topics and publishes it for the public. Start with writing about things that you have an interest about and know quite a lot about - those are the easiest - and tend to reap better results. Quality is always over quantity. Build enough of a following on a variety of publications, and you'll be getting requests for guest articles/ posts which are more lucrative.


• Publisher – One who takes written content and turns it into final copy, such a book or magazine and makes it available to the public for sale.


• Mystery Shopper – My favourite, this really is a job. Many companies want you to test their products or evaluate the companies who sell their products. You go into these companies “undercover” so to speak. You act like a real customer, and play the role as an evaluator.

Ca$h to expect

Most home-based employers allow you to work up to 40 hours per week, and many offer part-time. You can choose what is best for your schedule. In many cases, home-based workers have the option to work more or less than they want. Early on, the pay may seem low, but in the long run you can earn more. Benefits and bonuses are rewards that you can aspect and appreciate from working at home. Salaries vary and are unlimited.

Best of all - you are in control of your work schedule :)

5 Ways to Ace a Job Interview

 

You've probably heard your parents talk about the importance of making a good first impression on a job interview (their "dress for success" talk may sound like a lecture, but in this case parents are right).

Here are 5 strategies to help you ace your job interview:

1. Dress the part. Even if the job you're applying for involves wearing a uniform or working behind the scenes, the way you dress for an interview tells your potential employer that you take the job seriously. If you're a guy, wear a nice pair of pants and a shirt (a tie usually isn't necessary for a summer job, although it doesn't hurt to wear one!). Sneakers, sandals, shorts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and jeans don't make good interview attire. The same goes for girls — wear something simple and avoid short skirts or skimpy tops.


2. Appear confident. Look your potential employer in the eye, shake his or her hand, and remember another parental mantra: good manners. Of course, appearing confident is easiest when you know what you're talking about, and that brings us to the next point.


3. Be prepared. Find out what you can about the position or company in advance and show your knowledge during the interview. Researching the company shows the interviewer that you're smart and eager to learn. Doing your research also lets you learn what inspires you about the company so you can share your enthusiasm with the interviewer.
   
   If you can, find out more about the position itself. Looking on the company's website or talking to someone who has worked there allows you to think in advance about which skills you have that fit well with the job.


4. Answer (and ask!) questions. You'll no doubt be asked typical interview questions, such as why you're interested in the position, what types of skills you offer, and the hours you're available to work. Prepare your answers before the interview.
   
   Don't be afraid to ask questions. Questions don't make you look stupid. Asking good questions shows the interviewer you're thoughtful and that you're not afraid to interact with other people — a particularly good interview strategy if the position involves dealing with people, such as sales. If you can, practice being interviewed by an adult in business. When the real time comes, you'll be more prepared and comfortable.


5. Follow up. Send the interviewer a brief email or letter thanking him or her for spending time with you. Say how interested you are in the position. This is a particularly good strategy if you're interviewing for an internship or office position. Your future employer will be impressed by your determination.

Parents or older siblings can offer good advice about job hunting and interviewing. So don't hesitate to ask for help on everything from putting together your résumé to choosing an interview outfit. Chances are, you'll be interviewing with and working for people their age anyway so a little insight can't hurt.

 

Finding a Summer Job or Internship

Thinking about a summer job? This year, as more people compete for fewer openings, you'll need to start looking early, do your research, and apply to more positions. So it's more important than ever to have a job search plan.

 

What's the Right Job for Me?

To find a job that's right for you, make a list of your interests and strengths, as well as your dislikes and the things you need some improvement in, and keep them in mind as you look for a job. For example, if you love books or writing, a job in a bookstore or library might be perfect for you. But if little kids drive you crazy, a babysitting job may not be ideal.

A job or internship should be about learning as well as making money. Try to find something that can help guide you toward your long-term goals. For example, if you want to study veterinary science in college, finding a job in a vet's office or animal shelter, or even a pet store, may be better choices for you than working in a restaurant.

As jobs become harder to find, you may have to take whatever's available — and that's OK. Learning to readjust goals and priorities is another important life skill. Just try to find some aspect of the work that you love and can learn from.

Where Should I Start?

Prepare a Resume

A good résumé is your best job-hunting tool. Unlike an application form, which you only fill out when you apply for a particular job, you can hand résumés out to relatives, friends of the family, teachers, and other people you know. Talk to your school counselor for advice on preparing a résumé.

Find Job Leads

For job listings, check out online teen job sites or the classified ads section of your local newspaper. Lots of online sites let you search by zip code for job opportunities in your area.

Of course, some of the job listings you'll see — like those that claim you can make thousands of dollars a week working at home — may be too good to be true. Be sure the job ad mentions what the work entails (e.g., "server, evenings and weekends" or "day camp counselor").

Some people get job leads from their school counselors. Others fill out applications or drop off résumés at prospective employers and temporary employment agencies. If you're interested in working at a restaurant, bookstore, garden center, or other service business in your area, the best approach is to go there and fill out an application form.

Your parents, relatives, or other adults you know might be able to help you connect with possible employers. Don't feel that it's not right to ask them. Once you get the interview, it will be up to you.

Be Your Own Boss

Traditional summer jobs in malls, stores, or restaurants are harder to come by in a tough economy. If your job search hits a dead end, don't give up: get creative and entrepreneurial. Start a pet sitting, dog walking, child care, computer services, yardwork, or cleaning business — whatever there's a need for in your area.

Print up flyers advertising the services your business offers, your rates, and your phone number or email address, then drop one off at every house in your neighborhood or ask supermarkets or coffeehouses if you can post one on their community bulletin board.

Volunteering

Recent changes in the economy make things hard for us who need to earn money. But the economic downturn may offer more opportunities for those who are willing to volunteer or take unpaid internships just to gain work experience (which, by the way, boosts up your CV for the next time 'round). Plus, if your school requires you to get volunteer credits, summer is a great time to earn them.

As with paid jobs, you can find volunteer opportunities online. Here are some other places to check out:

• Your local Y or community center. Offer to coach or help out with a summer camp.


• Hospitals. Think you might want to be a doctor or nurse? Sign on with your local hospital's volunteer office. You don't have to be interested in medicine, though. Some hospitals have organized volunteer programs where you can do everything from help out with patients to work in the public relations office.


• School. Talk to your favorite teacher and offer to help tutor summer-school students. Some schools run summer camps for kids, too — maybe you can volunteer as a counselor.


• Local environmental organizations. Get involved in a river cleanup or help the National Park Service maintain hiking trails in your area.

Internships

Some companies and businesses offer bright students short-term, hands-on training in exchange for a willingness to learn and work hard. A few internships even pay, although the point of internships is usually to get work experience, not earn money.

If you do well at your internship, you may be offered a full-time job next summer or even an ongoing part-time job. Internships can also provide you with valuable references that can help you to land future jobs.

Start by asking adults you know — your parents, their friends, your pastor, your school counselor — if they know of any internships in your area. If you're willing to work for free, you may be able to create your own position at a family member's or friend's company. Or, check out the websites of companies in your area to see if they offer internships.

Staying Safe

Online Job Searches

When searching for jobs online, be sure to keep a parent or other adult informed of what you're doing. If you decide to apply for a position you find online, run it by a parent or school counselor first — and definitely don't go for an interview without involving an adult. Unfortunately, a tough economy can mean more online scams.

Jobs to Avoid

Some jobs just aren't right for teens. Jobs that involve working alone late at night can put someone at risk for muggings or assaults, particularly people who are young and inexperienced. The National Consumers League warns teens to avoid working in farm fields or with agricultural processing equipment, landscaping or lawn service jobs, construction jobs, jobs that involve driving or operating heavy equipment, and jobs that involve door-to-door sales.

Know the Law

Federal laws in some countries limit the number of hours teens can work. For summer employment (when school is not in session), the US federal government does not allow 14- and 15-year-olds to work before 7 a.m. or after 9 p.m., and they cannot work more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week. You can find out your state's laws and curfews (times when teens are not allowed to work) by calling your state department of labor. If you know your curfews and mention them when interviewing for or starting a job, your boss can keep them in mind when he or she schedules your start or quitting time.

Getting There

If you don't have your license or access to a car, be sure your job is within walking distance or on a regular bus route. If you drive, leave a few minutes early — especially on the first couple of days you're working — to be sure you arrive on time without feeling pressured.

 

The Interview

What do job interviewers look for? It's not just previous work history or unique skills that matter at the interview. Interviewers want to hire candidates who are smart, who think quickly and clearly, and who can express themselves and communicate well — regardless of work experience. Both your attitude and your appearance affect your chances of getting the job you want, especially when the job market is super competitive.

Here are two things to remember:

1. Dress the part. When you head out for your interview, avoid looking too casual. That means no sandals, jeans, or cutoffs. Even if you'll be scooping ice cream behind a counter, it helps to look professional for the interview. Not sure how to dress? Ask a parent or adult.


2. Do your research. You know what you want — a job. But what does the company want from you? You might not know many details about the position until you interview, but you can prepare by researching the company itself. Go online and learn everything you can about the organization, from its corporate mission (the company's purpose and what it's trying to achieve) to what customers say about its products or services. Then use what you learn when answering the interviewer's questions.

Why Get a Summer Job or Internship?

Summer jobs and internships (whether they're paid or not) are a great way to prepare for life after high school or for college. The skills you learn early on will help you develop the professional talents you'll need throughout your life. These include basic but important skills like customer service or working with people who may be very different from the friends you hang out with.

Work experience can also help you feel good about yourself. The self-esteem and self-confidence you can develop at a job or internship will come in handy when you're ready to interview for college or a job after high school.

 

6 Tips for Teen Entrepreneurs

 

It's harder to find jobs in today's tough economy. If you need to earn money over the summer or after school, why not become your own boss?

Here are 5 tips on starting your own business:

1. Identify a need. Think about the kinds of services that might do well in your area. If you live in a suburb and your neighbors commute long distances to work, they may need dog walking help. Pet sitting is another good line of business during the summer or over the holidays when people travel. If there are lots of senior citizens in your area, a computer help business might do well.
   
   Keep your ears open for opportunities. If you have your license and you hear your mom's friend talking about how her kids need to be picked up at the same time from different places, suggest she hire you to help. You also can offer to pick up anything from groceries to dry cleaning, or clean anything from windows to cars.


2. Set a price for services. Once you know what you want to do, figure out how much to charge. Search online to see what others charge for the service you plan to provide. Teens often have an advantage: Less experience means you may be able to charge less, making your business more competitive.


3. Advertise. Print flyers describing the services your business offers. List your rates and your phone number or email address. (Check with your parents before you do this, of course!) Drop off a flyer at every house in your neighborhood. Give some to parents to take to work. Ask local stores or coffee shops if you can post a flyer on their community notice board (if you do this, make a bunch of tabs along the bottom with the service you offer and a phone number, so people can tear one off instead of taking the entire flyer).
   
   You also might be able to use sites like CraigsList to advertise your services — as well as look for customers who might need you. If you do look for opportunities online, though, keep a parent involved in what you're doing.


4. Organize your work. Once you have clients, you'll need to keep track of them. You don't want to forget to walk someone's dog because you were feeding someone else's fish. Buy a calendar and write down every job you do each day and the time you'll do it. Keeping a calendar also reminds you of how many times you provided a service so you can bill your clients. A parent, teacher, or school counselor can help you get started on business planning. Who knows, your business may grow so fast that you'll have to hire friends to help!


5. Do some research on successful start-ups. Just by surfing around the internet can generate tonnes of ideas and advice invaluable for your first attempt. You could also research and read about teens (like you) who have successfully built their own business up on the web. Remember, success breeds success - what better way is there to become one other than learning from the experience from others? [Click here for a post about: 30 Young Entrepreneurs You Should be Following]


6. CYB: Cover Your Business. If you drive for work, you'll want to be sure you have insurance — especially if you'll be driving other people's cars or transporting their kids. You'll also need to look into any coverage you might need for taking care of other people's property or pets. Ask a parent, school counselor, or teacher for advice.

With a little preparation, running your own business can bring great rewards, in both money and experience.

 

6 Reasons to Look for a Summer Job

5 Reasons to Look for a Summer Job

You may have heard all kinds of negative stuff about this summer's job market. It's true that jobs for teens can be tough to find. But they are out there. So go for it. If you don't land the job you want (or even any job), you'll still gain something from the process.

1. You'll develop your interview skills. The more jobs you apply for, the better you'll get at interviewing. Learning how to come across well in an interview is a skill you'll use forever. It helps with everything from getting into college to landing a full-time job when the time comes.


2. You'll get better at coping with rejection. It's unlikely you'll get the first job you interview for. Rejection is a fact of life, and there's no denying it can be hard to handle. The good news is, the more we face rejection and learn to deal with the feelings that go with it, the easier it becomes to get past the hurt and bounce back.


3. You'll learn something about yourself. Did you take a job that wasn't your first choice? You might discover a new skill or interest you never knew you had. Get offered the perfect job? Feel your self-esteem soar! Even if you don't really love your job but need to save for a new car or college, you'll learn that you can stick with something you don't particularly like to reach a goal that's important to you. And if nothing works out? You may decide to start your own business.


4. You'll push the limits of your comfort zone. Yes, it's a lot easier to sit home doing the same stuff you always do. But going out job-hunting can push you out of that comfort zone into a whole new experience. And you never know what you might find. Did you pass by a great new store on your way to submit an application? Did your interviewer do something totally wacky, like take off his shoes and put his feet on the desk? Even if all you come home with are some crazy stories, it's worth it.


5. You'll make the most of your summer whilst earning money (or, failing that, work experience). Ever experienced having a ton of plans and ideas for the summer only to be disappointed at what you really achieved at the end of it? Having a summer job takes away that wastage of the lazy summer days, and as you would've landed a job before summer, this leaves you free from having to think about what you need to do once summer dawns on you. Also, because there's now a tangible chunk of your time being taken away from your social calendar, you'll find it easier now to plan your schedule around this whilst possibly earning money alongside. Whats not to like? Working unpaid as an intern? -Don't ever look down on work experience! Some college applications require you to attach a CV, and have sections where you can talk about any work experience you had. This is the best place to talk about time-management skills & etc. because thats an aspect they see and value in many successful students. And, it'll help you get a better job next time 'round.


6. You'll face less competition. The word's out that summer jobs are hard to find. So lots of teens will give up without even trying. If potential applicants remove themselves from the process, it ups your odds of landing a job. And, if you don't get the job you want, volunteer. It's a great way to gain experience and add something to your résumé, whether for college applications or future jobs.

The bottom line with summer jobs is to just go for it. Try something new. You have nothing to lose and lots to gain.