Show Focus Happenings 10 Win at bridge 1 3 9 The Harajd Journal Logan Utah Tuesday Juno 6 1989 Finding By Lyrmette Harris staff writer keeping QDOOOGDfldT For many teens die beginning of summer vacation is the first opportunity to look for a job Employment opportunities are available for teens but attitude has a lot to do with their chances of getting and keeping a job Ted Nyman placement director at Logan Job Sendee said Nyman uid teens and aU first-tijob seekers should not restrict thekindof woifc they will do or the salary they will accept “Anytime someone restricts themselves by saying T won’t take a jobdoingthisor that or I will only accept this salary' they limit themseNes and may find diemsefres without a job for some time” Nyman said “If they are willing to take die best job they can get though and get started establishing a work history and work references to go along with their personal references they will learn skills and gain experience that will help them get other jobs” Nyman said teens typically getjobs rn fields like fast food farming outdoor maintencance domestic help and some retail sales and cashiering jobs Summer is also a good time for teens to find jobs at places that cater to tourists like hotels motels and restaurants Lain Nalder die summer youth employment director at Logan Job Service said “A lot of kids think they want a better job than fast food But I have seen a lot of kids who have gone into diose jobs with a good attitude come out in management with money and company assistance for college" e Some manufacturing plants are also willing to take workers But regulations in most of them require that employees be at least 18 years old Nyman said What job hunting basically comes down to for teens Nalder said is deciding how badly they really want to work Nyman said nearly any job can teach a teen the skills they will need to be a good employ ee which will help them get other jobs Those skills include learning to communicate well following instructions completing tasks being responsible achieving goals and getting along with The biggest weakness most teens have when it comes to job seeking and going to an interview is communication skills "Most teens just don’t have much experience talking to adults approaching people about jobs or selling themselves in an interview’’ Nyman said “Most employers though realize that and take it into me part-tim- Mb many teens die they seek this will be first Ted Nyman placement director at Logan Job Service said using Job Service and other employment services are good resources but the best way to land a jcb is to actively look and submit applications on your own Job hunting and interviews stressful even for seasoned job seekers But for teens who have not had experience in cultivating job seeking skills it can be especially challenging Job Service provides For counseling tor people looking for jobs and has a number of pamphlets with helpful hints for getting and keeping a job To help get summer job seekers off to a good start some of those helpful hints follow When filling out applications be neat and complete Be certain to have accurate addresses and telephone numbers for all references and past employers Before going to visit prospective employers and before an interview check your appearance to be sure you look neat and well-groom- ed Dress moderately — a tlashy appearance can be as damaging as a sloppy one Before you go to an interview find out what die company makes or does and die name of die person who will interview you Know what you have to offer and what skills you have that may help you in die job you are interviewing for Be sure to be on time for interviews Don’t take anyone with you to an interview Look at die interviewer when you are talking Speak clearly and remember that how you say account when they interview teens But those who will take die time to work on dressing and presenting themselves well and who really work at listening and communicating will find they have a real edge on the competition” Nalder said most teens especially those without a job history don’t think of making resumes before they begin looking for work She suggests that teens make a resume that includes where they go to school honors or awards they have received school or civic clubs they belong too and personal references Nalder said good sources for personal references include teachers and school administrators neighbors they may have worked for and Girl or Boy Scout leaders Nyman said some opportunities are available — and ambitious teens can often create their own opportunities— to get work experience in fields they are consi dering as careers For example Nyman suggested that a young person interested in becoming an electrician could contact a local electrical contractor and offer to clean up around job sites Others who might be interested in e office work might ask for work doing filing or ocher tasks “It is a little tougher to get jobs in some of die professions than in vocational fields but it can be done” Nyman said “Even jobs that may not seem too exciting can give a person a sense of what some of die good and bad points of a field might be A lot of times kids look at the dollar signs attached to a certain profession and think that is what they want to da But a litde exposure to the profession may show dim things that really don’t suit diem’’ 8 Many local teens gain job experience in the Bear River Association of Governments Summer Youth Employment program Garth Stockton BRAG job development counselor explained that the program provides teens with jobs and focuses heavily on teaching them work skills and a good work ethic Stockton said teens are placed in jobs with a variety of local employers doing everything from grooming city parks to childcare to working in labs at Utah State University The young people in die program work a maximum of 20 hours each week at minimum wage The program is a good opportunity for employers too Stockton said because BRAG pays the teen’s salaries and covers die cost of workers compensation “The kids learn a lot about being an employee’ Stockton said part-tim- 14-1- See JOBS on page 10 sometmng can dc as important as what you say Standtall and sit straight Smile and be positive Don’t discuss your personal home nr financial problems with the interviewer unless you are asked about them Be prepared to answer questions like why you want die job and why you think you are qualified At the end of the interview thank the inteviewer for their time And if die interviewer has not mentioned it ask when it would be convenient for you to check back about the job |