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When Grand Island teen Derek Beisner went to find a spring/summer job, he did it just the way Nebraska Workforce Development Director Randy Kissinger recommends.
He looked for a job at a business he knew was hiring. Talked to friends who already worked there. Thought up questions he might be asked and prepared answers. Dressed up a step above how he would dress at work and communicated clearly about his hours of availability.
"I was looking more for part-time just through the school year," Beisner said. "After soccer (season) for the summer to go up to 40 hours."
The result?
"I was hired at the interview," Beisner said.
Beisner is working in the dairy department at Hy-Vee. He's working weekends, afternoons and evenings.
"I worked 38 hours a week before soccer," Beisner said.
Now he's reduced his hours for spring sports and plans to ramp up again after high school graduation this May. It's all part of his savings plan for college this fall.
Now is the time to start looking for summer work, Kissinger said.
Construction crews, outdoor seasonal jobs such as lifeguarding, parks maintenance, lawn care and greenhouse work is all opening up, he said. Retail jobs are also beginning to open.
"Do some research," Kissinger advised teens. "Do they hire kids? Did your friends or siblings work there? Did they like it?"
Kissinger said job training programs like the CNA program through the Medical Pathways program at Grand Island Senior High is helping develop special skills in the teen workforce.
CNA, construction and other skilled labor positions will pay top dollar for summer workers, he said. Retail and food service wages are negotiable.
Even younger teens can get in on earning summer money, if they go after the right jobs and understand the time and job restrictions set out by the Fair Labor Standards Act (see box below) Kissinger said.
"If you're under 16 you have to get a work permit. It's available at the middle schools from the public schools," Kissinger said.
Parents have to sign the permit too. It's a safety measure designed to keep younger kids in school if the child is going to begin working during the school year.
The important thing is to let potential employers know when you can work.
"Communicate your availability at the time of application extracurricular activities, school hours, maybe you're a high school senior and you get done with classes at noon. Have your activity schedule," Kissinger said.
Also have your summer camp and vacation schedule handy.
"The kids need to be honest with the employers," Kissinger said. "Just be open when you go in what your hours are, your extracurricular activities."
Then find a niche and sell it sell yourself, he said.
"During the interview, offer the employer something. What can that person do for them? Will they make money for them? Will they bring customers to them? Do they fill a need?" Kissinger asked.
"The employer is not under any obligation to provide summer employment. They're in it for business to make money," Kissinger said. "The kid has to show a return for what the business is providing in wages."
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