For your teenager, getting their first job is a huge milestone for them and a sign they’re growing up. While it can be a confidence boost for your child, being treated as an adult in the workplace can also feel daunting.
It’s often difficult for young people to find a job, even if they’re just looking for weekend work that fits around school. But you can support them through the highs and lows of the job search and their first day without having to do the hard work for them.
You want to help your teenager start work, but not do it for them. While you might help them polish their CV, read through their finished application form, and offer feedback, it doesn’t help if you do everything for them.
Do check over any job adverts to make sure they are reputable and legal. There are strict rules about employing younger teenagers, especially around the number of hours they can work.
Help them find out essential details like working hours, pay and conditions, and the scope of the role.
No one expects a teenager to have an enormous amount of experience, and that makes it hard for employers to choose between them for jobs. This makes their presentation on the day hugely important.
Encourage them to dress smartly for interviews. It might just be a weekend job in a café, but they’re more likely to be hired if they look well presented.
Talk to them about making eye contact, speaking confidently, and smiling. You could practise interview questions to help them feel prepared.
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