Seasonal jobs are great opportunities for teens to earn money when they have a bit more free time from school. Whether it’s over summer vacation or during the holiday season, there are some key things to keep in mind to get the most out of your seasonal job. If you’re looking for a seasonal job right now, start with Get Schooled’s Job Launch tool– just enter your zip code, enter the type of job you are looking for, and start swiping to find seasonal jobs near you!

Preparation is key!

If you want to work over the holiday break or summer vacation, be sure to apply for jobs at least a month before you want to start working. This means making sure that you have a resume and a cover letter written and ready to send to employers. You can send in your resume to Get Schooled for free review and we’ll make sure you’re ready to apply! If you already have a resume or cover letter that you’ve used in the past, be sure to update and customize them to each job you apply for. 

Search creatively

In addition to using JobLaunch, there are other creative ways you can look for seasonal jobs. Depending on the time of year, there may be an increase in hiring. For example, in summer, many cities host Summer Youth Employment Programs, which help teens find jobs. There may also be extra openings in your area for camp counselors, lifeguards, and childcare workers. During the holidays, there are short-term ways to earn money with holiday-specific pop-ups, such as Halloween stores, Christmas tree sales, or gift wrapping. Large retail stores are also often looking to hire short-term work during this time.

Networking

Whether you are still searching for a job or already have one, your network can be a key to your success. Reaching out to your network to see if they know of seasonal jobs is a great way to start your search. You can ask your parents, adult relatives, teachers, counselors, coaches, and neighbors. If you’re in college already, don’t forget to stop by the career center for help! Once you land your seasonal job, your new coworkers and managers are now a part of your network, too. Building relationships with those people may mean gaining a reference for future employment or even coming back to the same job season after season!

 

 

 

 

 

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Working smart

You may be out of school on holiday break or summer vacation, so you likely can work more hours. Depending on your age, there may be limits to the amount of hours you can work per shift or per week, so it’s important to know your rights if you are under 16. Working on holidays can also mean making more money! Companies may offer “time and a half” pay for employees who work on holidays. This means that if you normally earn $20 per hour at your seasonal job, during these peak times you could earn up to $30 per hour! Be sure to ask about this possibility when you’re hired. No matter what, you will also still need to track your earnings for tax purposes. Your paystubs will deduct taxes from your overall pay, but at the end of the year you may be owed a refund, so be sure to stay on top of your taxes! Get Schooled has all the information you need to manage your money wisely!

If you are looking for a job as a 14 or 15 year old, be sure to know your rights! As you look for a seasonal job right now, be sure to use our free JobLaunch tool, submit your resume to us for free review, and text #Jobs to 33-55-77 (click here if you’re using a mobile device) to speak with one of our career advisors!