Williston Publishimg - Index

Williston Publishimg - Teen Vermont - Index

Summer Jobs
Summer Jobs continued from pg 41
Casting the First Line
The fi rst important step is to get
out and about as soon as possible
because the best jobs fi ll the fastest.
Get a late start and it will be slim
pickings, like arriving at the pizza
party only to fi nd crust and a limp
piece of pepperoni left in the box.
In job hunting, there’s an old adage
that’s worth sharing: “It’s not what
you know but who you know.” Make
sure everyone and anyone knows
you’re looking for work. Tell your
parents, coaches and buddies to
share the info with their friends and
employers, cousins and clients.
“Networking isn’t just for stuffy
dudes in suits,” says Mike Ward with
SnagAJob.com, a Web site featuring
thousands of job postings throughout
the country.
Follow up all leads tossed your way.
And always thank people helping in
your search. Even if nothing pans out
right now, one never knows when a
position may come available.
Finding the Best Stocked Ponds
Rarely does anyone fi nd their dream
job in the fi rst go-around so don’t
expect to land a window offi ce or a
management position from the getgo.
Do expect to work hard for little
42 — Teen Vermont, Spring/Summer 2008
and the like. Labor positions such
as these have the highest rate of
turnover and need to be fi lled quickly.
“Local restaurants always need
good help and, while not the most
glamorous, it’s still a job,” explains
Dr. Randall Hansen of Quintessential
Careers, a job-consulting agency.
Stop off and fi ll out resumes at as
many restaurants and landscaping
companies as time will allow. Maybe
you’ll fi nd something better, but one
should always have a back up plan.
“People will have different views on
this, but I work at McDonald’s and it’s
not that bad,” writes a contributor to
TeenHelp.org, a teenagers’ support
forum. “The wages are just a little
above minimum and they have quite
a few benefi ts (discounts at local
stores, on Dell computers, hotels,
etc.), but no paid breaks. I like where
I work. Give it a try and apply there.
You’ve got nothing to lose.”
Need other ideas? Hansen suggests
stopping into small-business offi ces,
hotels and resorts, golf and tennis
clubs, grocery stores, parks and rec
departments and possibly summer
camps to fi ll out an application.
Complete all necessary information
honestly (some companies will check
your sources!) and be prepared to
interview with the manager. “Fill out
the application completely and don’t
Follow up all leads tossed your way. And always thank people
helping in your search. Even if nothing pans out right now, one
never knows when a position may come available.
pay and earn as much experience as
you can along the way. A strong work
ethic will get you good references
for your next job and your next job,
which may just lead to your dream
job.
“Even if a summer job may not
appear to be the yellow brick road
to your dream career, you’d be
surprised at what you can take away
from the right seasonal job,” says
Ward.
It’s also a fact that many teens end
up landscaping, waiting tables,
cashiering at fast food restaurants
just walk out, but wait to speak with a
hiring manager,” says Tom Lynch at
the Quiznos shop in Williston, where
teens 16 years and older are hired
summer and year-round. “We like
it best when we can hire teens who
can start in the summer and work
into the school year.”
Reeling in a Live One
“Employers want motivated teens
who are going to arrive to work
on time, have a positive attitude,
work hard, work well with others
and show leadership qualities,”
explains Hansen. “You need to show
your employer that you are a good
investment, both for the current
position, as well as for any potential
future positions.”
If you have an interview appointment,
be early and polite. “We want people
who show up on time, exhibit good
people skills and work as a team
player,” adds Lynch.
“We’ve had good luck hiring some
high schoolers in the past. In fact,
we had one person who worked
with us for six years—through high
school and into college,” remembers
Stephanie Paquette, owner of Oasis
Day Spa in Williston. “We don’t have
a high turnover here, but when we
do hire help, we look for someone
with people skills, who’s outgoing
and confi dent and maybe has some
computer skills, too.”
Photo by Greg Duggan
Jessica Phillips, who turned 20 on May 20,
prepares a massage table at Oasis Day Spa
in Williston. Phillips started massage school
when she was 17, and began working at
Oasis when she was 19.
Always put your best foot forward
and look like someone an employer
would want to hire. In other words,
dress the part. That likely means
covering up tattoos and pulling out
piercings, just for safe measure.
“While on the job, we expect
everyone to look presentable ... no
facial piercings, and tattoos must be
concealed, adds Paquette.
The same holds true at Eddie Bauer
in Burlington. “We have a fairly
casual dress code, but there can’t
be any visual tattoos,” says Jeremy
Brooks, co-manager.
Worried that your lack of previous
work experience will dead-end your
job search? You’ll need a passion
for the outdoors to work at Eastern
Mountain Sports, says Bobby Webb,
assistant manager, “because we