Summer Job Advice-
 

Sooo it's summer, and I don't want to be bored out of my mind like I was last year, and kinda want some money.

My parents.. friends...family.. are all pressuring me to try and get a job with some computer repair business, seeing as I'm quite good with computers. Sure, I don't know binary nor hexadecimal, nor do I have any certifications (Actually gonna try and take an A+ course sometime next year), but still, wanna give computer repair a try this summer.

So basically, I was on Word, trying to brainstorm a resume to send to a couple companies around my area, to see if first, they'll hire a young kid like me (15 years old, birthday is Jan 3. So 16 will be in around 6 more months), then what they're looking for, and lastly how I would perform on the job.

So I was at an end, trying to think of something to say, since I'm still a Sophmore in High School starting August, and haven't really been taking any computer courses.

So now I need help.
What should I put on the "resume", what should I say, and how should I say it all? I'm trying to do it as something to do in my freetime (but you should never say that at a job interview, so I've heard), but I also wanna major in Computer Hardware/Science in college.

I'm mostly a hardware guy (screw coding! :intello:), where I build computers, replace components, repair, diagnose, etc. and don't want a software job.

Any help is appreciated!

IMO enjoy your summer vacation. I dont mean this to sound the wrong way, but I will try anyways. Your still a kid, enjoy yourself. Its gonna be one of the last summers youll have off. Now im not saying be a mooch and sleep til lunch everyday, but dont try and get a fulltime job either. Mow a lawn or two a week or something similar for some spending money. Hang out with friends, do some RCing and relax. You have your whole life ahead of you, dont be too eager to grow up :)
Although I do applaud your eagerness to become self sufficient.

+1

I've worked for about half a year when I was 15, I did get a good job + they paid well. Right now(turned 17 last week), I'm so happy I DON'T have any work! I'm spending LOTS of money and enjoy my life! It's awesome! You should do that too lol

And if you REALLY REALLY REALLY want a job, do something you really like and it should also pay very well.

I know having your own money would be awesome and all but don't be so eager to break what barely dropped a short time ago ?
While I admire your drive to work so young, you have plenty of time for that soon enough. You have time yet to still act and do stuff like a kid yet, dont spoil that. In a handfull of years you'll be locked down with a mortgage, car payment, screaming booger factorys for children of your own and a nagging wife soon enough.
I went to work PT at 14 after school till I graduated, I missed a lot of good times I'll never get back.

While I know what you're all saying, it's not really me trying to get the job, rather my parents wanting me to get a job, I guess they're tired seeing my presence around during summer, even though I do go out quite a bit..

Do you do "everything" your parents ask of you ? I didn't think so.

Tell them you have my permission to be a bum for one more summer.

Very true....
But you see, Asian parents aren't...normal parents. :lol:

They say something you kinda have to end up doing it.. :oops:

Nothing wrong with getting a summer job and a good way to earn money towards a car or whatever. Really, sitting around all summer doing jack has to get boring and if you are going to be doing something why not get paid?

I own an IT support business and would have a hard time hiring a teenager to work for me both from my end and the customer end.

However why not try a golf course or something that keeps you outdoors? Landscaping companies always need extra summer help too and also tend to pay better than say a fast food restaurant.

The only way I see the computer repair working is for you to freelance out to people you know. You don't need to know binary of hex as most people in IT do not. Get some business cards made and have your parents help get them passed around to their friends and what not. Since they want you to work enlist their help.

I understand this as I have a lot of Asian friends. It's good though as Asian parents tend to be more old school and raise their kids to have more respect. It leads you to a much more disciplined and successful lifestyle.

Hmm, golf course, I'll see if I can find any around here, I know there are a few country clubs, don't know about those though..

As far as the freelancing, I'm doing that right now, not many people are coming to me, since I'm mainly just doing friends.

Since my actual number is on the card, I feel worried about passing the cards out to random people, don't need any midnight Harold calls.. :whistle:

Had I waited a month or so (I got 500 cards for shipping price), I could've put my google voice number on the card, and had no matter passing them out..

Til they have another promo, I'm mostly passing the cards out to my friends, that I know aren't gonna sign me up for something...enjoyable.

Dont worry about the resume. At 15, nobody is going to expect you to have one, or expect you to have any experience. Just go knock on some doors and ask if they might be interersted in hiring a part time summer employee.

I made one, just kicks, we'll see.
I'm waiting for a few more revisions, but here's what I have so far:
I know, not exactly job-specific, tossed in some extracurricular activities to help fill the bottom part-ish.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4338252/rawfuls%20Resume.docx

I mowed yards, to get money when i was your age.

Except everyone has a few gardeners these days..

Thats true :lol:. What about washing cars in the neighborhood ?.

No one wants to see a fat kid washing their car :lol:

As oddly enough, my neighbors (2 of em) have people who come by every 2 weeks and wash their cars.. at their house.
Still puzzles me to this day...

:rofl:.

IDK about the computer repair biz, at least if you are looking to get a decent and reliable income stream coming and rather quickly. Not saying don't do it, just don't expect to greatly take-off.

I think mowing lawns is about the best thing you can do. Its all in cash (so no taxes), its easy to make a good deal of money for the time invested, and it gets you outside. Something easy to knockout in the mornings while its cool and have your day later on.

If some people already have lawn service, try to outbid them. If its pros, then they will have to charge a pretty good amount to cover costs and make a decent wage. Youdont need a lot of lawns to do either. Even if you can do 10 lawns a week @ $20, that's $200 in your pocket for maybe 10-15hrs of work. Not bad at all for a 15 yo.

Well, I wanted to get started early on the computer biz, mainly because I don't wanna be volunteering, or working for a job that's not dedicated to my major.

My brother recommended me to actually do computer jobs, if I plan on majoring in computers in college.

Kind of like working for a fast food restaurant, if you're majoring in English.
This way it looks nice for the colleges I'll attempt to apply for..

If you were sixteen I would say try and get a job with geek squad or the like, but........

At 15 I wouldn't worry too much about trying to find your career job right now. No one will look down on you for taking random summer jobs as a teenager. When you hit college, I would pursue the computer related career heavily, but until then don't sweat it.

So uhh, my parents are pretty persistence with me trying to at least apply, so I wrote up a little letter, here's what I have so far.
I do kinda want the "job" but hey, it's mostly my parents :P

Any advice?

Just something to note, if you only plan on working for around 2-3 months (when do you start school again?) you are probably best off doing the lawn-mowing/yardwork or maybe working at a grocery store (that was my first summer job as a kid). Looking for summer-only employment limits the scope of which employers are willing to hire you. If the job requires a reasonable amount of orientation and training the employer may be hesitant to spend the time and effort when they know you will be leaving relatively soon. You are probably best off looking for jobs that have a high turnover rate of employees. Grocery store again, gas station, fast food. Not glamorous jobs by any means, but they are more likely to accept short-term employees.

TexasSP:

Thanks, didn't catch that..
I do have my neighbor, a few friends, and I think some teachers?
Should I list the references in the email, or should I just keep them until they ask for em?

@simplechamp:

I plan to work fulltime in the summer (Maximum 40 hours a week with the work permit), and part time (Friday, and weekends) during school.

I start school relatively soon, because we're changing schedule from September to June, to August to May..

Well as long as you plan to stay on during school that will make you more attractive to potential employers, but Friday and weekends only is still somewhat limiting when looked at from the employers point of view, especially if they are only open M-F.

As I said before, gas station, grocery store, fast food. All open 7 days a week and should be more flexible with your schedule.

Note that you are looking to work a temp job. Go into it telling the truth on that part so there is no confusion on the employers part later when you quit.

I started work at 15 at Outback Steakhouse, as a busser. Stayed there until I started college. They worked around my school and soccer schedules, with opportunity to work nights or mornings. I worked my way from busser to line cook to prep cook. Pretty fun job as well, that and they fed me.

I would say seek an entry level job in the restaurant, grocery, landscaping, or construction fields. They usually are okay with temporary work, and don't mind younger kids that can work hard and take little pay.

Another good idea, check to see if UPS is hiring. There shifts, may be slightly different in your area, are usually early morning, before school, or late night, after 3-4pm. I had lots of high school kids start there when I was a manager. Some even got credit for the work experience at the high school they attended. Pay is decent and weekly, and it is one hell of a good workout at your age.

I would list references as available upon request. This way you don't have any Tom, dick, and Harry who sees your resume calling your references. Have a separate reference sheet and once you know you are interested in a particular employer for sure, you can give it to them. You need to make sure your references know you are using them and what it is about. Separate the business/work references from the personal references so the potential employer will no which is which.

Some employers just like to see you have references but will never call them, some will call a few, and some will call all. It's also to have only a few prominent and respected references than many so so ones.

Also another quick idea which is used in the professional world is to come up with a 30 second commercial about you and what you are seeking. Nothing corny and infomercial like, just direct and to the point. Write it out and practice it with a few people, make sure and smile when you talk and that you have a good firm hand shake. Great people with the appropriate salutations (Mr so and so, Mrs so and so, yes sir, yes mam) and dress nicely (don't think you need a suit just no shorts and t-shirt) and always thank people for their time.

Like I said, remember that you are presenting yourself as a product to them.

Alright, I just need to run by a few teachers, neighbors and such and see who I can add.

Thanks again Texas!

Enjoy Fellas !
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1...essCarWash.jpg

I'm not clicking that, helll no.
I'm scared.

Your depriving yourself of a hearty laugh, I swear !

I just clicked on it.
That was pretty... disturbing

I'm never falling for something like that around here! :lol:

hehehehe :)

Well, success, and not so success..
One company is very interested in me working for them.. IF I can make about 20 hours a week during school.

My parents don't really want me working school days, just Fridays and Saturdays (M-F hours is 8-6, Saturday is 10-2).

Working from 3:30 (when I get out of school) to 6:00 would be 2:30, and 6 hours during Saturday, wouldn't make nearly 20 hours.

So that company wouldn't be able to use me if I can't work during school week (which I kind of want to do).

The other company isn't really responding, given it only has been 2 or so days (sent Monday @ 3:00).. Not sure what to do now besides just bum out this summer..

School during the week and job on the weekends ? All work and no play is not much of a compromise. The parents need to let up a little, your following through to fulfill their wish of you working. Have a chat w/them about at least letting you work the hours you want so you ultimately have some free time ? Glad you've heard something positive already.

Well, job only on Saturdays, I do most of my life on Sundays anyways.. :D

Perhaps I may just try to talk to the person interested already, to seeing to "train and get me up to speed" this summer, work a bit til school starts, then continue next summer...

And how about the company that never responded.. I don't wanna bug him :oops:

I would play the, "Well if I can keep my grades and work." scenario. If your parents see a drop in your grades, cut the job, if not, than move forward. I worked from 5 till 10 or later on school nights and 4-12 in Saturday in the back as a prep cook. I was on terms with my folks, if I can keep my grades and soccer in line they let me work.

Also, unless you have college figured out, tell your folks that you will be most likely working through college to pay for it, so this would be good practice.

Hm, that's a good argument..

I think it'd be best to see if the guy would be willing to let me work summers, every year, is that worth a chance emailing?

Work into a good relationship I don't see why not. I wouldn't probably propose this off the bat, but maybe towards the end of the summer if you get employed by them.