Season's work
Tuesday 18 December 2007
Looking to earn extra cash during the holidays and weekends? n2k has some ideas for what you can do.
Catering for Christmas
With half the adult population attending special Christmas dinners and parties, finding work in restaurants or bars shouldn't be a problem. Whether you're waiting on tables or washing dishes, there should be plenty of opportunities to earn.
If you don't fancy working with the public, why not offer to help out family or friends' parents or even do some babysitting for them? Ask your parents or older siblings for emails of close friends and then let everyone know your available. Create a simple email flyer listing all the things you can do to help, and hourly rate and a contact number. Hopefully you'll then soon see the offers rolling in!
Behind the counter
One thing that people love to do at Christmas is shop until they almost drop. Loads of shops and markets will be looking for extra pairs of hands to help out. These jobs may be advertised in your local paper or on cards in their windows. If you don't see any ads, go in and ask around anyway; you might be in the right place at the right time. If you are going to walk into shops and ask for work remember to look smart and look the part.
On the shelf
Another place you can try is your local supermarkets. Some supermarkets pay between £4-£5 an hour for 16 year old 'ambient replenishers' (shelf stackers to you and me). The best jobs go fast, so try to ask early! This could also be a good after school or Saturday job during term time.
Other ideas
Other places you could approach for work are:-
- Farms or stable work - is there a local farmer near you that needs help? Perhaps you love animals and would love to help out a stable?
- Working in a hairdressers - this could be especially good if you're thinking of going into the profession yourself.
- Office work - does your parent or someone you know need filing or other office work done? You never until you ask!
- Domestic work in hotels - if you have hotels near by it might be worth asking if they need anyone to help out with domestic work.
That's a wrap
If the thought of standing around in a shop all day fills you with dread, how about starting your own creative enterprise? One thing that many people hate to do is wrap presents. It can be a pain, takes ages and can be awkward. If you're a dab hand at wrapping even the weirdest of shapes, why not consider setting up a gift wrap enterprise of your own? Your customers would provide their own wrapping paper, but you'd do all the messy bit for them, for a price of course!
Cards needed
If you want to get even more creative you could think about designing some cool Christmas cards and selling them!
The law
Remember that if you are 13-16 there are restrictions on when you can and can't legally do any work, paid or unpaid
- Teens can't work before 7am or after 7pm or
- You can only work for up to 5 hours between 7am-7pm on a Saturday
- And up to 2 hours between 7am-7pm on a Sunday
- You also can ony work a maximum of 12 hours a week during term time, that includes weekends
- In the holidays for more than 25 hours a week - 35 hours if aged 15 or over, up to 5 hours a day but only 2 hours on Sunday
- 15 and 16 year olds may work for up to 8 hours on Saturdays and up to a maximum of 35 hours during school holidays.
Still stuck? Look for some available jobs in your area.
