Holiday job
Wednesday 23 May 2007
As the holidays approach you may be thinking of trying to fill up the piggy bank to do something special. Perhaps you're planning your first holiday with friends or want to buy a car or maybe save up before you go off to Uni or college this autumn. If so, it sounds like you need a holiday job.
Why bother?
Earning money gives you more independence and means you don’t always have to beg your parents for money. There’s also the satisfaction of earning and of being able to spend the money on what you want or save it up. It’s a great way of learning how to manage money.
Time is money
Be realistic. How much time can you actually devote to a summer job? Will you be looking to work all summer? Perhaps you just want a few weeks work or maybe even just a Saturday job? Be clear before you go looking.
Also think about how far you want to travel. Getting to work on time in the morning is important but if you live too far away you may find yourself struggling to get in on time in the morning. Set yourself a maximum distance to travel.
Work laws
Depending on your age, there are strict laws that restrict when you can and cannot work. There are also restrictions on the kind of work you can do and the number of hours you can work depending on your age. If you’re under 16 you can only work up to 8 hours a day in the holidays. See which rules apply to you.
Get skills
It's worth making a list of the skills you have. Also what are your interests? Do you already know the kind of work you'd like to do in later life or have some idea of the industry you'd like to work in? If so it might be worth looking for related work so that you can start to build useful skills. It may also be worthwhile looking for work related to your college work or the course you will be taking at Uni.
Get work
If you only want Saturday work, shops and restaurants or cafes are a good place to start looking. If you want to work in a shop, head for those that are always really busy on a Saturday and ask them!
Sometimes it’s all about who you know. It’s worth asking everyone you know to ask everyone they know if there are any jobs going at their work place.
Websites are also a good place to start and almost every business has one. Local papers are also a very good place to look as are notices on shop windows. Keep your eyes open!
Get experience
As well as jobs in shops or offices you could also look for wok that needs doing in your area. Some possible money making schemes could include baby sitting, dog walking, car washing, paper rounds or gardening.
Wherever you choose to work remember to stay safe. It’s also important to be informed on the laws surrounding minimum wages for teenagers.
Organisations such as Connexions can help you get your CV right and also have vacancies on their website plus more advice to get you on your way to earning some cash. Good luck!
