Getting a first job is a point that marks a life change for teens and one that can help them face their future as adults. Teens are on the fine line between wanting to be treated like adults and still needing guidance. Parents may think that cutting spending money is the perfect way to help their child become independent and when the time comes for them to leave the house, but there are better and more positive ways to help them at this critical time.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Motivate Teenagers
Step 1. Get your child interested in the idea of finding a job
Before you start motivating or encouraging your teen to find a job, you have to get them interested in the idea. Most teens will ask the reason for everything until they are satisfied with the answer.
Usually, it's not because teens are "lazy" or that they don't want to do what is asked of them, but rather a need to have a personal connection to the motivation, the reason why they do it or why they are asked to do it
Step 2. Think of some ideas to motivate your teen
For teenagers, the reasons that can motivate them to want to get a job include:
- Opportunity to gain valuable work experience.
- Opportunity to improve interpersonal skills.
- Opportunity to learn new skills such as time management and more.
- The freedom to have your own spending money which teaches additional skills like responsibility and budget management.
Step 3. Try to understand any concerns or concerns your teen may have
Teens who show no interest in work may not actually be lazy, but they may be dealing with other problems.
- Teens who are actively playing sports or trying to excel in school realistically don't have enough free time to pursue low-paying part-time jobs, and may not want their previous commitments to be sacrificed. Children with overcrowded schedules often overwhelm themselves and can't find ways to add other activities to their already very busy schedule.
- Another problem may be low self-esteem. Teens don't want to try to get a job because they already feel like no one will want them. For them, preparation will be crucial because rejection can plunge them into depression and hopelessness.
Step 4. Help your teen to face fears
Most children will have some sort of fear because this process is new to them. As a parent, it's important that you separate normal fear and anxiety from laziness, and then move on with that understanding.
Part 2 of 3: Helping Teens Find Work
Step 1. Research the child labor laws in your country
If your child is a minor (in most countries it is 18 years), help them to do some research on child labor laws in your country so that you will get an idea of how many hours they are allowed to work, what hours are their work restrictions and other legal information such as wages., holidays, and more.
- This not only helps you know when your child will be working but also helps them to better prepare for the interview process.
- You also need to find out if they need a work permit before starting work.
Step 2. Help your child find out where there are job openings
Most places offer information online but others require you to come and ask yourself. Ask your teen if he'd like you to accompany him to do this-he might want you to wait in the car or he might want to do it himself.
Set reasonable goals with your child and then make sure they meet those goals. Asking children to get five pieces of information a day is not an exaggeration
Step 3. Let the child make their own proposal
This is the hard part. Teenagers must make their own proposals. Answer their questions and explain everything if they have a problem but don't stand there watching when they do and don't offer to help make a proposal for them. It will ruin the whole process.
- Remember, it's not you trying to get a job. Let them look for the information on their own but provide some clues where they can find it.
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Step 4. Help your child compile a personal resume
Most teen resumes will contain nothing but educational information, and that's fine. The key is to teach the process of creating and then updating a resume.
If you haven't already, use a resume creation program or template to make this process easier (most typing programs have this functionality built in)
Encourage Your Teenager to Get a Job Step 9 Step 5. Talk to your teen about the possibility of being rejected
Before your child submits an application, talk about rejection. Remind them that almost no one gets a job on their first attempt, and that they will likely miss out on many of the jobs they apply for. However, in time they will be called for an interview.
Encourage Your Teenager to Get a Job Step 10 Step 6. Offer to help prepare for the interview
When your teen gets a call for an interview, you should cover the basics of the interview process with them. Give tips on what clothes to wear but don't go overboard with the smallest details. Offer to practice interviews with your child so they can get a feel for what they're up against.
- Ask questions they are likely to encounter during the interview and let them answer the questions as they see fit. When you're done, review the rehearsal of the interview with them. Do they think the interview went well? What do they think could be improved?
- While it may be tempting to correct every little thing that you think is “wrong,” wait for them to ask before you make suggestions. Part of this process is learning to fail with your head held high and with dignity. Teenagers will never learn that if they know that you are always going to come in and take care of things for them.
Encourage Your Teenager to Get a Job Step 11 Step 7. Be enthusiastic but realistic about the opportunities they have
It's important to be positive about your child's chances of getting a job, but don't overdo it. You have to be realistic but try not to sound desperate and gloomy.
- Teens need to know what realities they will face: adults who can work more hours in the same place, teenagers with better writing skills, better appearances and better interviewing skills.
- Remind kids that most of it is out of their control – they can't change the competition at work but they can be the best they can be and that's good enough.
Encourage Your Teenager to Get a Job Step 12 Step 8. Don't punish your teen if they can't find a job
Remind children of the goals they set for themselves and what they are working on, but don't withhold pocket money or cut all their allowance thinking that will be the key.
- Punishing your child will harm you and in this critical developmental period, your child will think that your love is conditional. This can have an impact on their self-esteem and can make them stop trying.
- Your job as a parent is to raise healthy, happy and mature children who are moving towards adulthood while still having happiness and positive energy within them.
Part 3 of 3: Dealing with Teens Who Reluctant to Work
Encourage Your Teenager to Get a Job Step 13 Step 1. Establish ground rules for difficult teens
Some teens will resist any attempt and will do so by rolling their eyes, talking behind your back and even showing direct disrespect.
- The most important thing is to remind your child that even though they are almost adults, they still live in your home and must follow the rules set at home and help with household chores.
- Arrange a serious meeting with your child and set an agenda. Take a firm but loving approach and tell them that you don't want that behavior again from them and that they will follow the plan to work.
Encourage Your Teenager to Get a Job Step 14 Step 2. Give the child a time limit to develop their work plan
For example: “I will be looking for 5 job openings by the end of this week. I will follow up on 2 jobs by the end of next week.” Don't criticize their plans unless it's obvious that they're not putting in the slightest effort.
Encourage Your Teenager to Get a Job Step 15 Step 3. Tell them the consequences they will face
At this point, the words of the experts should be forgotten. If you can't motivate your child by generating a sense of pride or responsibility, strike at a point that will cost them.
- For example, you could tell your child, "If you can't meet that goal, you won't be paying your cell phone bill for a month." Some postpaid phones can turn off numbers for a short period of time – so if you have to do so you won't be penalized.
- When your child has to use their cell phone for social or school-related purposes, they will pay attention to what you are trying to convey.
Encourage Your Teenager to Get a Job Step 16 Step 4. Keep your teen busy at home
If you just let your kids laze on the couch when they're at home and don't offer any help, then you'll come across as indecisive.
- Give them tasks outside of what they normally do and tell them that if they want to stay home without work then they have to do more homework.
- Sometimes a week of doing some heavy-duty housework is more than enough to get even the most reluctant teen up and out of the house looking for work.
Tips
Some teens just need a little encouragement or guidance. They have already mapped out their future and know that part of the plan is to get a job and keep it. They also know that they need a job to help pay for the extra costs
