Getting a job during high school can be oddly liberating. You no longer have to rely on your parents for money to spend with your friends on the weekend. Also, if your parents do not have the money or will not buy you something expensive, you have your own money to save up for whatever you want. However, there are some things you definitely need to consider before taking your first job.

Do You Have the Time? – High school can be overwhelming. From homework and tests, to extracurricular activities and sports, it is difficult to find the time for anything else. You should really consider whether you have the time to get a job. The last thing you want is for your grades to fall because you didn’t complete your homework the night before because you were working. If you do not have the time during the school year, consider getting a job during summer vacation when you have more time.

Are You Willing to Work on the Weekends? – Many jobs that high school students are able to get are in retail or something similar. Having to work the weekend usually comes with a part time job. If you are not willing to give up your weekends and only want to work during the week, make sure your employer knows this beforehand. However, the weekends might be your best option for not interfering with school so you should definitely consider whether it will be beneficial for you to work at least one day (or night) on the weekend.

Consider a Low Key Job – Working somewhere such as a library or local small retailer (mom and pop store) where you may be able to get some of your homework done after school. At a low key job, employers typically do not mind whether you do some other work during slow times. However, if you do get a job at a similar location, make sure that you ask your employer if it would be okay before actually doing it. Always checking with your employer first is the best practice in any work situation.

Consider Taking an Unpaid Internship – Nobody really wants to do work and not get paid for it, but this could be a really great experience for you. Having work experience in an area you are interested in can be beneficial when you interview for other jobs throughout your college career. Employers may be impressed that you had such great experience at a young age. If you are not desperate for money, an unpaid internship may be one of your best options.

Do You Have a Way to Get to Your Job? – Your parents may be one of the biggest players in you getting a job during high school. If you are not yet able to drive or do not have your own car, you have to make sure you have your own ride to and from your job. Sometimes you can take a school bus route that may run past your job and have your parents pick you up once your work hours are finished for the day. Be sure to check with your parents before applying for any jobs. Also find out what days would work best for them if they have to drive you.

These are just a few things that should be considered before you apply for your first job. It is great to have your own money and a sense of greater responsibility, but it can be difficult to juggle your time at such a young age. Be sure to check out our Geezeo article about 5 Ways to Pay Your Way Through College.

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With unemployment numbers on the rise, it is becoming more and more important to make your resume work for you. You want to put down on paper what you want employers to remember about you. Making your resume interesting and different is not easy, but there are a few things you can do.

1. Include Everything Possible
A resume is meant to be to the point, but you still want to include everything you possibly can. Do not leave something out just because you think the experience is unrelated to a job you may be applying for. Employers might find you more interesting and rounded if you have worked all types of jobs. Do not leave off something such as working in the retail environment just because you might not find it to be relevant. Having a greater variety on your resume could really help show off all your abilities and skills. Some things you should include are your education (including academic honors, awards, etc.), work experience, and skills/interests. If there are other aspects of yourself you want to include, don’t hesitate as long as they are relevant.

2. Be Specific
Making sure you include as many details in your resume is also important. Don’t just say that you worked for xx company, make sure you say what you did there, projects you completed, how you made improved things, etc. Any time you are able to quantify aspects of your job on your resume will be beneficial to you. Something as simple as “counted cash balances in registers at the beginning and end of the day” gives your resume more detail and makes it look more impressive. The fact that your company entrusted you with company money is an important sign of trust.

3. Keep it to One Page
Some people have too many work experiences and other areas of interest to include on their resume which makes it difficult to keep to one page. However, it is best practice to keep your resume down to one page so that your interviewer does not need to flip pages while interviewing you. With all the resume’s that they collect, if they put it in a binder it will be much easier if they are able to see your entire resume and information in one glance.

4. Have Someone Else Look it Over
There are always spelling mistakes and other areas that you may have missed, having someone else take a look at it can be extremely beneficial. If you are in high school or college, your guidance or career counselor will gladly look over your resume and give you some advice on where it can be corrected. If you are able to, in college it is really great to take a resume and memo writing class to help you improve on your business writing.

Your resume is one of the first glances an employer may get of you and could possibly be one of only things they see about you before the offer you a job. Make sure that you are perfecting your resume to work for you in order to get that first round interview that you need to show your true colors. In such tough times with limited job opportunities, you really want to go through several rough drafts before submitting your resume. There are always things that can be changed and perfected. For further advice, be sure to check out What’s Your Resume Worth? and 6 Things to Remember When Applying for Jobs.

$6,000 could go a long way toward reducing your debt. Win this or other great prizes in the Great Geezeo Bailout! Collect points every day.

Photo: Alvimann