Homeschooled Kids: How to Get a Summer Job

Homeschoolers might have one disadvantage that those who go to regular school do not have when it comes to getting a summer job. Those who are at school everyday can have a better network of people that can help them getting a job.

This is not a crippling disadvantage, but it can make it a bit less likely to find the perfect job. There are many ways to make money over the summer. Unless they are illegal or immoral, homeschooled teens should look at none of them as being beneath them. Some might be boring. Some might be fun. Most will not pay much. The best pay will probably come from thinking outside the box.

Those who have a job were at one time looking for a job. The first step in getting a job is by applying anywhere that may have jobs open. With the current economy, many adults are working in jobs that they would not have even looked at just five or six years ago. These jobs include fast food and retail.

Some of these people will have vacations in the summer at the same time that school kids get out. Therefore, demand for goods might be higher with a smaller workforce. Take advantage of this and apply at anywhere that might have seasonal jobs.

One of the better parts about homeschooling is the larger network. Most of the people who go to school outside the home have a network that basically includes their friends at school. Those who have homeschooling frequently occupy parts of their days with community service or outside learning opportunities.

The people that homeschoolers meet while taking part in these activities can start to form a network. People at church or community organizations can also provide a network. If these people are in contact with local businesses, it might be just the contact needed to land a summer job.

Those who are able to land an interview for a summer job should take the opportunity seriously. Wearing holey jeans and wearing a ball cap is not a great idea.

Shower before the interview. Do not spray on too much perfume or cologne, as some interviewers might have scent allergies. Comb your hair. Wear dress clothes or a business suit. Those who are doing the hiring will be more impressed, and you will be in a better position to land the job than those who attempted to wear ratty shorts with an obscenity-laden t-shirt.

Some towns might not have much in the way of summer employment available. In these areas, teens who are homeschooled (or even those who are schooled at local public or private schools) will need to think outside the box. They might have to make up their own jobs.

This is where entrepreneurship can come into play. Working for one's self can lead to some good ideas for making money that do not actually require working for someone else. Put up an ad in businesses that have a bulletin board to advertise babysitting or lawn care services. At times, these can be fairly lucrative endeavors. It is also possible to frequent garage sales and then sell the spoils on eBay for a profit.

Working, whether as a sole proprietor or as an employee, can be beneficial in the long run. Most employers are looking for experience of some sort or another. Summer work can be the first step toward getting a good resume built up for future employment.

Also, people who get a job can better learn how to deal with people. The customer is always right (or at least 99.9 percent of the time), and it is important to learn customer service skills because just about everyone will have to deal with selling something at one point or another.