DETROIT – School's out and many teenagers are hitting the wants ads for the first time.
Employment experts tell Ruth to the Rescue it's never too late to start looking for work if you're interested in making extra money and getting invaluable work experience.
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While the job search can be intimidating, it can also be exciting.
"When I got my first job, I wasn't really nervous. I was excited," said Veunita Garrison, an aspiring film director who attends Specs Howard School of Media Art.
She's among the lucky young people who are part of the the Grow Detroit's Young Talent program this summer. The program matches teens with local businesses that are willing to provide a six week work experience. The program also offers guidance on how to succeed in the workplace.
Ruth to the Rescue went to one of the program's directors to get some guidance on how teenagers can make themselves more marketable, even if they don't have any work experience.
Where to start?
"That starts with just getting the word out, letting people know that you're looking. That you're interested. That you're enthusiastic and eager," said Shuna Howard, the Senior Program Director for City Connect Detroit.
She also said that making a good impression on a prospective employer starts much earlier than many teenagers may realize.
"Don't go out asking for the application in your T-shirt and jeans. Look the role. Be impressive to the person. Put on your button-down shirt, put on your slacks. Go out and impress from the moment you set foot in that establishment."
Students without work experience should be prepared to highlight how accomplishments in school make them a good employee. You can highlight things you've already done that show you have the qualities employers are seeking, such as responsibility, being on time, and being able to start and finish projects. She says you should highlight your successes at school.
"You really want to highlight any activities you've been involved in, any accomplishments that you've gotten, any awards or achievements," Howard said.
Another good piece of advice: assemble a list of references before you start your search. Howard says it can be intimidating to reach out to adults, but it's something that will help put you ahead of other job candidates.
"Simply pick up the phone, call a teacher, call a principal, a mentor, someone from your church that can speak highly of you," she said.
Peer advice
Two young people who've already been through their first job experiences shared some of the lessons they learned with Ruth to the Rescue.
"I'd say, don't say no. Say yes, because it's your first job. You want to get that first experience in, you don't want to be too picky," said Akello Karamoko, a part-time student at Henry Ford Community College.
While you don't want to be too picky with that first job, Garrison said finding a position in your field of interest can make the work experience more enjoyable.
"I noticed the jobs that was doing something I likes, didn't feel like a job. It felt like I was having fun and making money," Garrison said.
She also said that going on a lot of interviews can help you improve your skills. She remembered doing her first interview.
"I was really nervous when I did that interview and I didn't get the job... The more you do it, the better you'll get and it won't hurt as much," Garrison said.
Grow Detroit's Young Talent
The program Grow Detroit's Young Talent is a citywide summer jobs program that employees young adults between the ages of 14 and 24. The organization hopes to offer young people invaluable exposure to the world of work. It's a collaborative effort between the City of Detroit, City Connect, Detroit Employment Solutions, and the Skillman Foundation.
In 2014, GDYT expects to place more than 5,000 teens in summer jobs, but they had more than 17,000 applications. The group can always use more businesses willing to step up and offer young people marketable skills and a taste of life in the world of work.
To learn more about the program, go to gdyt.org