Summer Job Outlook Brighter for Teens
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CREDIT: Working Teen image via Shutterstock
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With the unemployment situation improving, a new report suggests teenagers will have an easier time finding work this summer than in recent years, when they were competing with experienced workers for jobs.
Following four years that saw numerous experienced employees added to the candidate pool, a survey by employment network Snagajob revealed that nearly 60 percent of hiring managers believe teens’ toughest job competition will be others just like them, up 6 percentage points from 2011.
In addition, nearly 30 percent of those surveyed think it will be easy for teens to snag a summer job this year, up 9 percentage points from two years ago.
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"There’s been pickup in the job market lately, and with that, the Snagajob summer job survey shows improving employer confidence," said Shawn Boyer, the company's chief executive officer. "However, teens who want a job should be aggressive and start looking as soon as possible."
Thirteen percent of hiring managers have already filled their summer positions, the study found, with another 11 percent finishing the process this month. All told, 79 percent of summer hiring will be completed by the end of May.
Employers are most interested in finding employees who are able to work the schedule that the manager needs. Other key in-demand traits include a positive attitude and previous experience in the specific job field.
The study was based on surveys of more than 1,000 hiring managers with responsibility for hiring summer employees paid by the hour.
Chad Brooks is a Chicago-based freelance business and technology writer who has worked in public relations and spent 10 years as a newspaper reporter. You can reach him at chadgbrooks@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @cbrooks76.