Why wait for summer to begin when you can get yourself #jobready NOW? Let’s get you started!

1. Build a resume – Don’t worry about not having any previous work experience. Focus on the skills you practice day to day in your current school, volunteer, team sports, and extracurricular activities. You may not see the relevance that playing on a school team has with bagging groceries at the local supermarket, but managers see the dedication, discipline, leadership, and team work involved in playing team sports.

2. Enroll in Summer Job Programs – City and State youth summer job programs are specifically designed for teens ages (14-18) with little to no work experience. These jobs are a gateway to career training and “earn while you learn” job opportunities. Applications become available in NOW to mid February and end in late May. Space is limited an applicants are accepted on a first come first serve basis. Make sure to Google Teen Summer Job Programs to find youth summer employment opportunities near you.

3. Start Collecting References – Now is the time to reach out to your teachers, coaches, and community leaders and ask for referral letters (also known as letters of recommendation) before the school year ends. You will need to present at least 3 of these referrals to any of the summer jobs you’re pursuing! Don’t wait until the last minute, collect your referrals NOW. These also come in handy when applying to colleges.

Good luck with your job hunt!