Teens First Job

If you son is just turning 16 and this will be a first job then I would suggest Six Flags since you are in St. Louis. This provides employment that works around school schedule or other personal activities (sports, family vacations, etc.) without putting pressure on them. My son works at Worlds of Fun this year, which started out at the job fair they held in March. He thought he would be the low man on the totem pole and start out sweeping the grounds. The people doing the interviews have a way of drawing out the skills young adults have and they determined my son had the skills needed to fill the only position in the electronics maintenance area. Working at an amusement park also provides an outlet to expand the group of friends one has and allows them to have a bit of a social life while learning how to be an adult. Keep an eye out for job fairs like this around March.

Why not start today? A lawn mowing service he can do around the neighborhood, babysitting, pet sitting, snow shovel driveways in winter, care take houses while people are out on vacation.

1. He is going to need a skill to find a job.
2. He's going to need self-confidence to make an employer sit up and take notice of him.
3. He's going to need references.

The easiest way to do all the above is to start small around the neighborhood. If he's not motivated to do any of the above, GL trying to get him to find a job. PS lawn maintenance can be quite lucrative if he does it right ;)

He has plenty of time to decide what he might want to do. He should take this time to think about what summer job he would want and the pros and cons of each. If he wants a job in June he should call a month or so before he needs the job and ask when they are hiring for summer. The internet is a great place to keep tabs on who is hiring. Friends are a good source too, they can usually get other friends hired on and skipping some of the hiring process.

He should start applying the end of April or beginning of May. However, this can vary depending on what type of work and what industry.

He should have a resume prepared. And yes, practice interviewing.

It depends on how old your son is. Under 18, late April/early May will do just fine. If he is in college or is looking for an internship that is much more competitive and begins in January with the semester. The job market for teens in most places is limited by the economy, more experienced people are taking the jobs no one else wanted in the past. To avoid disappointment, have him research what jobs he can legally do in your area so he is not applying endlessly for jobs which he is ineligible for by age, student status, etc. the earlier he considers the type of position he wants to go after the more time he has to gain any experience or qualifications that might help him (CPR, for working in a nursing home, certification for lifegaurd, drivers license, etc.) Good luck!

I wish that I had helpful advice for you, but I must admit that I am in the same situation and am eager to read the responses!
However, I do like the idea of practicing for the interview!
K.