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Did you have a job when you were a teenager? No doubt, you remember the impact the job had on your life. No matter whether you were delivering newspapers to local residents by foot or you were cleaning up dishes at a local restaurant, it gave you the ability to earn your own cash, have a routine, and respect the value of money. It is arguably harder to encourage people to work from a young age in the current day and age, but this is not an excuse for failing to do so. Below, we take a look at the benefits of getting your teen to work, as well as providing some top tips on helping them find one.

Why should your teen work?

Build their confidence – Working is a great for your child, as it will build their self-reliance and confidence. They will develop a sense of responsibility as a young adult, and they will feel more independent.

Part-time jobs can result in lifelong careers – Any job, no matter whether it is at a local florists or a fast food restaurant, can spark inspiration and give your child a great start in life. This could be the start of their future. They may end up exploring a field that they never even considered before.

It teaches balance – Having a job and juggling schoolwork is an important life lesson about balance. It ensures your child is ready for an adult life that is full of responsibilities. After all, can you remember the last time you only had one thing to worry about?

Constructive use of free time – Work also guarantees a constructive use of your child’s free time. It keeps them busy and out of trouble.

They build connections – The importance of networking cannot be overlooked, and the younger a person starts, the better. The people we meet shape our lives and the paths we go down. You never know what opportunities could arise. Your child will benefit from references and a growing contact book.

Valuable work experience – Of course, valuable work experience is one of the main benefits associated with getting a job. Today, the job market tends to value experience over education.

Financial education – We may learn maths in school, but we rarely learn how to deal with our own finances. Once your children start earning their own money, the real lessons begin. And, it’s better for them to make a few financial hiccups now than later in the future when it really matters.

Life is more affordable – You can, no doubt, relate to this point. Children always want the latest clothing and electronics. Then there is the money to go out with their friends. Some families simply cannot afford this, plus it is important to encourage your child to pay for things themselves so that they can learn the true value of money. Having a job enables them to do this.

How to help your teen find a job:

Don’t do everything for them – It is important to remember that this is their job search. You should provide support, but you should not do it all for them. The job search in itself is a life lesson. Your children will learn all about applying for various roles, having interviews, and handling rejection too. These are vital life lessons.

Don’t be a job snob – Don’t expect your child to have a flash and fancy job. In fact, it is better if they have the opposite. You should encourage your child to take any job opportunity that comes their way, even if it is not perfect. After all, most opportunities aren’t! Fast food positions are great for teenagers. They are flexible and encourage hard work. Plus, they are excellent for building confidence, as your teen will be interacting with other people. Another benefit associated with working for companies like McDonalds is that there are so many opportunities for progression. This gives your child the chance to learn different things and opens various career options for the future. You can search for McDonalds application and job openings near you online. As McDonalds is a huge company with premises all over the world, you will find so much information online about what they are looking for and how to ace an interview. Encourage your child to do some research but, remember, don’t do it for them!

Promotes out of the box thinking – Last but not least, encourage your child to think out-of-the-box. Traditional employment can be difficult for teens, but there are plenty of other ways they can offer their services. This includes cleaning, pet sitting, dog walking, grocery shopping, cleaning and organizing garages and basements, and scanning photos and creating digital albums. The opportunities are endless, and this is a great way to encourage entrepreneurial thinking.