Teenage type part time jobs advertised everywhere, does your NOVA teen work part time? (Mount Vernon: sale, houses)

[Human Resources Expert]

It is amazing how many retail places all over NOVA are begging for workers. I am curious why they are struggling so hard to find workers in today's tough economy.

Does your teenager have a job if he or she wants one? Tell us his or her story looking for a part time job in Northern VA.

[ChristineVA]

Okay, I'll bite. Yes, my teen does have a part-time job but it is at a "dog resort." Both of my teens had terrible experiences getting retail jobs. Most of them did not want to hire from the under-18 set. My daughter, who is no longer a teen but a 21 year old college student finally did have success getting a retail job in a small town about 4 hours away.

I think it's been awful for teens to find jobs in this area.

[bykim5]

What about a cashier job? Seems like I only run into teenage cashiers these days.. Best Buy, local Giant, Kmart..Target

[Human Resources Expert]

I go to all the local malls such as Tysons, Fair Oaks and strip malls and see tons of kids working there. Nearly everyone has a sign that says HELP WANTED.

I agree though many of the jobs teens used to do are now done by immigrant adults. And most places would rather hire someone over 18.

[smarterguy]

I'm 30 now, but finding a job from ages 16-20 was next to impossible. Burger King and McDonalds were hiring for less than 5 or 6 bucks an hour so the gas to drive there and the limited hours I could work due to school didn't make it worth it. Ha, make $20-24/day before taxes? I could find things at the junk yard and sell them on Ebay and make more money.

[Yankeesfan]

Originally Posted by smarterguy

I could find things at the junk yard and sell them on Ebay and make more money.

Two of my kids have made quite a lot of money through Ebay and other online sale sites.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by smarterguy

I'm 30 now, but finding a job from ages 16-20 was next to impossible. Burger King and McDonalds were hiring for less than 5 or 6 bucks an hour so the gas to drive there and the limited hours I could work due to school didn't make it worth it. Ha, make $20-24/day before taxes? I could find things at the junk yard and sell them on Ebay and make more money.

I'm 37 now and had no problem finding jobs in the summer or school year. Come to think of it, I don't recall ever not getting a call back when submitting an application. Fast food, grocery store cashier, snack stand, retail, pharmacy. I did it all, starting when I was 15. I guess I felt like I didn't have a choice, as my parents did not provide me any spending money.

[cdmurphy]

A lot of teens in my neighborhood work at our town center - Harris Teeter, California Tortilla, Coldstone, Caribou Coffee, Go Bananas (toy store), Regal Cinema. It's easy for them to get to work (walk or short drive from home, short walk from the high school). A lot of teens work for themselves as babysitters, dog walkers, housesitters... and they make good money too.

My first paying job (Kansas City, age 15) was in a bowling alley nursery. I still have the photocopy of my first ever paycheck. They promised me that I could move up to the snack bar when I turned 16, but I didn't last that long. I jumped ship to a florist where there no little kids yelling and screaming and needing their diapers changed.

[CAVA1990]

It may be easier in some areas than others. I've heard a lot of adults are taking kid jobs out in the exurbs but here in the inner suburbs my kids have never had much difficulty finding work whenever they wanted it, before, during or after the recession. They either worked in Old Town or here in Mount Vernon. They usually got jobs through friends.

[kevbros]

I see lots of help wanted signs around Old Town. Every kid I know who wants to work has a job, but they don't work very many hours - like just Saturday for four hours. Lots of kids just don't have time to work. The big money for teens around here is in summer dog walking.