How to Find a Part-Time Job as a High School Student

Are you a high school student struggling to get some extra cash in your pocket? Well if you are then perhaps it's time to consider getting a part-time job. In most states you can start applying for jobs at 16, but if you're younger than that you can get a permit from a parent to work or you can start working on your own being your own boss. In this article I am going to talk about 5 ways in which you can find a part-time job for yourself while being a high school student.

- Consider starting your own business
Starting your own business is probably something that you don't think you have time for or the skills for, but this is wrong! Just make a list of some of your skills and then find a way to monetize them. Get some cheap advertising done such as putting up flyers or making some phone calls to get your first customers. Then encourage referrals for which you will give a certain percentage off to the person who referred you someone in the future on a product or service. Starting your own business is the perfect thing to do while in high school. Just think of how many students would pay you a dollar or two to customize their MySpace profiles or whom would pay for videos, cd's, and software. Get an idea and start up!

- Local Newspaper Ads
If you know that you're good at certain things then consider posting an ad for yourself in the classifieds section of your newspaper. List what kind of job you're looking for and give a good description of what you know how to do. You can also do this in online newspaper classifieds pages such as craigslist.com.

- Word of Mouth
Do you have friends who already have jobs? Do your parents know of people who can get you jobs? Well if your answer to any of those two questions is yes then consider asking them and getting their help or advice in getting a job for yourself. Listen to what your peers or family have to tell you then go out and get an application as soon as possible. Remember to make a good impression during your interview as this is what will most likely determine if you get the job; be interested, be informed, be formal and professional, and smile and nod a lot.

- Ask For Applications At The Mall
Do you like the mall? Well of course you do right, who doesn't? Mall's are usually hiring temp workers during the holiday seasons and then those temps have the ability to stay on full time sometimes. Go to the mall and ask for applications at your favorite stores, then fill out some applications and turn them in early. Don't forget to give call backs and ask for the status of your application about 2 days after your interview or after you've turned it in; since stores are getting busy around this season they sometimes overlook applications.

- Ask Your Counselors
Counselors are usually very good sources of information. If you're having trouble finding a job for yourself visit your counselor and let him/her know that you're looking for a job and that you're having a hard time. They may be able to refer you to someone they know, help you out with your resume, or even help you out by writing you a letter of recommendation. Don't underestimate the powers of your counselor. Senior counselors will usually know about good paying internships also, so go ask them ASAP!