When you go about looking for that first job, it’s important to address a few issues first.  Firstly, why are you getting a job?  And secondly, what are the available options to you.  It’s important to think about these things because they can help you greatly in finding a job.  When you think about why you are getting a job, it will translate into what type of job you should be looking for.  For example, if you're getting a job to kill some time during the day and make a little extra cash, a simple retail job is probably a good choice.  It’s also important to think about what is available to you. If you live near a mall, or a restaurant, try those. 

Convenience will pay off.  You need to think about how you will be getting to work, and whether something like an hour drive or bike commute is worth it.  Once you fully address these two issues, you can begin your search!
 
CONNECTIONS
The first thing you should think about is using your personal connections.  Maybe your friend’s father is the manager at a sports store, or your brother works at the restaurant down the street.  Use these people, and ask them nicely if there is any way they can help you in getting a job.  This can be the best and easiest way to land a job or internship.  When you go the regular route and apply at a bunch of different places, you could find it very tiresome, time-consuming, and ultimately unsuccessful.  Using your connections can extend much further than you might think, like applying to work at your school-run camp, or applying to other jobs run by people you know well.

PERSISTENCE
The second thing to utilize is persistence.  Make sure you use this in a nice way, like calling every other day to check in on the status of your application, asking if there’s anything else you can do to help you get the job, or by actually showing up and asking to have some time with the manager.  If you are careful not to come off as nagging and annoying, but rather motivated and driven, this can have wonderful results.

INGENUITY
The final important feature to utilize is ingenuity.  What this means is looking for jobs in areas that others might not.  Go to stores and ask if they have openings, even when they don't advertise them.  don't just go through the motions like everyone else, or you will rarely succeed.  To get that dream job, you have to try harder and in a different way, you have to distinguish yourself from all the other applicants.  (See “Interview Skills”).

If you can fully use your connections, persistence, and ingenuity to your advantage, you will be miles ahead of other applicants, and you will have distinguished yourself.  If you use this strategy, it could help you get some challenging and interesting jobs, instead of simple, boring jobs.  While getting an internship can often be easier, this strategy will serve you well there too. 

WHY WORK?
Many of you may be wondering why it is so important to get a job or internship when you have the chance, and how it will really affect you in the long run.  It’s simple.  As a mid-teen or even late teen, more is expected of you.  It is time to start living more responsibly, and the choices you make now will have a direct effect on your life later on.  Imagine two candidates leaving colleges and applying for a job.  One had only a brief experience as a cashier, and a telemarketer because he preferred to spend his summers relaxing.  The other had completed two directed internships, had been a mentor, had volunteered at 4 or 5 charitable organizations, had worked extensively as a teenager, and currently was a part time employee at his college as well as a student.  It’s no mystery which candidate the employer would hire.  Experience becomes a part of you forever, and almost every experience you could have in the job-force will be a positive, life-building one. Experience is the most important reason why.

The second most important reason to consider is money.  Teenagers work for many different reasons, but there are no really good reasons not to work.  It can help you out no matter what your situation.  The simple matter of it is, if you work you get money, and most of you probably thoroughly enjoy money. Even if money isn't an issue for you, working in some capacity is a good idea.  If you have money saved up, why not save up more, or earn money so you can by all the stuff you want?  College is also a huge reason to begin saving your money.  Many of you will pay for your own education. If you don't want to be paying off student loans until you retire, it’s never too early to begin saving.

The Real Question: Why Not?
Finding a job isn't always easy, but use your parents and friends for help.  Look for jobs everywhere, and you're sure to run across more than one option that interests you.  When you start looking for a job remember to PLAN AHEAD.  If you start looking a week or a month ahead of other applicants, it can often make getting a job far simpler. Throughout this process remember that you are young. You shouldn't expect too much, but if you try hard enough, you're almost to sure to find a job that can be fun and profitable!