How Parents Can Help Teens Get Their First Job (& Cut the Apron Strings) by Megan Demmler

I manage a small business and every year we get teens applying for their first job. Lately, I experienced a new phenomenon: parents applying for their child. So here are a few tips to help your child succeed:

• Have them come in to pick up the application alone. Having mom or dad there holding their hand makes us think they aren't independent enough to work.

• Let them fill out the application. If they aren't committed enough to take five minutes to fill out the application, they aren't ready to work (and yes, we notice your meticulous handwriting paired with their chicken scratch bubble signature).

• Let them come into the interview alone. We aren't interested in hiring you; we are interested in hiring your child.

• Have them make follow-up calls and prepare them with questions.

If they land the job, please remember that it is theirs. All communication regarding the position, their schedule, time off, etc., should be handled by them. We will help guide them because we know this is all new to them, but learning how to handle things alone will help them become independent humans, who may finally take the initiative to clean their rooms without being asked.

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