Part Time Work is Tougher to Find

The job market is changing. Well, we didn't have to tell you that. But recently the Fort Mill Times reported just how things are changing, particularly restaurants. They asked local restaurant managers about the situation in Fort Mill:

The food industry, typically an area where part-time work is available, has been closing its doors to new workers in recent months.

... Although many food service workers are high school or college age, there has been a recent shift in the types of people applying for part-time work, according to Patel. Many of the applications Subway has received come from people with full-time jobs looking for extra work on the side. Some come from people who have been laid off from corporate offices, Patel said.

This just means that those of you seeking out hourly jobs need to be on your game too.

"What the employers are looking for is the right attitude," Stone said. "Is this person going to be a good fit, or an irritant? If the people at the counter don't care if you're there, they're not going to keep their jobs."

This news isn't so that you will panic but realize that there is some competition out there, even for part-time employment. The story even tells accounts of some places getting up to 4,000 resumes from walk-ins in one day. It just requires a little more effort on the job seeker's part and fine-tuning of your job search strategies.

Read the full article from Fort Mills Times.

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- Rosie Reilman, Photo by Bob Jagendorf

Finding Balance Between School and Your Job

Sadly, summer is coming to an end. If you took our advice on how to pick a summer job then you're probably now trying to decide whether or not to keep that job throughout the school year. It can be tough juggling a job between sports, friends and other extracurricular but it can be done. So here are some tips for finding some balance between school, work and life:

Pick the Right Job
Maybe the job you had this past summer was good for all the free time that you had, but it might not be ideal for work hours. Talk with your manager about what he or she has available during the school year. Also be sure to know what hours you're legally allowed to work if you're under 18. I'd suggest that you try and stick with the same job if you can but if you're working a seasonal job or the hours won't work for your school schedule then you might have to find something that is a little more flexible.

Just keep in mind not only your other responsibilities but be able to catch up on sleep to be able to still focus on your school work. It may not feel important now but getting through school should be your first priority. It can get pretty crazy if you end up committing to too many hours. You might want to try starting out with a lower number of hours and adding them on once you get comfortable with how your schedule is.

Be Someone People Can Count On
This means make a schedule and stick to it. Your employer wants to know that you'll be there when you commit to your hours. Your teacher expects you to get your assignments done and turned in. You can only call in sick a few times before you are at risk of losing your job or getting really far behind in classwork. If things get overwhelming then you can cut back on some of things you're involved with - even if it means your work hours.

You don't have to do all work and no play. Definitely make time with friends or chatting on Facebook - whatever you do that lets you unwind. But just remember to keep your priorities straight. If you say you're going to work, then you should work. Exercise a little discipline when those America's Next Top Model marathons come on. Don't let TV or other things distract you if you need to be studying. This discipline and ability to juggle many different time consuming things will help with your time management and project management skills for later on when you're looking to start your career. If you can show your part-time job employer, your teacher, parents and friends that you are someone that they can count on, you'll be that much ahead of the game. When you're ready to really start looking for a full time job, you'll have that many more people to use as references to attest to your great time management skills or reliability.


That Which Doesn't Kill Us, Only Makes Us Stronger
Ok so that is a little bit dramatic but Kanye West's song 'Stronger' has some truth to it. There will be days when you've got about 5 million things that have to be done a the same time. You'll want to quit just about everything and hide away and become a hermit. Again, a little bit dramatic, but there will be hard times. Some days you'll want to just hit the snooze button one more time.

Just remember: you've got a paycheck coming. Your friends will be the ones bumming a couple bucks off of you and you'll be able to get that new iPod you've been wanting. Of course if your always miserable and unable to handle your set schedule it might be time to reevaluate your priorities and cut back on some things. But the thing to remember is that work isn't always fun. It can but, sure. But every so often when you feel like it's too much, just think about all the great experience that you'll be able to use later on. Either that or you'll be able to use your paycheck money for a sweet vacation during spring break.



- Rosie Reilman

A Minor Issue: Teens Get Ready for Your Summer Job by Knowing Labor Laws

Before you hit the websites and the streets looking for the perfect place to get your fall wardrobe money and weekend spending cash, you'll want to know the ins and outs of child labor laws in our state. Ok, maybe you don't need a thorough knowledge but it's good information to have when looking. Knowing what your restrictions are for your age will help you pick a job that will earn you cash and still leave you time to spend with your friends. Lucky for you, I did some research for you on some of the restrictions that go along with being a teenager looking for work.

Our government does not require any restrictions for working but states generally do and they vary. Make sure to check out Youth Rules website from the Department of Labor if you're outside of North or South Carolina.

If you're …

13 and younger:
You're out of luck. People under 14 really don't have much allowance to get a job. However, some positions like minor chores in private households, babysitting, acting or theatrical jobs or working on a farm are permitted by the state. South Carolina laws are pretty much the same, they just indicate that it's ok to deliver newspapers for those under 14. South Carolina also allows for restrictions to be waived for jobs that are at businesses completely operated and owned by your parent or guardian.

14-15 years old:
You can work outside of school hours in non-manufacturing and non-hazardous employment. The state allows for up to 18 hours a week while school is in session for no more than 3 hours per school day (including Friday) or up to 8 hours on a Saturday or Sunday. During the summer when school isn't in session you can work up to 40 hours a week and 8 hours a day. You're allowed to work from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Between June 1 and Labor Day, the hours extend to 9 p.m.

16-17 years old:
There are less restrictions on the actual places you can work, the only one that is required is you have to work in a non-hazardous environment. The state also restricts you to work between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. but this can be waived by a parent or guardian if circumstances require otherwise.

In North Carolina, if you've been offered a job and are under 18, you'll need to complete and have a Youth Employment Certificate (YEC). For more information and documents click here. As far as I can tell, South Carolina does not require minors to have specific work papers or certificate, just that they provide proper identification (ex: birth certificate or social security card).

If you're unclear or have more questions check out North Carolina Department of Labor or South Carolina Department of Labor for more information. While it's kind of a drag to have to be restricted in your work hours, it's really so that you can focus on your school work and then plunge into the workforce. Trust me, you'll be glad you have the state backing you up. Some of us seasoned workers probably wish that the government would restrict us from working sometimes. But knowing what you can do will help you find the right summer job or first job for you.

- Rosie Reilman, Photo by Leslie Duss