How teens can land a Saturday job this summer, earn cash and boost their CV

The Sun

3 days ago

SCHOOL'S out for summer and thousands of teenagers are looking for ways to earn extra cash.
Traditionally, young people took on a Saturday job to make money, but increasing levels of employer regulation have made it harder for firms to hire under-18s.
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The last survey on Saturday work carried out in 2020 found only a quarter of 16 and 17-year-olds had a regular job, down from 48 per cent in 1997. And experts think the figure is even lower now.
However, weekend working helps young people build skills, improves their CV and helps them get 'work ready' for when they leave school or college.
While finding a Saturday job is undoubtedly harder than it used to be, it's not impossible. To help, we've teamed up with expert Natalie Ellis from Rebox HR to share her expert advice.
She said: 'Saturday jobs have long been a rite of passage for teens in the UK, offering pocket money and valuable life skills.'
Here's how to find work as a 16 or 17-year-old . . .
Start with a CV: There are lots of free templates online. Include any voluntary work, school or weekend clubs you attend plus any events you have helped organise. Add in two people who can act as a referee — perhaps a teacher or someone in a position of authority you have helped.
Look digitally: Job sites such as Indeed or Reed are brilliant for finding local opportunities. Social media platforms, especially Nextdoor and local community groups on Facebook, can be goldmines for job postings.
Look locally: Don't dismiss traditional methods. Local newspapers and notice boards often advertise positions not listed online.
Check shop windows and local businesses as many smaller establishments still prefer the personal touch of a walk-in application.
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Your school careers service may have links with local employers who understand the legal framework for employing young people.
Being proactive gets results: Employers love people who are motivated. Don't be shy about dropping off your CV at local shops, cafés and businesses.
Get networking: Consider attending local networking events where business owners gather. It might feel intimidating at first but remember that about 80 per cent of jobs are never formally advertised. These personal connections can lead to opportunities you'd never find online.
Sign up to LinkedIn: A LinkedIn profile can help you network professionally, even at a young age. It shows employers you are serious about your career path.
Make your application stand out: With competition for Saturday jobs fierce, you need to make your application memorable.
Tailor your CV and cover letter for each position rather than sending generic applications.
Even with limited experience, highlight transferable skills from school projects, sports teams or hobby groups.
Show genuine enthusiasm and a willingness to learn: Employers value attitude over experience for entry-level positions. In your cover letter emphasise your flexibility within any legal parameters. This approach can reassure employers that hiring you won't be a legal minefield.
Understanding pay and employment rights: If you are 16 or 17, you are legally classified as a 'young worker' under UK law and there are specific protections designed to safeguard your wellbeing and education.
If you are above school leaving age, you must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage for your age bracket. Don't accept roles that offer less, as this would be illegal.
You are also entitled to a 30-minute break if your working day exceeds four and a half hours, 12 hours rest between working days, and two days' rest each week.
Night work is generally prohibited for young workers, with exceptions for certain industries such as hospitality and retail.
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Sophie's Saturday job set her up
SOPHIE CROOME started her career at the age of 16 with a Saturday job at Nando's in Addlestone, Surrey.
After studying History at the University of Southampton, she returned to work with the company and is now a supervisor in the chicken chain's Farnham restaurant.
Sophie, 22, said: 'Having a part-time job definitely improved my confidence. Before working, I found it difficult to talk to people in public, including waitresses or shop assistants.
'It also taught me a lot about the value of money. It was so nice finally having my own money to treat myself with, but it made me realise that every penny counts and I was more careful in what I bought.
'I recommend teens getting Saturday work as it helps them develop skills such as health and safety, communications, or creating relationships with other people from different backgrounds.'
How to date in office
THE fallout from the Coldplay kisscam video has seen married CEO Andy Byron forced to resign after he was caught in an embrace with his company's head of HR.
But with three in five workers admitting to at least one office affair, what can companies do to protect themselves?
Kate Palmer, at Peninsula law firm, says: 'When you hold a senior position at work, your actions are scrutinised. You might not be breaking the law, but you'll be held to account on your moral standpoint too.'
Here's her top tips . . .
ACCEPT RELATIONSHIPS WILL HAPPEN: Employers can't stop relationships. What they can do is manage how they are handled and the impact they have on the wider workplace.
HAVE A POLICY: Set out your expectations. Do you require employees to declare relationships and, if so, at what stage does this happen? What steps will you take to ensure appropriate behaviour in the workplace and how will you manage confidentiality and sharing of information when it comes to 'pillow talk'?
MITIGATE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: This is particularly important if one employee is in a position of seniority over the other. There could be allegations of favouritism if they have control over pay or promotions. Some companies have a rule that employees cannot be on the same team if they're in a romantic relationship.
MANAGE GOSSIP: Remind employees that spreading rumours about other employees' relationships is unacceptable. Everyone has a right to privacy and there is a fine line between 'banter' and harassment.
BE READY FOR BREAK-UPS: It's important that employers look to minimise fallout. This is where a policy around employees having to be on different teams can really make a difference.
REMEMBER SEXUAL HARASSMENT: Unwanted attention, unreciprocated affection or reluctance to accept a break-up can all lead to serious issues if employers do not manage this properly.
AI 'summer slop'
ALMOST half of workers are now using AI at work, up from 32 per cent last year.
But there is a danger that relying on the wrong tools for the job, such as when speeding through admin, can lead to poor-quality work.
And with teams under extra pressure as colleague take summer holidays, tech experts are warning of a phenomenon called 'summer slop', where overuse of AI produces generic, low-quality work.
Charlie O'Brien, from Breathe HR, said: 'Using AI to streamline low-brainpower tasks and maximise productivity is savvy.
'Using AI without thinking and creating lazy AI slop is quite another. We should never sacrifice quality at the altar of AI, even when we're in a rush.'
Gen Z's 2nd jobs
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THE continuing cost-of-living crisis means that one in five Gen Z and one in nine millennials are working at least two jobs, new research reveals.
The study from employee benefits platform Boostworks also found that half of millennials and 44 per cent of Gen Z staff say that financial stress directly affects their ability to concentrate at work.
Jo Werker, CEO at Boostworks, said: 'Young workers are taking on second jobs because they simply can't make ends meet. It's draining, mentally, physically and financially.'
The report also suggested that three-quarters of Gen Z staff were looking to their employer for help with financial education and planning tools.