09 | October | 2019 | Plaid Line

Now that we teens are getting older, we start to feel the need to have money. Our parents can only cover for so much of our impulse buys, so they stop buying them for us. They tell you that you need a job. A job, I know. Never in a million years did I think I’d hear that sentence so soon. To get a job, you need to apply for one.

Here are the common steps you’ll take to apply for a job.

1) Find local businesses that are hiring

Image taken from: https://searchengineland.com/google-local-business-cards-posts-roll-thousands-smbs-257025

Go around your town, or city, and look for businesses that are hiring. Very often they will have a sign outside the store saying that they are hiring. You should be more interested in local businesses because they usually are more likely to hire you and pay more than corporate organizations.

2) What you need

Image taken from: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/Pages/new-driver-licenses-id-cards.aspx

Besides a good attitude and a firm handshake, things that you legally need to bring when you’re going to apply for a job are: a form of ID (school ID, Gov ID), your social security card, and any other form of identification. Also, you need to be 16 years of age or older (usually).

3) Ask for an application

Image taken from: https://www.formspdf.com/the-importance-of-employment-application-pdf/

For most businesses, you can walk inside and ask any worker for an application. They will get you an application or direct you to where you can find one. Applications are normally a paper packet but at some corporate businesses they are online. On these applications you would fill out your personal information, and questions specific to the job.

4) Ask for the manager

Image taken from: https://www.sourcecon.com/building-a-relationship-with-the-hiring-manager/

Once you are done filling out your application, ask an employee if his or her manager is available to talk to. If they say yes, their manager will come out and talk to you. Usually they ask about yourself, what hours you could work, if you’ve had jobs in the past, and usually general, easy to answer questions. Talking to the manager can set a very good first impression. If they are not available (very unlikely), it’s no big deal, it might just take longer to find out if you got the job or not.

5) Apply for more

Image taken from: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/how-to-apply-for-jobs-online-2061598

Just like applying for college, you don’t just apply for one. It’s always good to apply for multiple jobs, therefore you have options and also a rebound if you don’t get the first job you applied for. It’s a little extra work, but it’s worth it if you want a job.

I hope that these steps will help you apply for jobs in the future.

Until my next article, I’ll leave you with this one.

High schoolers go through a lot. They have homework assignments due every day, quizzes, lab reports, tests, and they need to maintain a proper social life, all while getting enough sleep to last throughout the week.

One issue that arises with students in the 21st century is having a social media presence, mainly being on Instagram. Here are some ways that Instagram (and social media in general) have an effect on high schoolers.

Image taken from: https://www.shepherdshillacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/bigstock-young-friends-watching-viral-s-95529209.jpg

Students with social media grow up with less self esteem and more anxiety. Experts say that exposure to technology at a young age can affect the livelihoods of people. In today’s modern world, everyone uses technology now more than ever before, and that includes children and teenagers.

The overuse of social media sites, like Instagram, have been statistically proven to lower the self esteem and cause more anxiety with teenagers. People on social media tend to post their best moments in life, which can lead viewers to believe that their life is boring in comparison.

Recent studies show that teenagers’ social skills are lacking due to their overuse of social media. Because of the simplicity and ease it takes to talk to someone online, or over the phone, high schoolers have been spending less time hanging out with each other. This can cause teenagers to have weak social skills and trouble talking to people face-to-face.

Another way social media has an effect on high schoolers is cyber bullying. According to the Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Learning Network, cyber bullying has been linked with a range of mental health effects. Cyber bullied teens are more likely to smoke, drink and do drugs, which are all proven to shorten life spans and cause addiction.

Another study by the same organization reads 20% of cyber bullied victims have symptoms of depression and anger. The last thing a high schooler needs in their life is mental problems that can make a busy lifestyle even worse.

Instagram has a big impact on high schoolers and teenagers in general. This article isn’t saying you should stop using Instagram altogether, just be informed and aware with what you post and see online, and monitor the amount of time you spend on social media.

For more information, please visit:

Psychiatry & Behavioral Health Learning Network

The Child Mind Institute

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