Choose the most suitable heading from the list A-H for each part (1-8) of the article.

Part-time jobs for teenagers
A. Carry out some research
B. Better off working together?
C. They could do with you
D. Think positively!
e. not always straightforward
F. Working for free
G. Pick a service to provide
H. Income and other benefits

1

As a teenager, you are likely to have both a fair amount of spare time and a desire to earn some money. By working to earn money yourself, you can learn a lot about the value of things as well as the world of business. Typical and obvious jobs teenagers for teenagers include working at a fastfood restaurant, working as a shop assistant or stacking shelves at a supermarket.

2

What you get out of a job like this depends on your attitude. If your attitude is “I hate this job” then obviously you won’t benefit much from it; if, on the other hand, you look at it as an opportunity to learn how business works from the inside out, then the benefits can be great. Many of the new generation of millionaires, for example, are owners of franchise and private restaurants. Owning a restaurant is not easy, however, and it requires knowledge and skill to be successful, so start gathering this as a teenager. Try as many positions as possible and ask lots of questions about cash flow, staffing, etc. Applying this attitude to any job you have will really pay off; you’ll learn a huge amount.

3

For many teenagers, there are a variety of problems associated with getting a job. You may not be old enough or you may lack reliable transportation. You may not have enough total time available or a regular enough schedule for someone to be willing to hire you. You might not even be able to find a job in an area that you enjoy. If any of these problems holds true for you, then working for yourself on a part-time basis may be the best way to go.

4

Baby-sitting, for example, is a tried and tested way for responsible teenagers who like being with kids to make money. There are several things you can do make your services more available. Think about taking a first-aid course so that you know how to handle emergencies. Secondly, you might want to consider teaming up with some likeminded friends. That way your group will be able to say yes more often, increasing the amount of work you’re offered.
5

If baby-sitting doesn’t appeal to you, then you might want to consider garden care. During the summer you mow lawns, trim hedges and so on, in the autumn you rake leaves and in the winter you shovel snow! Indoor house painting is another option. Before undertaking this, you need to make sure you khow what you are doing by working with someone with experience and practising at home (but get your parents’ permission first!). Other activities include providing in-home pet care when owners are on holiday; errandrunning for busy people; washing cars for neighbours or teaching people how to use computers or the Internet.

6

One question you will have as soon as you choose an activity is “How much should I charge?” This is a question which is best answered by doing a market survey. You’ll need to call around and ask potential customers what they are used to paying and/or willing to pay, or ask your friends what they are charge for similar activities. In the case of an activity like car washing, you could also call garages in your area and ask what they charge.

7

Another way of gaining experience is to offer your services to a small business. Although it may not be obvious to you, every community has thousands of small firms which do all sorts of things: printing, plumbing, computer programming, advertising and so on. Many of these could really benefit from a part-time helper who is reliable and mature. In return, you can learn an amasing amount about business. You will be surprised at how quikly you become a valued part pf the team.

8

Volunteer positions are another option. You can volunteer your services at many hospitals, old people’s homes, and most charitable organisations or political groups. You won’t earn any money, but you can gain valuable experience and colleges and universities will be impressed by any voluntary work you have done.