Bliss… Six whole weeks of nothing but fun and friends. But the hitch is it costs you around three times as much to entertain yourself, since you’re not stuck in that prison they call school all day long. Unless your parents are willing to cough up some extra pocket money (hell will probably freeze over first) then you will have to find a clever way to earn some extra dollars. So girls, it’s time to find a vacation job.
The boring law stuff Sorry, but it has to be done…unless you’re babysitting for your parent’s friends or making dosh washing your neighbour’s cars, it’s illegal to officially work until you’re 18.
Starting the hunt Do it now! All the best ones get snapped up, so get your thinking cap on about where you love spending time, what you love doing and how many hours you want to do. Try to match it to your future ambitions. For instance, if you want to be a celebrity hairdresser, go for a Saturday job washing hair in the local salon. Ask your folks to help you draft up a CV, and hand them out to all these people you would enjoy working for.
Don't be a diva If you turn your nose up at towel-washing, tea-making or filing, you'll get the flick pretty quickly. So be cheery and happy to do whatever they ask. If it helps, make a mental note of how much you're making as you go e.g. by the time I finish this mind-numbingly boring typing, I'll have made $15 towards that bag I've been drooling over.
Your favourite vacation jobs The pros and cons of the vacation jobs you want the most.
Retail work Loving it: Whether you’re addicted to fashion or films, you get to work around your passion all day long.
Loathing it: Er, high risk of spending all your hard earned cash before you’ve even left work.
Restaurant / fast food work Loving it: Mmmm free food
Loathing it: There’s only so many McFlurry’s one girl can eat.
Office Assistant Loving it: Lots more pay
Loathing it:That photocopier has a mind of it's own. Plus, you're working with older, boring peeps.
