Teens seeking paying part-time and/or summer jobs will find it harder but not impossible to do this year. Overall hiring has slowed due to economic uncertainties and businesses are reluctant to hire minor teens. As a result, teens will have to work to find work, says Renee Ward, founder of Teens4hire.org.

The U.S. housing mortgage crisis, increasing costs for fuel, food and healthcare is causing our economic growth to stall. At times like this, businesses sometimes scale back hiring plans, don't add new hires and/or layoff workers. If openings do exist, teens are typically the last link in the hiring chain. Businesses prefer to hire those with experience for paying jobs when times are tough.

"Most teens who want jobs will land them but it may take more time than last year and the better you prepare the faster you'll be successful," says Ward. That's why Teens4Hire.org suggests earning their Ready for the Workplace(TM) Certificate, an online job readiness program.

Older teens 18-19, have the most opportunities available to them. Federal and state child labor laws restrict some of the jobs minor teens can fill so minor teens will really have to work to find work in their local areas.

Regardless of your age, if you want a paying job you must demonstrate that you

- Have the basic education required to do the job,
- Are willing to work hard and learn new things,
- Have a positive attitude,
- Are reliable,
- Understand the needs of the business.

Best bets for finding employment are: city-run youth programs, amusement, theme and recreation parks, ice-cream, juice shops and grocery stores; libraries, museums and zoos; fast food and casual dining restaurants; child and elder care services; and offices needing clerical or customer service help.