It's no secret the economy isn't great right now. Prices are going up, salaries are going down, full time jobs are disappearing. And while your parental units are probably stressing, you know you're feeling it, too: cut backs on allowance and extra money for the occasional movies, no cash for gas to put in your car, or maybe even for the car to put that gas in!The social consequences are far reaching and you can't afford to be naive about it.

So, if you've never contemplated getting a part time job before, now might be a great time to start. And why not? Whether it's just over the winter holidays to buy those extra holiday presents for your crush or something to keep you occupied during the hot summer months, think of everything you could do with a few extra Gs in your pocket and the freedom it would give you to spend it!

Sure, it's hard to find a job right now. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics mass layoffs have more than doubled from 1998 to 2008, and the national unemployment rate for teens (ages 16-19) has risen 3-5 percent. But all is not lost. If you start early and go in prepared there's no reason why you can't land that perfect part time job and be part of the 80% of teens who are currently employed. And exactly how does one prepare, you might ask? Know how to kick butt in the interview! That's your one chance to make yourself stand out from the pack, to show your potential employers why you're the best for the job and give them the confidence to make that choice.

Make Your 10 Minutes Count
It's your 10 minutes in the spotlight, so make the most of it, because sometimes, 10 minutes may very well be all you'll get. To get the inside scoop on how to do just that, we consulted Lonn McDowell, a CEO of a major medical facility in Gainesville Florida, and also a professor in Healthcare Human Resources Management to second year master's students at the University of Florida. In other words, he knows his stuff when it comes to hiring, firing and everything in between. And he's willing to share it with you so you have the advantage in the  

job search

  race.

Resumes for the Inexperienced
When most adults apply for a job, the first thing they start with is a resume, but how important is it really for people our age, applying for what might be our first job, to have one? Mr. McDowell doesn't think it's necessary for applying for a job, but, he elaborates, it can give you the upper hand. "If two people applying for the same position did a good job completing their applications, both had similar experience and skills and both did equally well during the interview phase, I might look more favorably on the one that had a resume. With all other application aspects equal, the person that went to the trouble to compile a good resume would most likely look more organized and more serious about the job."

If you need some ideas setting up your resume, you may want to take a look at the samples specifically for teens found here. If you don't have a lot of job experience to list -- or any for that matter -- McDowell suggests listing any past activities, clubs, organized team sports, etc. "Particularly the ones that would lead a potential employer to believe you work well with others. That's very important," he says.

Any items that are important to avoid on a resume? "Do not share anything that can give potential employer information about "classifications" contained within the scope of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Some of these EEOC classifications can be obvious during the interview, like gender, age, race, etc. But anything that can directly tell an employer religious preferences, should not be shared." These things are actually illegal for an employer to ask about, so don't offer up the information. To know your rights where this is concerned, check out all the EEOC classifications.

First Impressions
Now, your resume is impressive and you land the interview. What comes next? Making a strong first impression, of course.Think your attire doesn't count in an interview? Think again. "You should dress the same if not better then the way you would be required to dress if you had the job. You obviously wouldn't need to wear a suit to an interview for a grocery store, but it would be a good idea to 'dress the part' of the position you are applying for." The career services experts at Princeton University agree, and even go so far as to break down the dress code in detail for you at their website.

Next, arrive to the interview on time, if not early -- 10 minutes is appropriate. And be prepared for a 15-30 minute interview. That's standard according to Mr. McDowell. While you're waiting, review answers to potential questions in your head so you sound prepared when you get in the room. "I think most teens are prepared for interviews that contain mostly close-ended questions that they can answer with a yes or no answer," says McDowell. You'll need to also practice answering open-ended questions that require you to give examples of your past experiences and provide a look at your responsibility and team work skills. Consider questions like "Tell me a little about yourself," "Tell me about a problem you had and how you solved it," or "Why should we hire you?" Be prepared to give examples of how you demonstrated maturity and responsibility in all the above if asked.

As the interview draws to an end, feel free to ask questions of your own. In fact, it actually may leave a good impression on your soon to be boss. "Good questions show intelligence and sincerity," says McDowell. "Ask questions that show you are interested in the job, and that you will take it seriously." In fact, McDowell says that simple maturity is the one thing that can really make you stand out in a group.

Are You Ready?
As for one final piece of advice, McDowell says "be prepared." The more you interview, the better you will be about thinking quickly, responding succinctly and talking about yourself in relation to your past and your future. Ask someone in a management position at a company to give you a mock interview. "After all, the same general rule applies in the world of interviewing as it does in everything else in life," says McDowell. "Practice makes perfect." Now go out and get your job!

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