Getting a job is tougher for teens, who face some of the highest unemployment rates in the nation

Brandy LaFentres does it all, and she does it fast.

The front-line employee at Culver's on Kingshighway works the drive-thru, bags orders, handles the registers and even offers direction when the situation calls.

The 17-year-old Jackson High School senior said she was relieved to land the job a few months ago. She had spent the previous three months applying at several retailers and restaurants. There were no bites. Finally, she landed the Culver's gig, thanks to the recommendation of an old friend and longtime Culver's employee.

"They trusted his opinion, and I got the job," LaFentres said.

Many teens aren't so fortunate. In this sluggish, "jobless" recovery, U.S. teenagers face as deep a recession as ever, with some of the highest unemployment rates in the nation.

Nationally, the teen unemployment rate was 24.2 percent for all teens in April, 40.7 percent for black teens, according to the latest Census Bureau data and analysis by the Employment Policies Institute. About 30 percent of teens have been looking for work for 27 weeks or more, and many others have grown discouraged and dropped out of the labor market, said Michael Saltsman, research fellow at the Washington, D.C.-based not-for-profit think tank.

"What's unique about this recession for teens as opposed to previous recessions is the length of time. The unemployment rate for teens has been above 20 percent since October 2008," Saltsman said. That length of teen unemployment is unprecedented."

In Missouri, the unemployment rate for teens in May was 28.2, nearly 30 percent when including discouraged 16- to 19-year-olds who have left the job search.

In 2010, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated there were an average 131,000 teens ages 16 to 19 in the workforce in Missouri -- about 30,000 were unemployed.

Saltsman blames the higher minimum wage for much of what he calls a "perpetual summer employment crisis for young adults." There's much debate on the subject. An earlier Princeton University study, for instance, found employment and wages increased, in some areas significantly, following state minimum raise increases.

LaFentres says she's working a lot of hours this summer, but she's glad to have a job. She's saving up for a car and picking up the tab for her cellphone bill. She offers a bit of advice for her peers frustrated by the trying job market: Keep trying.

"When you put in your application, don't just not call them back. Keep on them," LaFentres said. "If they realize how much you want the job, they're going to hire you, more than likely."

mkittle@semissourian.com

388-3627

Tips for job-seeking teens

Be Brave. Even in this economy, there are plenty of employers out there looking for the affordable, enthusiastic and energetic help that teenagers provide, but you have to go out and ask for it. Don't be afraid to apply for jobs.

Be Polite. You are applying for a job; dress up, make eye contact, shake hands and avoid using slang. First impressions matter -- make sure you are remembered for your application and not your attitude.

Be Prepared. Bring a resume and a cover letter whenever you apply for a job. Having a good resume is essential. It shows that you are serious about the position and that you are mature and responsible.

Be Persistent. It would be nice if you were immediately offered every job that you ever applied for. Unfortunately, this is not the case for anybody. Persistence pays off; send a thank-you note to interviewers, follow up if you do not hear about the job after a week, and keep applying.

Be Creative. Look for work in places other than the mall. The weakening economy means that people are going to be looking to cut costs in areas such as lawn and child care. Get a few friends together and start a landscaping or a baby-sitting business. Working for yourself is a great way to earn money and develop skills that will help you find your next job.

Source: Myfirstpaycheck.com