Michigan teens looking for summer jobs will face a pretty tight market this year, not only among themselves, but also as they compete with adults for workplace openings. That's the assessment from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget out today with its Summer Teen Employment Forecast.
The department has released its summer (June–August) teen employment forecast for 2016. While the Michigan labor market has continued to improve, competition for available jobs remains high. As a result, the teen labor market situation will likely remain highly competitive during the summer of 2016.
Securing a summer job is often a challenge for many teens, even in the best of labor market conditions. This year, as in previous years, teens will likely face the traditional competition from their peers as well as additional competition from adults for available jobs. This additional layer of competition from older workers and other factors such as an increased emphasis on scholastic achievement may be partially responsible for the decline in labor force attachment among teens since the early part of the last decade.
Historically, the labor force attachment of Michigan teens has been significantly higher than the national average both on an annual basis and during the summer months. This was particularly true until the economic downturn at the start of the last decade. Since the 2001 national recession, however, teen labor force participation in general has steadily declined and the gap in labor force participation between Michigan teens and the national average has narrowed.
Starting in 2011 this downward trend appears to have stabilized both in Michigan and nationally. While teen summer labor force participation has remained relatively constant nationally over the past several years it has moved modestly higher in Michigan during 2014 and 2015. Recent labor market indicators on Michigan teen labor force attachment indicate this upward trend is continuing.
During the summer of 2016 (June-August), the recent trend of a declining jobless rate for teens is expected to continue. The Michigan teen summer jobless rate is projected at 17.5 percent, which is 1.2 percentage points below the summer 2015 rate. The summer teen workforce is estimated at about 282,300, and approximately 233,000 teens are expected to find summer jobs. Despite this expected improvement in the summer youth jobless rate, however, the number of unemployed teens is forecast to be approximately 49,400.
Michigan’s Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB) offers the following summer job search tips for teens:
- Start looking early
- Keep looking
- Visit local businesses
- Let friends/neighbors know you are looking for work
- Talk with school guidance counselors
- Utilize social media, websites with job ads, and local newspaper want ads
- Think about self-employment: lawn service, pet sitting, etc.
- Visit Pure Michigan Talent Connect (www.mitalent.org)
In addition, listed below are some key items that may help to make a good first impression with employers:
- Dress appropriately
- Be on time to the interview
- Be well groomed
- Bring information needed to complete an application
- Have a list of a few references
- Maintain a positive attitude and show that you want the job
These industries and occupations typically provide good job prospects for teens:
Teen Summer Employment Opportunities by Industry & Occupation
Opportunities by Industry
- Agriculture
- Grocery Stores
- Amusement & Recreation Services
- Hotels & Motels
- Camps
- Local Governments
- Department Stores / Retail Stores
- Museums / Galleries / Zoos
- Fruit & Vegetable Stores
- Restaurants
- Gift/ Sporting Goods/Book Stores
- State of Michigan
Opportunities by Occupation
- Camp Counselor
- Golf Course Worker
- Car Washer
- Library Aide
- Cashier
- Office Clerk
- Delivery Person
- Receptionist
- Fast Food Worker
- Sales Clerk
- Waiter / Waitress
- Stock Clerk
- Food Market Clerk
- Usher / Attendant
Teens are encouraged to contact their local office of Michigan Works! (http://michiganworks.org). Michigan Works! provides assistance in resume development and job search, and provides access to the Pure Michigan Talent Connect (www.mitalent.org).
