Issue Date: March 2, 2008

Start looking for a summer job now

Remember when it was easy for teens to land a summer job at the mall or flipping burgers? Not today. The outlook is now tight, thanks to a slow economy and increased competition from immigrants and older workers. Kids must be resourceful -- and early, experts say. "This is the summer of the teen entrepreneur," says Renée Ward of Teens4Hire.org.

Here's what she and Randall Hansen, Ph.D., of Quintessential Careers (quintcareers.com) advise teenagers to do -- perhaps with a little help from parents.

Network: "Have teens use family members and neighbors to scout out jobs," Hansen says. "Teens have no idea what their neighbors do or how connected they possibly are."

Leverage what you know: Teens should draw on their expertise. Use computer savvy, for instance, to start a business helping neighbors sell their things on eBay, or to create family websites. Load up iPods for family friends and neighbors.

Fill a need: Busy dual-career families may employ teens as summer chauffeurs and yard workers.

Think outside the box: Companies that have downsized may need temporary summer help for jobs that haven't been advertised.

-- Gayle Jo Carter