By Jessup Smith, ’10, LifeStyle Editor

Now that all fall sports seasons are over and most of us have settled into the academic pattern we’ve chosen for ourselves this year, you may feel as if it’s time to take on yet another responsibility–a job. Although the economy certainly isn’t as thriving as it once was, you’d be surprised by the jobs seasonal materialism creates and the benefits employment can have for high school students lacking an after-school extracurricular.  Just two weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to walk into a bakery, and within all of 287 seconds, walk out with part-time employment. I’m the dishwasher at Freida’s Bakery in Madeira, a deliciously German shop on Miami Avenue.

If you’re looking for advice about your job hunt, here are a few tips:

• Go to Old Milford, Mariemont, and Hyde Park and apply to every small business that sparks your interest. Small shops are always in need of help during the holiday season, and even if the work lasts for only a season, you can still use the experience for future applications and resumes.
• Check out your nearest shopping center (Kenwood or Rookwood). All kinds of stores hire extra people for the holiday season.
• Don’t be picky about where you apply, as you never know what type of work you’ll actually end up doing. Even if you hate the work, you’ll still have gained the opportunity to meet new and interesting, sometimes strange, people and will have garnered a few precious paychecks.
• Show interest in working where you put your name in; this process certainly isn’t as intense as showing interest in colleges, but letting them know you really want the job puts you ahead of the game when competing against mindless zombies applying for the same position.

After deciding where you want to apply, use these tips when actually applying:

• Don’t wear sweatpants and an old T-shirt to apply or be interviewed. Most places don’t expect any type of formal attire, but at least sport school dress code. You could even step it up and wear a collared shirt. It makes you look more responsible.
• Don’t write down references without asking those people whether they are willing to serve as references for you. That way, when and if the employer actually checks, your references won’t be flustered or surprised, but ready to put in a good word for you.
• Don’t be shy; write down your talents (all of us here are at least minimally computer-literate) and don’t forget to include academic, athletic, or other honors.

Having an after-school job looks great on college applications, is very rewarding on a personal level, and also keeps you out of the house for a few extra hours every day. Not to mention the pocket money you’ll be earning, so the next time you really feel the need to splurge, there will be little or no guilt. With the holidays coming up and even some important birthdays, you’ll find it much easier to give gifts to friends and family. You might even earn enough dough to give more than the usual, however thoughtful, burned CD and Crayola-magic-markered and folded 8 1/2 x 11 cards.