Job expert says plenty of Summer jobs available for teens

A valley job expert has some advice for those looking for a summer job.

He says there are many openings to be filled in the Phoenix valley.

Staffing recruiter Michael Hayes is decidedly blunt about the job market for young people this Summer in the Phoenix valley. "If a kid comes home and tells you he can't find a job then he's just plain lazy, I totally believe that," said Michael Hayes.

There are plenty of summer opportunities he says. He owns Momentum Staffing, a company where employers come to him looking for staff, and he finds workers to match their needs.

Hayes says lately things have picked up.

"We're getting calls from people, clients who haven't been hiring for 4-5 years, and new people coming in the small to mid-size business market that really leaned out their staff, and they're starting to need people," he said.

Part of the challenge for Hayes is finding people of any age with a strong work ethic. He says quite a few of them say they want a job but aren't realistic about what jobs are paying as Arizona is still struggling from the effects of the recession.

"But again some people are saying I'm better than $10-12 per hour, but you're not. Because that's what they're going to pay. So if you don't want to take these jobs, someone else will. So when you're getting out of school or whatever, you are competing against someone who has a job history and you don't, and that's a big difference," said Hayes.

While it is late in the Summer job hunting season, there are still both Summer and traditional jobs out there said Hays. Especially in the service industry, but getting them will take some initiative.

"I think going out to one place is not looking for a job, spamming your resume to a hundred places is not looking for work, it's part of part of looking for work, but part of it is talking to people face to face, because there are a lot of employers if a kid shows up clean dressed, looks halfway decent, they are probably going to say 'Hey, let's start you tomorrow, and let's see what you got.' Because things are that bad out there in terms of quality, and lots of turnover," said Hayes.

Hayes advised driving within a six-mile radius of where you live and look for help wanted signs at smaller businesses. Pound the pavement, shake hands with owners, and make contact.

If you cannot find anything, then volunteer somewhere. Make connections who can recommend you, or provide references. It's a good way to build your resume so that you will be a stronger job candidate down the road.