Teens looking for summer jobs this year will have plenty of competition. According to the Department of Labor, there are nine million people hunting for part-time jobs. And according to polls, most employers plan their summer staff now. So here are some tips for helping your teen find a summer job.

* Try SnagAJob.com. It’s a great resource for people who are looking for hourly employment. It can be a great place for your teen to start their search.
* Help them prepare. If you’ve never had a job interview, the process can be scary. Help your teen prepare by going through a few mock interviews.
* Apply often. Don’t let your teen get their heart set on working at one place. They’ll learn great skills just going through the interview process even if they don’t get hired.
* Hit the faithful locations. Fast food joints, grocery stores and some clothing stores are known for hiring teens. Make sure these make it on your teen’s list of places to apply.
* Think out of the box. Plenty of businesses need help with social media. And often this is an area that today’s teens excel. Help them to focus on some unique services they can offer local businesses.
* Consider the family business. If the competition is too tough, working at the family business may be a good option for your teen. They’ll get experience which may help them stand out from the crowd in the future.