Cathy McCarthy, senior vice president of marketing at SnagAJob.com, said the job market is going to be tough this summer for teenagers, especially those trying to land their first job.

“It is different than later in life when you have a resume and you have some experience that you can put out there for the hiring managers,” she said.

Here are some tips on how to land that first job:

¢ Be prepared. “If they ask me for a pencil or phone book, then they aren’t prepared,” said Aletia Vaughn, human resources manager for McDonald’s in Lawrence. For example, it’s important to have the phone numbers of references and know your Social Security number.

¢ Be enthusiastic. “Over half of the hiring managers said they felt like teenagers didn’t have the same work ethic as previous generations. That’s a stereotype and you can break it by being enthusiastic,” McCarthy said. First, fill out the application and then be sure to meet the hiring manager in person. “That’s your opportunity to demonstrate to the hiring manager that you are proactive, that you are enthusiastic about this job,” she said.

¢ Show leadership skills. When filling out an application that asks for job experience, list leadership opportunities or positions that you’ve held in school and community organizations. “It just shows that not only did you participate in Boy Scouts, but that you worked towards becoming an Eagle Scout,” McCarthy said.

¢ Be flexible. “Twenty-eight percent of the hiring managers said the most important thing they look for in a summer job applicant is their ability to work the daily schedule the company needs,” McCarthy said. So, if you are trying to land that first job, be willing to work weekends and nights, just to get your foot in the door.

¢ Watch the attire. “I don’t look for them to be dressed in a shirt or tie, but I also don’t look for them to look like they just rolled out of bed,” Vaughn said. She said a nice pair of shorts and shirt would be appropriate.

¢ Be careful about contact information. “We see it all of the time. You might have an e-mail address that you use with your friends that’s catchy and it’s fun. But you might want to set up another one with just your first and last name and a number. It’s just more professional and gives a better impression,” McCarthy said.

According to SnagAJob.com, 39 percent of managers said the most important thing they look for in an applicant is a positive attitude and an eagerness for the job itself.

“Prior experience, doesn’t mean you can’t land the job,” McCarthy said.