Hunting for a summer job?

School days are winding down and many Michigan teens are on the hunt for summer employment.

The Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth projects that Michigan’s teen summer labor market will continue to be competitive this year — as it is across the nation — so teens are encouraged to be creative in their searches.

In total, 243,600 teens are expected to find jobs this summer in Michigan, officials said in a statement.

Some tips from the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth to help find a summer job are:

— Start looking early.

— Use the newspaper want-ads.

— Keep looking.

— Let friends and neighbors know you are looking for work.

— Visit local businesses.

— Consider self-employment: lawn service, pet sitting, etc.

— Talk with school guidance counselors.

— Search the Internet.

In addition, these are things you can do to make a good first impression with employers:

— Dress appropriately.

— Bring information needed to complete an application.

— Be on time to the interview.

— Have a list of a few references.

— Be well groomed.

— Maintain a positive attitude.

Teens can also call 1-800-285-WORKS and be connected to the nearest Michigan Works! office.

Michigan Works! offers to help teens develop resumes and connect them to job openings.

“Even in stronger labor market environments, teens experience elevated levels of competition for jobs during the summer months,” said Rick Waclawek, director of DLEG’s Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives.

“This is due in part to the large influx of young jobseekers during the late spring and early summer months,” Waclawek said in a statement. “Typically, the number of teens entering the labor force will start to rise sharply in May and reach a peak in July.”

Since 2000, teen labor market participation both nationally and in Michigan has been on the decline.

This downward trend is exacerbated in Michigan by increases in summer school enrollment as the requirements for high school graduation have become more rigorous.

In addition, the state’s recent labor market environment has increased the likelihood of teens competing with adults who are seeking second jobs to supplement household income.

The industries and occupations that typically provide good job prospects for teens are listed below.

— Agriculture.

— Gifts/Sporting Goods/Bookstores.

— Amusement & Recreation Services.

— Grocery Stores.

— Camps & Trailer Parks.

— Hotels & Motels.

— Construction.

— Landscape & Horticulture Services.

— Department/Retail Stores.

— Museums/Galleries/Zoos.

— Restaurants.

— Warehousing.

Although the number of teens employed this summer is a three percent drop from the 2007 level, the number of teens actively looking for employment is also projected to drop by over 5,000.

The resulting teen unemployment rate of 23.3 is an increase of 1.3 percentage points, or 3,000 teens, over last summer.

Employers, parents and teens are reminded that workers under 18 years of age are subject to the Youth Employment Standards Act (YESA), PA 90 of 1978.

That means teens will need a work permit, and are restricted from doing some tasks

— Minors 14- to 17-years-old may work in businesses where alcoholic beverages are sold as long as the sale of food or other goods is at least 50 percent of gross sales.

— Minors under the age of 18 cannot sell, serve, or furnish alcoholic beverages.

Minors covered by the act may not work in any occupation determined to be hazardous. Examples of hazardous work include, but are not limited to:

— Contact with hazardous substances, chemicals, explosives or radioactive substances.

— Driving and work as an outside helper (pizza delivery, etc.).

— Jobs in the logging and sawmill industry.

— Jobs using woodworking machinery.

— Brazing, welding, soldering or heat treating, for those less than 16 years of age.

— Work on construction sites, excavation sites, bridges, streets or highways.

— Slaughtering, butchering and meat cutting.

— Occupations involving power driven equipment, tools, saws, or machinery. (Bakery machines, paper product machines, metal-forming, punching and shearing machines).

Additionally, teens also are restricted on the hours they may work.

— Combined hours of school and work cannot exceed 48 hours in a work week.

— A minor may not work more than six days in a week.

— Minors are limited to working no more than 10 hours in a day, with a weekly average of 8 hours per day.

— 14- and 15-year-olds may not work after 9 p.m. or before 7 a.m.

— 14- and 15-year-olds may not work during school hours.

_ A minor age 16 or older shall not work before 6 a.m. or after 10:30 p.m., Sunday through Thursday.

— A minor age 16 or older shall not work before 6 a.m. or after 11:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, during school vacation periods, and during periods when a minor is not regularly enrolled in school.

— Approval may be granted for 16 and 17 year-olds to work beyond the hours specified in the Youth Employment Standards Act. Approvals may be obtained from the Wage and Hour Division by asking for a hours deviation.

— No deviations to work beyond the hours specified in the Youth Employment Standards Act are allowed for 14 and 15 year-olds.