I’m seventeen. I had worked as a box boy at a supermarket in Los Angeles. People came to the counter and you put things in their bags for them and carried things to their cars. It was hard work.

While working, you wear a plate with your name on it. I once met someone I knew years ago. I remembered his name and said, "Mr. Castle, how are you?" We talked about this and that. As he left, he said, "It was nice talking to you, Brett." I felt great, he remembered me. Then I looked down at my name plate. Oh, no. He didn’t remember me at all. He just read the name plate. I wish I had put "Irving" down on my name plate. If he’d have said, "Oh yes, Irving, how could I forget you?" I’d have been ready for him. There’s nothing personal here.

The manager and everyone else who were a step above the box boys often shouted orders. One of these was: you couldn’t accept tips. Okay, I’m outside and I put the bags in the car. For a lot of people, the natural reaction is to take a quarter and give it to me. I’d say, "I’m sorry, I can’t." They’d get angry. When you give someone a tip, you’re sort of being polite. You take a quarter and you put it in their hand and you expect them to say, "Oh, thanks a lot." When you say, "I’m sorry, I can’t." they feel a little put down. They say, "No one will know." And they put it in your pocket. You say, "I really can’t."

It gets to a point where you almost have to hurt a person physically to prevent him from tipping you. It was not in agreement with the store’s belief in being friendly. Accepting tips was a friendly thing and made the customer feel good. I just couldn’t understand the strangeness of some people’s ideas. One lady actually put it in my pocket, got in the car, and drove away. I would have had to throw the quarter at her or eaten it or something.

Whether you’re in high school or college, classes will be over in a few short months. If you’d like to work this summer, have you started looking for a job? If not, now’s the time to search for positions, fill out applications, and get yourself hired. To get the process started, follow our tips below.

Make or update your resume. Even if potential positions require you to submit an application, some may also ask for an accompanying resume. 【小题1】 You can also use free online tools to easily create a resume in minutes.

Look ahead. 【小题2】 Think forward to your hopes for the future, and try to find a position that might help you develop relevant skills or make helpful contacts.

Drop by. If there’s a certain place where you’re interested in working, put on an appropriate outfit (装束), get your resume in hand, and drop by. 【小题3】 Be ready to give your 30-second speech that answers two questions: “Why do you want to work here?” and “Why should I hire you?”

【小题4】 You might need to provide references to a potential employer, so chat with former bosses, current mentors (导师), and anyone else you want to include on your list.

Remember, it’s important to get started on the summer job search now, as so many others will be looking for seasonal work. 【小题5】 Keep looking for opportunities, using your networks, and thinking creatively. Soon you’ll have something lined up to keep you busy and earn you money for the summer months.

Hot Spots for Retirees to Start Their Encore Career

Encore Career: Vocational School Instructor

Retire in: Los Angeles, CA

Ever since IBM CEO Ginni Rometty coined the term “new collar” to describe well-paid jobs that require specific skills but not necessarily a degree, vocational schools have made a serious comeback. Apparently instructors are in short supply in sunny L.A., where there are 13 jobs at vocational schools for every applicant on the market. This is a great opportunity for skilled retirees since, unlike teaching at a public school that requires a state certificate, the only requirement here is that you be a seasoned expert in your field.

Encore Career: Business Consultant

Retire in: Miami, FL

Consulting is a great option for a retired business professional looking to make their own hours, be their own boss, and earn as much or as little as needed to maintain their standard of living. For every consultant in Miami right now there are 13 businesses hoping to hire them. There’s even greater demand here than in Washington D.C., which is typically considered the consulting capital of the world.

Encore Career: Tourist Wrangler

Retire in: Austin, TX

As the economy continues to boom and more Americans have extra income to spend, the tourism industry has taken off. This is particularly true in Austin, TX, where there were astonishing 36 tourism jobs for every applicant in July. Between four-star hotels, the noisy rock n’ roll scene, and a new food culture, Austin is the place to be if you want to work in service industry.

Encore Career: Supporter of the Arts

Retire in: Charleston, SC

If you’re a Baby Boomer with a degree in the arts, now could be the perfect time to revisit your passion for creativity, especially if you also want to live in the center of southern charm. Between the 14 art galleries on King Street in Old Town, an abundance of acting companies and theaters, and music festivals, it’s not surprising there were 25 jobs for every arty applicant iii Charleston.