Summer Job "Cheat" Sheet

Want to score an A on your summer job search? It's not easy, but there are ways to improve your chances.

• KNOW WHERE TO LOOK: Check out sites like SnagAJob.com, which lists hourly rate positions, and Teens4Hire.org, a career website for teens. Ask parents, friends and family for help.

• GET AN INTERNSHIP: "Many of our students who get good jobs have had internship experience first," said Elizabeth Seigle, internship coordinator at George Washington High School's Young Adult Borough Center.

• ASK FOR AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW: "It's a good opportunity to make an impression," said Gabrielle Green, 19, a George Washington University student from Spring Creek, Brooklyn, who scored an internship at New York shoe company Camuto Group.

• LOOK AND SOUND YOUR BEST: Prepare for your interview and dress up. "If you don't have previous work experience, use volunteer work or extracurricular activities to show your responsibility and commitment," said SnagAJob's Amanda Richardson.

• PLAY UP YOUR ASSETS: "Are you good at numbers? Are you fabulous working on an Excel spreadsheet?" said Suzanne Taylor, director of events & alumni services at the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship.

• BE FLEXIBLE: Be open to working off-hours and in a variety of departments. Hang in there. "It takes time," Seigle said. "Don't give up."

This article was written by Phyllis Furman and was published in the New York Daily News on May 23rd, 2011.