As summer hiring ramps up, are you challenged by how best to reach today’s youth? Trying to get a teen or young adult’s attention today is like yelling over a rock concert while they’re wearing noise-canceling headphones and texting five people—you better be saying something wild, useful, or hilarious. So, how do we reach the oversaturated, overextended, and overstimulated generation? Nationwide offers insights below –

1. Print and Digital Flyers

Yes, to today’s generation, paper advertising is a novelty.

Design Tips

• Use vibrant colors and engaging visuals that resonate with youth.
• Highlight key details: job roles, age requirements, pay rates, and application deadlines.
• Include QR codes linking directly to the application portal.

Distribution Channels

• Post in local high schools, community centers, libraries, and coffee shops.
• Distribute during community events and school career fairs.

2. Social Media and Digital Outreach

Teenagers don’t scroll through social media; they survive it. Here are some ways to ensure your content is engaging and not overwhelming.

• Instagram & TikTok: Create engaging content highlighting day-in-the-life experiences of agency staff to appeal to younger audiences.
• Facebook & X: Share job postings and program highlights to reach a broader community audience. Use relevant and trending hashtags to increase visibility.

3. School and Community Partnerships

Good advertising reaches people where they are, so ensure your strategy incorporates outreach to local schools, colleges, and places where young people gather.

• Local High Schools & Colleges: Collaborate with school career centers to advertise job openings and internships.
• Community Centers & Libraries: Distribute flyers and host informational sessions about open positions.
• Host informational booths at local events, fairs, and school functions.
• Organize open houses or workshops where interested youth can learn more about the programs.

4. Email and Text Campaigns

Often, the best way to reach teens and young adults is by communicating with their parents (it may come with an eye roll, but they do listen). Your agency will have parents’ email addresses on file when they register their children for recreation classes, library cards, or a youth sports program.

Approach

• Collect contact information during events and program registrations.
• Send regular updates about job openings, application deadlines, and program highlights.

Tools 

• Use platforms like Mailchimp or Constant Contact for email campaigns.
• Consider SMS services for timely reminders and alerts.
• Advertise in community print and online newspapers, such as Patch and Nextdoor, which are neighborhood focused.

By combining these approaches, you can effectively recruit teens and young adults for seasonal job opportunities. If you need assistance crafting specific job postings or promotional materials, we’re here to help. Email us at info@mynpsj.com.