Summer jobs in Hong Kong for teens where you can earn money and gain life skills
Why waste your summer daydreaming, when you can gain some valuable hands-on experience and perhaps earn a bit of extra cash along the way
If you are spending most of your summer holiday staring at the ceiling wondering what to do, getting a summer job could be a good way to make use of your spare time.
Finding a job as a teen can, however, be a lot easier said than done, so we’ve put together a quick guide on where you can find a summer job in Hong Kong to help you get started.
Work at a convenience store
Convenience stores such as 7-11 require students to be at least 18 years old, and be able to read and write Chinese fluently. If you meet these requirements, then the application process is relatively simple. All you need to do is attend a walk-in interview with your CV at 7-11’s recruitment centre in Lai Chi Kok.
A paid internship is a much better way to spend your holiday than lying on the sofa
Work at a fast-food restaurant
Many places don’t require specific academic qualifications or experience; it’s your attitude that matters. Many larger establishments may also be flexible about your working hours if you choose to join part-time.
McDonald’s, for example, will accept applicants aged 15 and above. Cantonese is required for customer service staff, but isn’t listed as a requirement for kitchen staff. Apply online on their website, or attend a walk-in interview at the McDonald’s recruitment centre in Quarry Bay (no appointment required).
Letters from the Dorm: Why a paid internship is better than a lazy summer holiday
Tutor other students
Many tutoring centres tend to look for recent university graduates, but there are some that welcome secondary school students as well.
You could also consider tutoring privately, rather than signing up with a centre. The best place to look for people who need tutors is job search websites or online forums, or ask around your neighbourhood.
Kumon’s tutorial centres are looking for centre assistants to help with their daily operations. You will need to have completed at least Form Five. You can apply on Kumon’s website to work on an hourly or monthly basis. Send a full résumé with your expected salary to [email protected], or send your application to the following address: Human Resources Team, Kumon Hong Kong Co Ltd, Unit 4301, Cosco Tower, 183 Queens Road Central.
An internship in Hong Kong or abroad may be the best thing you can do for yourself
Lead a summer camp or volunteer at a charity
Working at a summer camp or helping a charity organisation run summer events can be a very fulfilling experience, and can also strengthen your leadership, communication and teamwork skills.
Ark Eden educates the public on the importance of environmental conservation. They run summer camps for children aged 5 to 11, and are looking for volunteers currently in secondary school or university. You’ll be helping to lead small groups of children on various outdoor activities, as they learn more about nature and biodiversity.
There is no application deadline, but they would prefer students who can make it to their volunteer training sessions on June 23 and July 9.
Apply by sending an email to [email protected]; find out more on the Ark Eden website.
Give back this summer and volunteer to help others
Pick up some odd jobs
If you don’t want to devote your entire summer to working, you could look online for some odd jobs you could do to earn some money.
There are Facebook groups like Hong Kong Teens PT where teens can find part-time or casual work.
You can search through the many jobs being posted on the group, including babysitting, dog walking, photography and handing out fliers.
Alternatively, you can introduce yourself, list your skills on the group, then wait and see if anyone has a task that would be suitable for you.
Good luck!