I co-owned a beautiful, high-end gift store for 10 years and enjoyed the experience very much. We had a great staff and people waiting in line wanting to work for us. Most of the staff was composed of mature women who just wanted a little time away from their usual routines and loved and appreciated beautiful things. However, in the summer months we often supplemented our staff with well-chosen, college students.

We had an active bridal registry and spent hours with our brides helping them choose just the right china, crystal, linens and more. So, to work for us required some knowledge or the willingness to learn, in detail, about the very beautiful things we sold.

Today, as we start the summer months I am reminded of those days and the number of young people who would come in the door wanting to know if we were hiring. Some of those young people looked great, impressed us with their maturity and looked like they might fit in. Those were the names I kept in a special file with detailed comments, in case we had an opening in the future for them.

Then, there were the young people who came in, with their friends, dressed in cut off jeans, chewing a wad of bubble gum, proceeding to ask if we had any openings. Needless to say, we did not. The way those young people presented themselves never got them past the front door, as far as we were concerned.

So, if you are seeking summer employment and popping into to businesses, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Don’t take your friends along if you are going into businesses and asking for a job.

• Make sure you are well-groomed and dressed appropriately.

• No cut-offs

• No chewing gum

• No sweat pants or exercise clothes

• No low-cut or skimpy tops

• No too short skirts

• No shorts

• No flip flops

• No tank tops or bare midriff

If you get the job, be available and willing to work when asked. If you are always asking for time off or can only work a short period of time, maybe a summer job is not going to work out.

Many summer jobs can turn into great opportunities later on. Take advantage of working with people who can teach you a few things.

Happy job hunting!