CONEJO, SIMI VALLEY JOB AGENCIES OPENING DOORS FOR YOUNG ADULTS.

Byline: Michael Coit Daily News Staff Writer

With summer nearly here, the job search for young adults has begun with the Conejo Valley and Simi Valley Youth Employment Service groups serving as prime links to employment for many.

For more than two decades the agencies have found thousands of jobs for young men and women in their teens to early 20s. The agencies also offer counseling and workshops that can make the difference in getting hired.

The Simi Valley Youth Employment Service is operated by the city and primarily places youths in summer jobs, though the agency is busy throughout the year with counseling and job placement, said agency coordinator Sandra Thompson.

``It is always busy this time of year. A lot of the summer jobs are filling up now before school is out,'' Thompson said. ``We have a lot of college students home for the summer looking for a three-month job. It's a little tougher. A lot of people want full-time employment.''

The Conejo Valley Youth Employment Service has a greater emphasis on finding year-round work, with the summer job search adding to its rolls of job seekers, said Claire Hope, executive director for the nonprofit agency.

``We can always use more jobs for our kids,'' Hope said. ``And it's not just employers. It's private residences that can use our service.''

Placement counselors said businesses increasingly are seeking older teens with more skills, with computer literacy topping the list.

That trend has opened residential employment, such as child care and yard work, to younger workers.

``There is a trend in asking for older workers than there was in the past. The youths under 16 have to rely on the residential services,'' Thompson noted.

One of the region's prime summer employers is the Conejo Recreation and Park District. More than 100 young men and women likely will be hired this year as camp counselors, recreation assistants and sports aides, said Scott Engel, longtime supervisor at the Thousand Oaks Community Center.

``We look for people that have a good personality and want to work with people and have patience with kids,'' said Engel, who interviewed two prospective youth workers Friday.

Engel said youths get more than a pay check. They gain valuable training and experience working with others, and often learn something more about what they want to do in the future.

``Kids, even after school started, volunteered or they will come back and work two or three hours a day,'' he noted. ``Many of them have gone on to get permanent or part-time jobs with us.''

The Simi Valley youth employment agency places some 100 workers each month during the summer and about half of that each month the remainder of the year. The Conejo Valley agency places some 3,000 workers each year.

Jobs youths can expect to select from include work in retail stores, restaurants, law and medical offices, warehouse assembly, recreation counseling, landscaping and child care.

While the types of jobs and their demands change, youths still must have basic skills in interviewing, preparing resumes and completing job applications, placement counselors said.

Both agencies require an initial counseling session by appointment only.

Businesses seeking workers and youths seeking jobs in the Conejo Valley may call [phone]. In the Simi Valley, the phone for both employers and youths is (805) 522-HIRE.

HELPING HANDS IN THE JOB HUNT HOW TO APPLY

The Simi Valley Youth Employment Service office offers these application tips when applying for work:

Appearance is important: Be neat, clean and well-groomed. Dress appropriately, avoid being too casual or trendy for business contacts. First impressions are important.

Be positive and enthusiastic: Express your desire for an interview. Ask questions about the company and sell yourself. Be polite. Use direct eye contact and speak in complete sentences.

Come prepared: Be prepared to fill out employment. applications with personal data and your work history. Bring your own pen and remember to fill applications neatly and completely. Bring your work permit application, Social Security card, drivers license or other identification.

WHERE TO LOOK

Here are tips from the Simi Valley Youth Employment Service office on where young job-hunters should look.

Youth Employment Service: [phone] in Simi Valley, [phone] in the Conejo Valley.

Career centers at local schools or college placement offices.

Work experience counselors at each high school.

California Employment Development Department, 980 Enchanted Way, Suite 105, Simi Valley.

Newspaper advertisements.

Private employment agencies and temporary employment agencies.

Former employers and employers who will accept applications even if they aren't hiring for now.

Suppliers, customers and competitors of former employers.

Friends, relatives and neighbors.

Teachers, religious advisers, insurance agents and bankers.

Professional and business organizations.

Trade associations and trade publications.

Unions.

Yellow Pages.

Chamber of Commerce Public library.

Business directories (at public library).

Industrial parks and commercial districts.

Radio, television, newspaper and magazine stories. Look for companies that are new to the area or expanding.

Occupational Outlook Handbook and Dictionary of Occupational Titles.

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