Preparing your teenager for that 1st job

If your teenager or someone you know is in the market for his or her first job, consider this advice from the job and recruitment site Indeed.com:

– Think of friends or family who might vouch for you.

– Build a resume. Take into account any skills you may have from volunteer work, community service or a civic organization. 

– Dress professionally for your interview.

– Establish a budget to determine how much you can save and how much you can spend.

– Research interview techniques. Giving a firm handshake, maintaining eye contact, asking questions and thanking the interviewer will leave a good impression.

For more, please click here.



My first job was performing a variety of family chores, picking up after my dog Samantha, if you know what I mean, and that paid 25 cents a week. While that taught me responsibility, my first job outside the home was a dishwashing position at a Mexican restaurant just walking distance from my house. It paid $2.15 an hour and dinner was deducted from the night’s pay. Depending on staffing, I sometimes bussed tables and prepped corn taco shells in the deep fryer for the cook. Although this was not a plus for my adolescent skin, it didn’t take long to understand that every person had an important role in making sure things ran well and dinners were served promptly and hot! It also taught me that no job is too small to roll up your sleeves and pitch in. I value the opportunity to have served in many roles as it helps to build understanding of processes and develop me as a leader.

San Bernardino, Fontana among best in U.S. for income growth

The two largest cities in San Bernardino County ranked among the Top 10 in the United States for income growth coming out of the pandemic, new research shows.

Using Census Bureau Data, the financial services firm Smart Asset found that median household income in San Bernardino grew from $49,721 in 2019 to $65,311 in 2021, a 31% increase, which was the best of any city of more than 200,000 population.

In Fontana, which ranked 9th in the U.S., median household income rose from $80,800 to $93,851 during that same time frame, a 16.15% increase.

One other Inland Empire city, Moreno Valley in Riverside County, also made the Top 10, with an increase of just under 22%.

Nationally, median household income rose 3% during the two-year period.

Message from the Chair

A job means so much more than pay

William Sterling

WDB Chair

Our featured story this month on youth employment and first jobs mentions an important truism: A job is more than a paycheck. It provides a sense of purpose and identity, fosters personal and professional growth and development, and allows all of us to contribute to society in a multitude of ways.

These benefits are important whether we’re at the start of our work life or nearing the end. In fact, one of the most commonly cited reasons that retirees stay in the workforce is the desire to continue contributing their experience and know-how.

At the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board, we’re here to support business and job growth. Please check out our website for all that our Workforce Development team has to offer.

Monthly Labor Market Update

The total San Bernardino County labor force is approaching 1 million once again. The unemployment rate mirrors the state average, which, despite a slight uptick during the summer, remains low by historical standards. Across the Inland Empire, private education and health services have experienced the highest job growth over the past year, up 12,300, followed by government (up 7,800 jobs) and construction (up 3,800).

Local employers will participate in several hiring events at the County’s America’s Job Centers of California (AJCCs) and other venues in the coming weeks:

Thursday, October 19: Hiring event, West Valley AJCC, 9650 9th St., Suite B, Rancho Cucamonga. 9 a.m.-Noon.

Thursday, October 26: Barstow Job Fair and Expungement Event, Cora Harper Community Center, 841 Barstow Road, Barstow. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Thursday, November 2: Hiring event, East Valley AJCC, 500 Inland Center Drive, Space 508, San Bernardino. 9 a.m.-Noon.

Thursday, November 16: Hiring event, West Valley AJCC, 9650 9th St., Suite B, Rancho Cucamonga. 9 a.m.-Noon.

WDB hosts free virtual seminars throughout the week to help job seekers on topics such as interviewing skills, resume building and navigating the employment resources available during the pandemic. If you know of anyone who could use this valuable assistance, a calendar of upcoming sessions is available here.

In the meantime, here are some upcoming events and release dates:

Friday, October 20: California Employment Development Department releases its September jobs report.

Friday, November 3: Bureau of Labor Statistics releases its October jobs report.

Wednesday, November 8: WDB General Board Meeting, 290 North D St., Suite 600, San Bernardino, 12:30-2:30 p.m.

Visit our YouTube channel to view archived videos of our Business Services webinars, such as this one on the Top 10 ways to stay out of court.

• WIOA Title I-financially assisted programs or activities are an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. For federal funding disclosure information, visit: workforce.sbcounty.gov/about/ffd/