Persistence and a good word from Uncle Sam helped Gary Ghormley land a summer job.

"I just kept going back and I brought in my military records," said Ghormley, 25, fresh from a six-year stint in the Navy. He'll work at Gordon Biersch restaurant in Midtown this summer before starting Georgia Tech this fall.

LOUIE FAVORITE/AJC (ENLARGE)

Gary Ghormley in his summer job at Gordon Biersch Brewpub in Midtown. He has served in the Navy and will be attending Georgia Tech in the fall.

JOB-HUNTING TIPS Getting a job this summer may be difficult but not impossible. Here's how you can increase your chances: - Get going. Most companies expect to fill their seasonal jobs this month. - If you don't have a resume, get one. You can get free help creating one at any state labor department career center. - Brush up on your interviewing skills. - Pay attention to your appearance. Dress appropriately. No jeans, T-shirts or flip flops. - Be enthusiastic and persistent. Don't get discouraged. - Be flexible. Employers are looking for people who won't balk at working weekends, nights or overtime. Generally, the best work schedules go to seasoned and full-time staff. - Don't overlook volunteer or non-paying jobs. They may not add to your wallet, but they do enhance your resume. Source: The Georgia Department of Labor; snagajob.com BUSINESS Latest Headlines: Delta flight to Atlanta diverted to Chattanooga  Lenox Square adds 6 new stores, Italian restaurant  ASA furloughs 56 more pilots  St. Joseph's, United Healthcare contract may end  Invesco picked to help revive 'toxic asset' market  • More business news • Business photo galleries

Ghormley's lucky.

This summer is likely to be one of the worst job markets on record for high school and college students, state and local experts on the economy say.

With a national housing slump in full force and ever-increasing layoffs, and with food and gas prices skyrocketing, Americans this summer are likely to be spending less time in restaurants, malls and amusement parks. Those are the usual havens for young workers.

Nearly half of hiring managers at retailers and restaurants nationwide said they don't plan to hire seasonal workers this year due to economic uncertainty, according to a survey by snagajob.com, an online job site for hourly workers.

Those who are hiring are relying on people who've worked for them before, the survey noted.

Jobs once considered the domain of teenagers are being scooped up by the retired, the recently laid-off and others.

"We've seen a lot more retirees applying for jobs and a lot more people who are looking for second jobs," said Hela Sheth, a spokeswoman for Six Flags Atlanta Properties, which includes Six Flags Over Georgia and White Water. "Of course during the summer we see a nice number of teachers come in to apply because we're seasonal."

The two parks combined employ about 2,500 people and are among the largest employers of teenagers in metro Atlanta. Six Flags recently cut its admission price to draw more people.

Despite the shaky economy, the two parks have "hundreds of jobs" available this summer for workers as young as 16 years old. The parks are looking for entertainers, dancers, ride operators, ticket takers, admissions and food service workers, aquatics and "outgoing people for games and attractions," Sheth said.

Unlike past legions of teen workers, this year's crop may be under even greater pressure to find jobs. Many high school and college students may feel obligated to pitch in to help with family bills and debts, experts said.

"Clearly the economy is tough for most people," said David Madland, director of The American Worker project at the Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C. "But it's especially tough for young people right now."

How tough?

Nationally, about 35 percent of teenagers (those between the ages of 16 and 19) were employed last month, Madland said. In the late 1990s, nearly half of American teenagers were working. By contrast, nearly 7 in 10 workers who are 20 and older were employed in April, Madland said.

Georgia State University freshman James Kwon works at his family's restaurant. "But I'd like an additional job," the 19-year-old film major said. He has looked casually but hasn't come across anything yet.

Georgia teens may face a slightly better job market, said John Lawrence, assistant director of Workforce Information and Analysis at the Georgia Department of Labor. Warmer weather helped the state's leisure and hospitality industries expand by 4,900 jobs in March. That was up 1.3 percent from February.

Likewise Georgia's retail trade — which includes grocery stores, restaurants, clothing shops and the like — added 6,400 jobs between March 2007 and March of this year. One area of retail trade, general merchandisers like Wal-Mart, however, was down a half percent — or 500 jobs — during the same time period.

Even though Georgia's growth has been relatively strong, young people still face a tough summer.

"Teenagers are up against more workers and fewer jobs," Lawrence said.

Georgians who were laid off at the start of this year are coming to the end of their 26-week unemployment benefits. What's more, the number of first-time filers for unemployment benefits in April rose to 51,604. That's up 21.3 percent from March, according to the state labor department's most recent report, released this week.

Initial claims are considered a good economic indicator because it measures newly unemployed workers. New claims in Georgia are up 52.7 percent from April 2007, when 33,784 people filed for first-time jobless benefits.

Summer isn't a big hiring season at Gordon Biersch, which caters mostly to workers at nearby businesses.

"It slows down," assistant general manager Jeff Stamp said, because regular patrons go on vacation.

But Ghormley snared his job because "he was very persistent," Stamp said. "He came back three weeks in a row. He can have his job as long as he wants. He does a good job for us."