Jobs for Teens
Teen jobs are a wonderful way to earn spending money but they have other benefits too. Workers who attend part time jobs less than 15 hours a week generally get higher grades in school. Job experience is also great for a resume or a college application.
Jobs for teens outside of the home usually require that the child is 16 years old and older. Here are some steps to getting your first job.
1. Get working papers. You can get these from your school guidance counselor or State Department of Labor. This employment certificate tells the employer that you are able to work, how old you are, and that you have had a recent physical check-up.
2. Know the hours you can work. By law, teens under 16 are limited in the hours they can spend at a job. You also need to know the kinds of jobs that are prohibited to you. Besides legal rules, you should know your personal limitations. Will a job interfere with your schooling, family obligations or with your sports?
3. Where do you want to work? Retail, babysitting, and restaurant jobs are the most common opportunities for teens. Young people under the age of 16 have fewer options. If you are only 13, 14 or 15 years old, you might have to settle on babysitting, yard work, summer youth programs with the County, washing cars, and cleaning jobs with neighbors or relatives.
Work for Yourself
Create your own income: There are countless instances of teens starting a small business. Teenagers your age build apps, open restaurants, write blogs, create websites, and invent products.
Offer Your Services
Besides running a business for income, if you are creative, you can use your skills to help others. There are online marketplaces where teens can sell art work, web design, logos, banners, video testimonies, voice overs, handmade jewelry, t-shirts, writing, photography, eBooks, crafts, cartoons, and proofreading services.
Sell Products
If you don’t have skills to offer, how about selling products? You can buy and sell on EBay, Amazon, and other auctions. You can also sell used electronics to websites that recycle.
Work Online
There are a lot of teens who have become successful internet entrepreneurs. There are some who have written and sold books, designed and sold jewelry, started a greeting card business and who have written travel blogs. You can do this to. Young people have less fear. They don't have that voice in their head saying "This won't work."
I firmly believe that teenagers are greatly suited for online work. They are already using the computer and social media sites all day long. Teens are adept at adopting new technology quickly. They also think outside of the box and have amazing creative aptitude. A great ambition coupled with a lot of energy is a recipe for success. With competition increasing for jobs outside of the home, from adults, veterans and retirees, working for oneself is becoming more attractive. Working online eliminates the problem of finding transportation. A young person can set their own hours and income around their schooling and their activities. Please investigate the resources below for some great ideas!
Learn to program and make video games and apps for free! These are free online courses. Programming is an excellent way to get into very lucrative careers. Start now!
Sell t-shirts - http://www.sunfrogshirts.com/Affiliates/ Sign up for the affiliate program, pick out t-shirts, and then promote them on Facebook or Twitter!
Review Music - Slice the Pie www.slicethepie.com - if you are 13 years old or older, you can listen to music, leave a review, and earn money!
Download and play phone apps. Feature Points - www.featurepoints.com Download an app, watch it, and earn points for rewards.
Trade your stuff: Amazon Trade-In Store accepts your used DVDs, CDs, video games, electronics, and books for Amazon gift cards! http://www.amazon.com/Trade-In/b?node=2242532011
Work for Others
The most common employers hiring 16 year olds are retail store and restaurant companies. Teen labor is a great resource for these businesses as teenagers do not need benefits, can live on part time income and there are plenty of kids who want jobs. The drawback to hiring a 16 year old is the limited hours the employee might be able to work.
Figuring out who will employ you is the first step to finding a job. Once you know where you want to apply, find out all about that employer. Learn about the company by visiting the website online, reading employee review sites like Glass Door and YouTube, and stopping by the business. Be able to exhibit your knowledge about the employer in an interview. Know ahead of time what kind of pay and hours they are offering. Practice answering interview questions. If you do land a meeting with the manager, come early, well dressed and prepared with a resume and references. If you follow these tips, you will find employers willing to hire you even if you are 16 years old.
The job you can do depends on your age. If you are 13, 14, and 15 years old, your choices are limited to working for your family and neighbors. There are a few jobs outside the home such as newspaper delivery, youth programs and grocery bagger if you can get them. If you are 16 years old and older, you can work outside of the home and your hours are not limited. You can work for any restaurant, park or retail store that hires teens.
Deliver Newspapers: If you are less than 16 years old, this might be a good option for you. You can accumulate experience that you can use on applications later.
Walk Dogs: This is a great summer job. While owners are out of the house at work, or on vacation, they need someone to give their animals attention.
Mow lawns: This job is good because it is a weekly gig and if you have more than one client, you will make a lot over the summer.
Babysitting: There will always be kids and parents who need childcare. The market for your services is huge.
Volunteer: This will get your foot in the door of the type of job you may want in the future.
Cashier: Restaurants, Gas Stations, Food Stands, Grocery Stores, Clothing Stores, Dollar Stores, Donut Bakeries, and Ice Cream Shops all need cashiers.
Crew Members: This is the title that fast food restaurants use for any member of their food handling team.
Farm work: If you live in the country, you can attend to horses, or help the farmer with crops and cows.
Youth Programs: Your County or City might have a youth program for teens ages 14 and older. Often though, there is a maximum income limit per family. The program provides training and places kids into local jobs.
4. Apply to jobs. You can visit our job board specializing in teenage employment, or you can apply in person. Also check with your school for connections to employers and for announcements on teen job fairs.
Teen job fairs are given by cities, counties, libraries, colleges and by event planners.
Job fairs are being scheduled in March, April and May for the summer season. Competition is heavy, so be sure to attend a fair, make contacts, fill out applications, and meet local employers.
If you are considering attending any summer job fair, and you are a teenager, check with your parents first. Also call the event ahead of time and confirm time, place and registration requirements!
Besides career fairs, there are internship and local youth work programs. Call your city offices and ask if they sponsor a summer workshop. If not, look at museums, local corporations, and colleges for intern jobs for teenagers.
How to Find These Events and Opportunities:
a. Discover your interests
b. Ask if anyone knows anyone who works where you would like to work.
c. Make it known that you are interested in an internship, apprenticeship, shadowing or volunteering.
d. Start small with limited time commitments.
e. Contact your County workforce office and ask about government sponsored summer programs.
f. Call your local Parks and Recreations Department and ask if they have work programs.
g. Contact the Department of Social Services in your area.
h. Search announcements on Google, Facebook, Google Plus and Twitter.
5. Follow up on job applications. If you call or visit the hiring manager, he or she will know that you are ambitious and enthusiastic. Your application might be moved to the top of the pile!
6. Interview with the employer. Your best skill right now is your attitude. Show that you are happy for the opportunity and that you will represent the employer to its customers in the best light.
These steps to finding a teen job are not that different to finding an adult job. However, there are some obstacles unique to the teenage job searcher. Jobs for teens are at an all-time low. The reason is that the downturn in the economy has forced adults to take entry level jobs. Adults have become competition. Even without a poor economy, employers will hire a college student or experienced employee over a teen every time.
For this reason, teens have to be even more diligent in their job search. Look for recommendations and contacts from friends and family members. It's all in who you know. Furthermore, as mentioned previously, enthusiasm can sway a skeptical interviewer. If you are a teen seeking a job, you should be commended. Good luck with your journey.
1. Get working papers. You can get these from your school guidance counselor or State Department of Labor. This employment certificate tells the employer that you are able to work, how old you are, and that you have had a recent physical check-up.
2. Know the hours you can work. By law, teens under 16 are limited in the hours they can spend at a job. You also need to know the kinds of jobs that are prohibited to you. Besides legal rules, you should know your personal limitations. Will a job interfere with your schooling, family obligations or with your sports?
3. Where do you want to work? Retail, babysitting, and restaurant jobs are the most common opportunities for teens. Young people under the age of 16 have fewer options. If you are only 13, 14 or 15 years old, you might have to settle on babysitting, yard work, summer youth programs with the County, washing cars, and cleaning jobs with neighbors or relatives.
Work for Yourself
Create your own income: There are countless instances of teens starting a small business. Teenagers your age build apps, open restaurants, write blogs, create websites, and invent products.
Offer Your Services
Besides running a business for income, if you are creative, you can use your skills to help others. There are online marketplaces where teens can sell art work, web design, logos, banners, video testimonies, voice overs, handmade jewelry, t-shirts, writing, photography, eBooks, crafts, cartoons, and proofreading services.
Sell Products
If you don’t have skills to offer, how about selling products? You can buy and sell on EBay, Amazon, and other auctions. You can also sell used electronics to websites that recycle.
Work Online
There are a lot of teens who have become successful internet entrepreneurs. There are some who have written and sold books, designed and sold jewelry, started a greeting card business and who have written travel blogs. You can do this to. Young people have less fear. They don't have that voice in their head saying "This won't work."
I firmly believe that teenagers are greatly suited for online work. They are already using the computer and social media sites all day long. Teens are adept at adopting new technology quickly. They also think outside of the box and have amazing creative aptitude. A great ambition coupled with a lot of energy is a recipe for success. With competition increasing for jobs outside of the home, from adults, veterans and retirees, working for oneself is becoming more attractive. Working online eliminates the problem of finding transportation. A young person can set their own hours and income around their schooling and their activities. Please investigate the resources below for some great ideas!
Learn to program and make video games and apps for free! These are free online courses. Programming is an excellent way to get into very lucrative careers. Start now!
Sell t-shirts - http://www.sunfrogshirts.com/Affiliates/ Sign up for the affiliate program, pick out t-shirts, and then promote them on Facebook or Twitter!
Review Music - Slice the Pie www.slicethepie.com - if you are 13 years old or older, you can listen to music, leave a review, and earn money!
Download and play phone apps. Feature Points - www.featurepoints.com Download an app, watch it, and earn points for rewards.
Trade your stuff: Amazon Trade-In Store accepts your used DVDs, CDs, video games, electronics, and books for Amazon gift cards! http://www.amazon.com/Trade-In/b?node=2242532011
Work for Others
The most common employers hiring 16 year olds are retail store and restaurant companies. Teen labor is a great resource for these businesses as teenagers do not need benefits, can live on part time income and there are plenty of kids who want jobs. The drawback to hiring a 16 year old is the limited hours the employee might be able to work.
Figuring out who will employ you is the first step to finding a job. Once you know where you want to apply, find out all about that employer. Learn about the company by visiting the website online, reading employee review sites like Glass Door and YouTube, and stopping by the business. Be able to exhibit your knowledge about the employer in an interview. Know ahead of time what kind of pay and hours they are offering. Practice answering interview questions. If you do land a meeting with the manager, come early, well dressed and prepared with a resume and references. If you follow these tips, you will find employers willing to hire you even if you are 16 years old.
The job you can do depends on your age. If you are 13, 14, and 15 years old, your choices are limited to working for your family and neighbors. There are a few jobs outside the home such as newspaper delivery, youth programs and grocery bagger if you can get them. If you are 16 years old and older, you can work outside of the home and your hours are not limited. You can work for any restaurant, park or retail store that hires teens.
Deliver Newspapers: If you are less than 16 years old, this might be a good option for you. You can accumulate experience that you can use on applications later.
Walk Dogs: This is a great summer job. While owners are out of the house at work, or on vacation, they need someone to give their animals attention.
Mow lawns: This job is good because it is a weekly gig and if you have more than one client, you will make a lot over the summer.
Babysitting: There will always be kids and parents who need childcare. The market for your services is huge.
Volunteer: This will get your foot in the door of the type of job you may want in the future.
Cashier: Restaurants, Gas Stations, Food Stands, Grocery Stores, Clothing Stores, Dollar Stores, Donut Bakeries, and Ice Cream Shops all need cashiers.
Crew Members: This is the title that fast food restaurants use for any member of their food handling team.
Farm work: If you live in the country, you can attend to horses, or help the farmer with crops and cows.
Youth Programs: Your County or City might have a youth program for teens ages 14 and older. Often though, there is a maximum income limit per family. The program provides training and places kids into local jobs.
4. Apply to jobs. You can visit our job board specializing in teenage employment, or you can apply in person. Also check with your school for connections to employers and for announcements on teen job fairs.
Teen job fairs are given by cities, counties, libraries, colleges and by event planners.
Job fairs are being scheduled in March, April and May for the summer season. Competition is heavy, so be sure to attend a fair, make contacts, fill out applications, and meet local employers.
If you are considering attending any summer job fair, and you are a teenager, check with your parents first. Also call the event ahead of time and confirm time, place and registration requirements!
Besides career fairs, there are internship and local youth work programs. Call your city offices and ask if they sponsor a summer workshop. If not, look at museums, local corporations, and colleges for intern jobs for teenagers.
How to Find These Events and Opportunities:
a. Discover your interests
b. Ask if anyone knows anyone who works where you would like to work.
c. Make it known that you are interested in an internship, apprenticeship, shadowing or volunteering.
d. Start small with limited time commitments.
e. Contact your County workforce office and ask about government sponsored summer programs.
f. Call your local Parks and Recreations Department and ask if they have work programs.
g. Contact the Department of Social Services in your area.
h. Search announcements on Google, Facebook, Google Plus and Twitter.
5. Follow up on job applications. If you call or visit the hiring manager, he or she will know that you are ambitious and enthusiastic. Your application might be moved to the top of the pile!
6. Interview with the employer. Your best skill right now is your attitude. Show that you are happy for the opportunity and that you will represent the employer to its customers in the best light.
These steps to finding a teen job are not that different to finding an adult job. However, there are some obstacles unique to the teenage job searcher. Jobs for teens are at an all-time low. The reason is that the downturn in the economy has forced adults to take entry level jobs. Adults have become competition. Even without a poor economy, employers will hire a college student or experienced employee over a teen every time.
For this reason, teens have to be even more diligent in their job search. Look for recommendations and contacts from friends and family members. It's all in who you know. Furthermore, as mentioned previously, enthusiasm can sway a skeptical interviewer. If you are a teen seeking a job, you should be commended. Good luck with your journey.
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