Teen Talk: How to Find a Job

Teen Talk: How to Find a Job

Getting a job can be very exciting. It gives you the opportunity to earn your own money, learn new skills, build your experience, and see what kind of work activities and responsibilities you enjoy. But where do you start? These tips are designed to help you find jobs you’re interested in and put your best foot forward to land interviews.

Start your job search early

It can take several months to find the right job, so give yourself a good head start. If your plan is getting a summer job, for example, you may want to start job hunting in early spring. Employers plan ahead to have their summer team in place, so make sure you’re in the running!

Know the legal guidelines

Federal and state regulations limit the type of work teens can do at various ages, so visit YouthRules.gov to learn which jobs you may qualify for before you start looking. Overall, you need to be at least 14 to work in a nonagricultural job in the U.S., and if you’re under 18, you can’t work at a job that puts you at physical risk — operating a deli meat slicer or working with power tools, for example. States may have additional guidelines. Check to see if your state requires teens to get a Minor Work Permit prior to starting a job. 

Think about the kind of job you want

Next, think about what type of work you might enjoy. Can you envision yourself working in a local store or restaurant? Fast food? A movie theater? Do you enjoy outdoor work? Do you like meeting a lot of people or prefer to work alone?

Retail stores often hire teens as sales associates, cashiers and stockers. In foodservice, jobs may include cashiers, hosts, servers, baristas, food-prep workers, dishwashers and bussers. Landscapers, city pools, golf courses, sports arenas and summer camps sometimes hire teens to fill a variety of positions, too. And don’t forget to consider providing services on your own — tutoring, babysitting, dog walking, pet sitting, errand running, house painting, window washing, vehicle washing and detailing, etc.

While it’s good to have an idea of what kind of work you’d really like to be doing, it’s also important to keep an open mind. Even opportunities that don’t fit the mold of your "dream job" can help you develop new skills, build experience and move forward on your professional path.

Highlight your strengths in a resume

Some people think a resume is just a listing of your job experience; it’s actually much more than that. Whether you have had previous jobs or this will be your first, your resume is a one-page summary that tells potential employers who you are and what you have accomplished in your life so far.

You can choose from a variety of online resume templates and include information such as your:

• Contact details - name, phone, email, city and state
• Professional objective - “seeking to gain experience in the retail industry,” for example
• Strengths - “reliable,” “personable,” “organized,” “detail-oriented,” etc.
• Education - school; GPA; relevant coursework; academic honors, achievements and enrichment programs such as science or college prep camps
• Experience - paid or volunteer jobs you have held; extracurricular activities including sports teams, theater, band or clubs; your responsibilities in each of these areas (be sure to mention if you’ve held a leadership role)
• Community service projects or affiliations - working at your local foodbank or on a neighborhood clean-up project, for example
• Skills – “strong communication and time management skills,” “proficient with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, communication and collaboration tools,” etc.

Know where to look for jobs

Sometimes finding a job you want to apply for is as easy as spotting a HELP WANTED sign in the window of a local business. Other times, you have to hunt. Fortunately, there are many places you can look:

• Online job boards such as ZipRecruiter, Indeed and Snagajob
• Social platforms including LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook Marketplace
• Company websites
• Local community job postings (check your community center, city hall and local businesses)
• Local newspaper
• Family, neighbors and friends (ask if they know of any openings)

Apply, apply, apply!

If a job seems interesting and you meet its qualifications, apply for it right away. Don’t count on that one application to come through, either — the job market is competitive. Check job listings daily and aim to apply for at least one or two each day until you start getting responses and setting up interviews. The more applications you submit, the more likely it will be that you’ll hear back from an interested employer.

Be sure to include a cover letter when it’s possible (some online applications don’t allow cover letters). This letter gives you the opportunity to summarize the high points of your resume, explain why you’re interested in the particular job you’re applying for and highlight the skills that best fit the qualifications described in their job posting.

Communicate

When you get a response from a potential employer, be sure to reply as soon as you can. If they email or call you inviting you to schedule an interview, answer that email or call immediately to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position. If you apply but hear nothing after two weeks, consider sending a polite message asking about the status of your application: “Have you filled the position yet? Is there any additional information I can provide to help you evaluate my application?”

Keep trying!

When you’re looking for a job, persistence is the name of the game. There are a lot of other teens out there job-hunting, too, so just keep working your strategy until you find the right fit!

A note about employment scams

It’s important to be aware that scammers prey on job seekers by posting fake job listings and posing as a legitimate employer. They will frequently “hire” candidates on the spot and then ask for personal information and sometimes money, which they claim is for training or supplies to get you started in the job.

How to protect yourself: Don’t respond to any job posting until you verify the legitimacy of the company and its post. Check the company’s official website to see if the job is posted there or call the contact number posted on the site to confirm the job listing is authentic. Never share your Social Security number, bank account information or other private data on social media or by email; legitimate employers will never ask you to risk your personal information.
 

This article is for general information purposes only and is not intended to provide legal, tax, accounting or financial advice. Any reliance on the information herein is solely and exclusively at your own risk and you are urged to do your own independent research. To the extent information herein references an outside resource or Internet site, Dollar Bank is not responsible for information, products or services obtained from outside sources and Dollar Bank will not be liable for any damages that may result from your access to outside resources. As always, please consult your own counsel, accountant, or other advisor regarding your specific situation.