Buzz
Many young people seek jobs for various reasons—whether it's to support their family or simply to have some spending money. However, securing a job isn't always straightforward, especially when you’re 16 and lack higher education or experience. Despite these challenges, there are still plenty of opportunities for teenagers to find employment by understanding age limits, creating a resume, leveraging connections, crafting your own job, exploring online work, and excelling in interviews.
Steps to Take
Exploring Your Options
Be mindful of age restrictions. Before diving into job hunting, make sure you’re eligible to work. Both federal and state laws often set minimum age requirements, and some jobs may have age limits. Research the laws in your state to avoid surprises. You may also need to contact your school to see if they require any special paperwork. Additionally, individual companies might set their own age limits, so be sure to check the requirements before filling out applications to avoid wasting time on jobs that hire only those 18 or older.
Leverage your network. One of the most valuable—and often difficult—parts of job hunting is simply asking for help. Reach out to everyone you know and let them know you're on the lookout for work. Don’t hesitate to ask adults in your life, such as parents, relatives, teachers, counselors, or community leaders. These connections can be particularly useful for informal jobs like babysitting or lawn maintenance.
- Additionally, you might know someone working in places that hire teenagers for roles like filing, assisting, or cleaning.
- Once you've made the ask, especially if the person promises to check for opportunities, be sure to follow up with them later to see if they found anything out.
Consider creating your own job. Instead of searching for a role within a company, think about creating your own employment opportunities. Self-employment allows for more flexibility, both in terms of hours and workload. When discussing job ideas with your network, be sure to mention your interest in being self-employed.
- Common self-employment jobs for teens include babysitting (always in demand), lawn care (like mowing, gardening, or basic landscaping), dog walking, and car washing. If you can legally drive, you could even offer delivery services for items like groceries or dry cleaning.
- Many people have tasks they need help with, and as a teenager, you may be able to charge less than an adult would, making your services even more appealing. Keep an open mind about the kinds of opportunities that might be available.
Don’t hesitate to volunteer. Volunteering can be an excellent way to develop skills that make you more attractive to employers. If you're willing to volunteer regularly, it can help you build relationships with an organization that could lead to paid work down the road.
- If the organization begins hiring, you’ll be a stronger candidate since you already understand their environment and goals.
Explore online job opportunities. With the rise of remote work, online jobs are a great option for teens. If you're a skilled writer, there are numerous online platforms offering freelance gigs. Age usually isn't a barrier if your writing is up to par. Similarly, if you have experience with website design or graphic design, that could open up other opportunities.
- Keep in mind that some freelance positions may have specific requirements, such as a degree, work experience, or an age restriction. Be sure to read the job description carefully before applying.
- Consider setting up an online business, such as selling comics, antiques, or other items. If a platform like eBay has an age restriction, your parents can help set up an account for you, allowing you to handle the selling process.
- Online jobs are perfect if you're still in school because they often don’t require set hours. You can work when it fits your schedule, taking on extra work during breaks or days off.
Be open to all possibilities. While age can limit some job options, there are still plenty of opportunities out there. Many restaurants, retail businesses, or agricultural jobs welcome younger employees. Don't be too quick to dismiss these roles, even if they aren't your dream job. At 16, this is likely just a stepping stone, so be willing to take on work you may not love to gain valuable experience and earn some money in the meantime.
Presenting Yourself in the Best Light
Gather your documentation. Before applying for jobs, make sure you have the required paperwork and identification. Most employers will ask for a photo ID—such as a driver's license, but if you don’t have one yet, a passport can serve as an alternative. Know your Social Security number and bring the Social Security card along when filling out applications or tax forms. Additionally, you may need a work permit, possibly signed by your parents, to prove you are eligible to work.
- It’s a good idea to gather all these documents before you start the application process to ensure you have everything you need on hand.
Craft a Resume. While it may not be strictly necessary for many entry-level jobs, creating a resume can still be beneficial. Even if you don’t have formal work experience, you can highlight your academic achievements, work ethic, and soft skills such as reliability and enthusiasm. A well-crafted resume allows you to present yourself in the best possible light.
- If you’ve volunteered, mention that experience and how it’s helped you grow as a worker. For example, maybe you excelled in a fundraiser, showing you have sales potential, or maybe you won an award in a science competition, which highlights your problem-solving abilities. Hobbies also demonstrate valuable skills—being in a choir could showcase teamwork and commitment.
- Tailor your resume to the job you're applying for, emphasizing the skills that are most relevant to the position.
- One advantage of writing a resume at 16 is that many of your peers might not have one, giving you a competitive edge.
Prepare for your interview. Interviewing can be tricky for many people, even adults, so it’s important to practice beforehand. Ask adults in your life what kinds of questions they were asked. If you know other teenagers who work where you're applying, ask them about their interview experiences. Make a list of likely interview questions and rehearse your answers.
- Common questions include: What makes you a good fit for this job? What can you bring to the company? What experience or skills make you qualified for the role?
- Maintaining a positive attitude going into the interview is crucial. Remind yourself that you’re the right person for the job. If you believe in yourself, it will be easier to convince others.
- Don’t stress over small mistakes—interviewers understand that nerves are part of the process.
- Prepare one thoughtful question to ask at the end of the interview. This shows you're genuinely interested and motivated.
Take extra training courses. One way to set yourself apart from other applicants is to pursue additional training. Courses in areas like CPR, basic first aid, or customer service can give you a competitive advantage.
- If you’re looking into babysitting, CPR and first aid certifications will reassure parents that you’re ready for any emergency. These certifications are also beneficial if you're considering jobs like lifeguarding at the community pool.
Join the Conversation...
Hey, I’m 16 and looking for a well-paying job, but I’m not sure where I can apply as a minor. Any advice?
Kolby Goodman
Career & Job Search Expert
Career & Job Search Expert
If you're hoping to find a job during high school that not only offers decent pay but also sets you up for a successful career later on, I highly recommend reaching out to local small businesses in your area.
Look into their administrative or marketing challenges and discuss how you could help out. This type of work will give you valuable business experience that goes beyond the typical teenage jobs like working in fast food.
Additionally, it gives you the chance to solve more interesting and complex problems, while adding real value to the business.
Look into their administrative or marketing challenges and discuss how you could help out. This type of work will give you valuable business experience that goes beyond the typical teenage jobs like working in fast food.
Additionally, it gives you the chance to solve more interesting and complex problems, while adding real value to the business.
If you're still in school, you might want to consider offering services online, as remote part-time jobs are generally easier to balance than full-time in-person work. Although your options might be limited, you could consider tutoring kids in subjects you're strong in, selling crafts on Etsy, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace, or even reselling used clothes on Poshmark. Another option is becoming a social media influencer or YouTuber, but I wouldn’t bet everything on that path—though you never know, it could take off!
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Join the discussion-
Don’t limit yourself to the jobs you assume are available to teenagers. If you're passionate about finance or business and would enjoy a job at a bank, visit a few local banks to inquire about any opportunities. The worst that can happen is they say they can’t hire you, but you might find an unexpected opportunity.
Important Tips
- If you’re aiming for a summer job and plan to leave when school resumes, it’s best not to mention this to your employer right away. If the position is advertised as a summer-only job, there’s no issue. Otherwise, simply accept the offer and inform them at the end of summer that you’ll be returning to school.
