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How to get a job as a teenager with no experience

By Zippia Team - Jul. 31, 2023

To get a job as a teenager with no experience, use this guide:

  • Look online for job listings. You can check online job listings to determine what jobs are available in your specific location.

    There are many different websites that can provide this service, and you can search specific zip codes to be sure your results only reflect job openings that are near you.

    You can also tailor your searches to specific types of jobs or industries. As a teen, you are likely to find many suitable options in the food and retail industries; however, there are other positions, such as ones at movie theaters that provide great job opportunities for teens.

    Many of these job websites also give you the opportunity to upload your resume and create a profile, which can make the application process simple and fast.

    Being a teenager with no experience, you should look mostly at entry-level part-time positions. These are jobs that you can have after school during the week and at only time on the weekends.

  • Look for help wanted signs. If you live in a pedestrian or bike-friendly place that has a business hub or main street, you can also take the old-fashioned approach to job hunting and look for help-wanted signs.

    Many of the places that have these signs could be appropriate for a teenager. You can also just go into establishments you often go to or ones that you find interesting and ask if they are hiring.

  • Talk with adults about job opportunities. In addition to searching online and looking for help wanted signs, another great way to find work as a teenager is to ask the adults you know if they are aware of any job openings.

    Networking with adults in this way is often a quick way to find a job because they may know of appropriate jobs that may not be listed online or ones that aren't behind the counter of a store or restaurant.

  • Attempt to find work that aligns with your interests. Letting your interests guide you is a great way to find a job that you might genuinely enjoy.

    Though you might feel that any job will suffice, as long as you're making decent money, you should try to find something that appeals to a hobby you have or a particular kind of product you like.

    This way, you might enjoy the work you do and actually learn more about something you are interested in.

    Some examples of this strategy are:

    • If you like movies and maybe even want to attend a film school one day, look for a position in a movie theater or novelty shop.

    • If you are passionate about the outdoors, perhaps you could find a landscaping role or even a camp counselor position (though this will likely only apply to the summer)

    • Do you like staying busy? Maybe a job at a moving company, car wash, or cleaning company will suit you well.

Also, the job doesn't have to be a perfect fit in terms of your interest, even if it just has some aspects you think you might like, this is a good starting point.

  • Obtain a work permit if necessary. Certain cities and states require minors to get work permits. If you are under 16, you are more likely to require a work permit; however, certain locations require them for anyone under the age of 18.

    Work permits are granted by the labor department. Your high school is likely able to assist you in obtaining one. Many labor departments also require a letter from your school in order to issue you the permit.

  • Get references from adults you know. You should obtain references from adults you know that can vouch for your work ethic and other skills and qualities.

    There are many great adult options for references, such as teachers, coaches, religious leaders, and school administration officials.

    If possible, get references from adults you've actually worked for. Whether it's your neighbor whose yard you've mowed or a family who you've babysat for, these people are valuable resources that can attest to your good work and help you get a job.

    You can even get the reference of an adult you've worked for where payment wasn't part of the deal. Maybe you helped a relative clean out their garage or helped paint an elderly person's house.

    Just because you weren't paid doesn't make these people bad options for references; in fact, it actually shows your employer you've got character.

  • Write a resume. If you don't have any professional work experience, that's okay. You can still write a resume and fill it with any kind of work-related experience, such as odd jobs you've had or ones where you weren't paid for the work.

    And if none of this applies, that's okay too, because you can put education details and skills from school, sports, and other extracurricular activities.

    When filling in details about your education, it's important to include things like your GPA and extracurricular activities, whether they are sports or specific clubs; this is all appropriate information for your resume. Volunteer work is another great option for something to include on your resume.

    The truth is most teen-appropriate jobs don't require a resume; they usually just have an application for you to fill out. However, it is still recommended that you write one simply for the practice of doing it and because presenting a resume may give a great impression to your potential employer.

  • If you can't find a job, create your own. Some areas of the country have sparse job opportunities for teens, but you shouldn't let this stop you. Typically, self-employed teens are known for services such as lawn care and babysitting; however, you do not need to be limited to these either.

  • Are you an expert at social media? This is an incredibly valuable asset in the modern age. You could offer social media management services to local businesses, many of whom lack social media accounts and skills.

    Do you consider yourself a great organizer? Perhaps you want to start a service geared at cleaning out people's closets and garages.

    There are many different possibilities to consider, and the great thing about this option is you get to tailor your service to something you are skilled at or love, or even better, both.

    The only downside to this option is that you will have to come up with pricing for your services and market yourself. Marketing through social media is a great start.

    How to get a job as a teenager with no experience

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