Your Free Teen Job Search Guide

Understanding Teen Employment Laws and Your Rights

Before searching for your first job, it's important to understand the laws that protect young workers. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets federal rules about how old you must be to work, how many hours you can work, and what kinds of jobs are safe for teenagers. These rules exist because your health, education, and safety matter.

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Most states require you to be at least 14 years old to work, though some jobs have higher age requirements. If you're 14 or 15, federal law limits you to working 3 hours on school days and 8 hours on non-school days, with a maximum of 18 hours per week during the school year. When school is out, you can work up to 40 hours per week. These limits exist so your job doesn't interfere with your education and you have time to rest and be a teenager.

There are also restrictions on the types of work teenagers can do. Jobs involving hazardous equipment, driving, or heavy lifting may not be available to you depending on your age. For example, you generally cannot operate power saws, work at heights, or handle certain chemicals until you're older. Your state may have stricter rules than federal law, so checking your state's labor department website helps you understand local requirements.

You have rights as a young worker, including the right to be paid at least minimum wage (which varies by state), the right to a safe workplace, and the right to not be discriminated against because of your race, gender, religion, or other protected characteristics. Employers also cannot punish you for reporting unsafe conditions or wage violations. Understanding these protections helps you recognize when something isn't right and know where to turn for information.

Practical Takeaway: Visit your state's labor department website before your job search to learn your specific age requirements, hour limits, and job restrictions. This knowledge protects you and helps you make informed decisions about which jobs to pursue.

Where to Search for Teen-Friendly Job Opportunities

Finding a teen job involves looking in several places because employers advertise openings through different channels. Many teens start by exploring job boards online, which are websites where businesses post open positions. Popular general job boards include Indeed, LinkedIn Jobs, and Google Jobs. These sites let you search by location, job type, and experience level. You can filter results to show positions that hire at 14, 15, or 16 years old, which saves time since not all postings are suitable for teenagers.

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Local businesses often hire teens directly. Walk into or check the websites of retail stores, fast food restaurants, grocery stores, movie theaters, ice cream shops, and other businesses in your community. Many of these places have hiring notices in their windows or applications available at the front desk. This "boots on the ground" approach works well because you can ask about current openings and sometimes meet the manager right away. Speaking to someone face-to-face shows initiative and can make an impression.

Community resources also post teen job information. Your school's career center often has a job board with positions specifically for students. Libraries frequently maintain bulletin boards with local employment opportunities. Community centers, YMCA locations, and Parks and Recreation departments sometimes hire teens for summer programs, camps, or facility work. The Small Business Administration runs a website called SCORE that connects young people with mentors and may have job resources specific to your area.

Seasonal and summer-specific job boards cater to students looking for temporary work. Websites like CoolWorks, SummerJobs.com, and Snagajob focus on seasonal positions at camps, resorts, parks, and other businesses that ramp up hiring during school breaks. These sites often have sections specifically for teen workers and show positions with flexible schedules that don't conflict with school.

Don't overlook networking through people you know. Tell family members, relatives, family friends, and neighbors that you're looking for work. Many jobs get filled through referrals before they're ever posted publicly. Someone in your circle may work somewhere that's hiring or know a business owner who needs help. Personal connections can open doors and give you an advantage because the employer already knows someone who can vouch for you.

Practical Takeaway: Create a search plan that includes at least three different job sources—such as one online job board, 3-5 local businesses you'll visit in person, and your school's career center. Searching in multiple places increases your chances of finding positions that match your interests and schedule.

Building a Teen Resume and Job Application Materials

A resume is a document that shows employers what skills, experience, and education you have. For teens, your first resume might be shorter than an adult's, and that's completely normal. You don't need extensive work history—you're just starting out. A teen resume typically includes your name and contact information at the top, followed by sections for education, skills, work experience (if any), volunteer experience, school activities, and awards or recognition.

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If you've never worked before, focus on other experiences that show responsibility and reliability. Babysitting, lawn care, pet sitting, tutoring younger students, or helping with family projects all count as experience. Volunteer work at your school, community center, animal shelter, food bank, or church demonstrates that you can commit to tasks and work with others. School activities like sports teams, clubs, debate team, or student government show you're involved and can manage your time. These experiences matter because they tell employers something about your character and work ethic.

Your skills section should include abilities relevant to the job you're seeking. If you're applying to a grocery store, mention skills like customer service, cash handling (if you've done it), attention to detail, and physical stamina. For a tutoring role, highlight subjects you excel in, communication skills, and patience. Computer skills matter for many jobs—mention if you're comfortable with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, social media platforms, or other software. Language skills are valuable too. Even basic skills like being organized, punctual, friendly, and a quick learner belong on your resume.

When filling out job applications, read all instructions carefully and answer every required field completely. Spell your name correctly, use a professional email address (something like firstname.lastname@email.com rather than a playful nickname), and include a phone number where the employer can reach you. Be honest about your age, availability, and experience. Employers appreciate honesty and are more likely to trust someone who's straightforward. Keep application information consistent across all your submissions—don't change your contact information or dates of availability between applications.

Your cover letter is a short note that goes with your resume, explaining why you want the job and why you'd be good at it. For teens, a cover letter can be brief—3-4 short paragraphs is enough. Address it to the hiring manager or manager by name if possible (check the company's website or call to ask). Explain what job you're interested in, mention one or two reasons you want to work there (like you shop there regularly, you've heard good things, or you admire their values), and highlight one skill or quality that makes you a good fit. Keep your tone professional but friendly, and proofread for spelling and grammar mistakes.

Practical Takeaway: Create a simple one-page resume that honestly reflects your education, skills, volunteer work, and activities. Customize your cover letter for each position by mentioning the specific job title and company, showing that you're genuinely interested rather than sending a generic letter to every employer.

Preparing for Job Interviews and Making a Strong First Impression

An interview is a conversation between you and an employer to learn about each other. The employer wants to know if you're reliable, coachable, and a good fit for the team. You're learning whether the job matches what you're looking for. Preparation makes a huge difference in how you feel and how you perform. Start by researching the company—visit their website, read their social media, learn what they do, and understand their values. If it's a large chain, learn about that specific location. If it's a small family business, you might learn about its history and community involvement. This knowledge helps you answer questions thoughtfully and ask meaningful questions of your own.

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Prepare answers to common interview questions before the interview happens. Employers frequently ask "Tell me about yourself" (which is really asking for a brief overview of your background and why you're interested in the job), "Why do you want to work here?" (specific reasons you chose their company), and "What are your strengths?" (honest qualities that matter for the position). Practice answering these questions out loud, not in your head. Say your answers to a mirror, to a