Parents help a teen get a first job most by coaching, not doing. Help your teen list nearby places that hire teens, put together a simple resume, practice a short interview and check whether your state requires a work permit, then let them make the calls and show up. Keeping the job comes down to reliability: on time, prepared, and communicating early.
Where teens tend to find first jobs
- Restaurants, cafes and ice cream shops
- Grocery stores and retail
- Movie theaters, bowling alleys and recreation centers
- Summer camps and day programs
- Lifeguarding and pool staff (usually requires a certification course)
- Babysitting, tutoring younger kids, pet sitting and yard work
- Family friends’ businesses and local offices
Walking in and asking for the manager still works at many local businesses. Online applications are common for larger chains.
Step by step: getting the job
- Check the rules. Federal and state laws limit hours and types of work for younger teens, and some states require a work permit. Your state labor department or the school counselor can tell you what applies.
- Make a one-page resume. Contact info, school, activities, volunteer work, skills and any babysitting or informal work. No experience is expected.
- Set up a professional email. First and last name is ideal.
- List 10 places. Close to home or on a transit line, with hours that fit school.
- Apply in person or online. Your teen should make the calls and walk in, not you.
- Practice the interview. Ask the common questions out loud: tell me about yourself, why do you want to work here, what is your availability, how would you handle an upset customer.
- Follow up. A short call or visit a few days later shows initiative.
What to wear and bring
- Clean, neat clothes a step above what the staff wear
- A printed resume
- A list of availability, including school and activity schedules
- A parent’s contact information if a minor’s paperwork is needed
Keeping the job
Most first jobs are lost for simple reasons, not skill. Talk through these before day one:
- Be on time. Plan the ride, and arrive ten minutes early.
- Check the schedule. Put every shift on one calendar as soon as it is posted.
- Communicate early. If you are sick or have a conflict, tell the manager as soon as you know, not ten minutes before the shift.
- Phone away while working.
- Ask when unsure. Managers would rather answer a question than fix a mistake.
- Leave well. Give notice before quitting. That manager may be a reference later.
Balancing work and school
Agree on a limit for school-year hours and a rule for what happens if grades slip. Review it after the first month. If homework is already a struggle, see our guide on ending homework battles before adding shifts.
When things go wrong at work
A rude customer, a difficult manager or a mistake on the register are part of every first job. Resist the urge to call the manager. Instead, help your teen think through what happened and what they could say. Learning to handle a workplace problem on their own is one of the most valuable things a first job teaches.
Money basics to start now
- Open a bank account together and set up direct deposit
- Read the first pay stub together, including taxes withheld
- Agree on a simple split: some to spend, some to save
- Talk about a goal, like a car, a trip or money for college
Where a mentor helps
A first job is a big step in independence, and a mentor can help with each part: building the list, practicing interviews, planning around school and talking through problems at work as they happen. Money skills are part of our money and life skills focus area too.
For high school students, a parent joins the free intro call, helps agree the goals and receives regular progress updates. Learn more about mentoring for high school students.
Related
- How to build confidence in a teenager
- Planning a productive summer
- First job after college
- Money and life skills
- Helping a Teen Choose a Career Path
Common questions
What age can a teen get a job?
Under federal law, most non-farm jobs start at 14, with limits on hours and job types until 18. States add their own rules, so check with your state labor department.
Should I call employers for my teen?
No. Help them prepare, then let them make the calls. Employers want to hear from the teen.
How many hours should a teen work during the school year?
It depends on the teen and their course load. Start modest, agree on a limit together and review it after the first month.
Get started
Want support as your teen takes this step? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.