Are you a teen looking for a job? Here are some tips to help you get
going on your search.
Teen Job Search Guide
Information on jobs for teens, including how to find a job, where to get working papers, where teens can work, what to wear for an interview, and how to obtain references.
Child Labor Laws
There are laws restricting
when you can work and what you can do. Teens hired for nonagricultural
employment (which is just about everything other than farm work) must be at
least fourteen.
Other restrictions also apply:
-
Ages
14 and 15: During the school year, hours are limited to 3
hours a day and 18 hours a week. On days when there's no school
and in the summer, working hours increase to 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week.
There are limits on when you can work, too - no later than 7 p.m. during
the school year and no later than 9 p.m. between June 1 and Labor Day.
-
Ages
16 and 17: There's no limit on hours, but, if you're under
18 you can't work in a job that the Labor Department considers
hazardous.
Working Papers (Employment / Age Certificates)
In some states,
if you're under eighteen, you may need to obtain working papers (officially
called Employment/Age Certificates) in order to legally be able to work.
You may be able to get the form at school. Otherwise, you can get one at your
state Department of Labor. Check the
Employment/Age Certification list to see which guidelines apply to you. If
it's school, check with your Guidance Office. If it's the Department of
Labor, check with your state office.
Some states, like New York, for example, have special sections of their web
sites on Youth
Jobs, which will give you the information you need.
Dream
Jobs - or Not!
Once you've got the paperwork in order,
consider what you would like to do. Are you interested in working with
little
kids? Take a look at
after-school programs, child care centers, or summer camp jobs. How about working on the beach
or the ski slopes,
at a park, in the mountains, or at another outdoor job? Consider a
job
at a museum,
a hospital, at
a zoo, or at some other organization related to your career aspirations. Here is a list of teen job options.
The jobs you have during high school will give you some idea of what you might
want to do later on. They also might give you an idea about some jobs you
absolutely don't want to do!
Finding
a Job
Check
with your high school Guidance Office and ask how they can assist with your job
search. They may have postings for local businesses, for
babysitting or for other part-time positions.
Next, tell
everyone you know that you're looking for work. Speak with teachers,
family, coaches, friends, parents of friends - anyone and everyone you can think
of - and ask for help. Most jobs are found through referrals and people
you know are often happy to assist.
How about
starting your own business? Consider your own skills and interests as well
as the needs of the local economy where you will be spending your summer.
Possible ventures include babysitting, lawn mowing, house painting, designing
and marketing T-shirts, caring for pets while people are on vacation, car
detailing, etc.
Here are some more teen job search tips that will help you find a job - fast!
Online
Job Searching
Start your online job search
by visiting the sites that focus on teen job opportunities.
Searching Snagajob.com,
for example,
by type of position and location will generate a list of openings. There's
also a list of national employers that hire part-time workers. Check the part-time
job sites as well. That way, you will review a broad spectrum of potential
opportunities
and you'll be able to decide what sounds most interesting to you.
Employers in fields
like retail and hospitality
often are very
interested in hiring teens and are willing to provide training. Search by the category of employment
you're interested in. This will generate some more leads.These types of employers often don't
advertise, so check with the stores or restaurants in your town to see if they
have openings.
Don't forget to check the local jobs
sites for your city or state, as well as the Employment Services job listings and
the Help Wanted ads in your newspaper. Small local papers like
The Pennysaver usually have listings too.
Teen Job Interviews
Next, make sure you dress appropriately, are ready to complete an application, and are prepared for an on-the-spot interview.
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