In-demand Jobs for Teens
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Top Jobs for Teens
1. Administrative intern
Internships may not pay you a salary now, but it will pay off later when you have an edge over your peers for a real job! That’s why you should convince employers that you’re responsible, eager to learn and follow instructions well to get hired for this role. It also helps to mention if you have good computer skills.
2. Animal shelter volunteer
If you love animals and don’t have any previous work experience, volunteering at an animal shelter is the perfect way to get something solid to put on your resume. Keep in mind, the job will require compassion, patience, strict adherence to directions and some dirty work.
3. Babysitter
Babysitting is a classic job for teens because you often get unpaid experience looking after younger siblings or family members. People want responsible teens for this role because you’re being entrusted with the safety of their children and homes. If you have first-aid training, it is definitely an asset for this job!
4. Camp counselor
Camp counselors are responsible for the education, safety and activities of summer or day campgoers. That requires that you are organized, engaging and motivated to bring the fun every day. Having first-aid training may be required in some camps.
5. Fast-food worker
Fast-food jobs are some of the most common entry-level jobs for teens. Not only will you be responsible for serving customers but you may also be preparing food, which means that you’ll need both hospitality and food safety skills. Reliability is also a big plus that you’ll want to mention to a hiring manager.
6. Food runner
Food runners work in restaurants as support staff to servers and bartenders to ensure food gets to guests with speed and efficiency so that it’s still hot. The job requires good communication, planning and manual dexterity skills since you may be holding multiple plates at once. It’s a great position to move up in a restaurant’s ranks.
7. Golf caddie
Caddying can be a lucrative summer gig for students since golf is an expensive sport, and that’s when demand is the highest. A good caddie needs physical stamina since the job is done outside in the hot sun, and it’s essential to follow the demands of the patrons to ensure their happiness. If you have knowledge of the sport and are good at following orders, bring it up.
8. Grocery clerk
A grocery clerk is the general catchall term for someone who works in a grocery store, whether they be a cashier or stocker. The main requirement for the job is a customer-first attitude and the willingness to go above and beyond to deliver outstanding service.
9. Host/hostess
Restaurants rely on hosts and hostesses to greet their guests, seat them and control the flow of the dining experience. This job requires an upbeat attitude, good communication, customer service and organizational skills. It helps to mention if you’re good with computers or phones as most roles require making, updating or canceling reservations.
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10. House painter
House painting can be a high-paying summer job, but that’s because it’s a physically demanding job that requires a fair amount of risk. Strong candidates should have good physical stamina, follow directions well and be serious about safety protocols since the job involves a lot of work on ladders and heights.
11. Ice cream scooper
Working in an ice cream parlor sounds like a dream come true. To get that job, though, you’re going to need to demonstrate that you have good customer service, communication and teamwork skills. After all, you want to add to the delight of the experience and keep customers coming back.
12. Landscape worker
If your parents had you do yardwork chores growing up, chances are that you’re familiar with the basics of landscape work like cutting grass and raking leaves. Keep in mind, this is pretty demanding physical labor that is often done in the height of summer heat, so it requires good stamina. Not to mention, you’ll also need solid skills in communication and teamwork.
13. Lifeguard
Being a lifeguard is not just a day at the beach; you’re responsible for the lives and safety of everyone enjoying the water! Physical fitness, focus and safety training are necessary to be considered for this job. Some facilities may offer first-aid training to their new lifeguards, but it may give you an edge if you already have done it.
14. Nursing home volunteer
There’s never a shortage of help needed for this role. Teenagers can brighten the day of nursing home residents just by being present to talk, assist with activities and other vital functions. While this might not be a paid role, it’s an excellent opportunity to get something on your resume and, more importantly, make a difference in someone’s life.
15. Pizza delivery driver
There’s never a shortage in demand for pizza, so delivery drivers are always needed. The job requires a valid driver’s license, responsibility, promptness and knowing your way around. So, it’s good to point out to a hiring manager if you’ve lived in the area a long time and know the roads. Keep in mind, having a car is often necessary too.
16. Retail cashier
Cashiers are the prompt associates who make checking out of a store a fast and friendly experience. To be good at the job requires excellent customer service skills as well as problem-solving and cash handling. It might help get you noticed if you are particularly good at making small talk since most of these exchanges are short.
17. Real estate intern
If you’re a self-motivated person interested in the growth and opportunities that the world of real estate offers, this is an excellent role. While it requires that you’re charismatic, personable and persuasive, it does not require a college degree, making it a great steppingstone straight out of high school!
18. Server
Restaurants rely on servers as the main income generators for business. You must be prompt, organized and have a warm, welcoming demeanor since that’s the nature of hospitality. Attention to detail is also crucial for getting orders correct and ensuring that guests with food allergies are safe.
19. Store Clerk
A store clerk may be expected to do a little bit of everything in a store or boutique: stock, clean, make sales and assist customers. So, it’s essential that you’re good at following instructions, customer service and are eager to learn. If you’ve got experience making sales or handling cash, definitely let it be known!
20. Tech support
As a modern teenager, you likely grew up with computers and high-tech devices you can operate like it’s second nature. That’s why so many companies look for teens to help with tech support: their knowledge, ability to explain and walk people through issues they have with devices. Of course, since you’re helping a business’ clients directly, customer service skills are also a must.
Rights, rules and benefits
According to theU.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division and the Child Labor Provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for Nonagricultural Occupations, workers under 18 years of age can only have jobs that don’t jeopardize a teen’s well-being or education.
For teens under 16 years of age, there are certain restrictions on what work you can do and for how many hours each week. The main purpose is to prevent safety hazards or the exploitation of child labor.
These are the most important facts to know:
Legally, minors cannot perform hazardous jobs.
There are no restrictions on the number of hours per day or days per week for teenagers ages 16 and 17. However, in some states, minors still in school between the ages of 16 and 17 may not work before 6:30 a.m. or after 11 p.m.
Some states require teens to get a work permit to show that they are eligible to work and meet the minimum age requirements.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour as of 2017, although some state minimum wages are higher. Furthermore, with the worker shortages due to the Great Resignation which boomed in 2021, some companies like fast-food restaurants are offering higher salaries. Teens are entitled to this wage.s
Best Job Search Sites
For entry-level jobs, one of the internet’s greatest resources tends to be Craigslist. As an online version of classified ads, it’s been a staple of the internet for years.
It’s location-specific and free for employers to post, so there are usually lots of local listings. Unlike some sites, applying to jobs doesn’t require you to sign up for anything. In most cases, you only have to respond to an email address.
JobHero be safe, because Craiglist is free for posting job ads, and users don’t have to sign up; the unfortunate fact is that sometimes you deal with spam or scams. If anything seems too good to be true, it probably is.
We also have a helpful page that lists the best job search sites you’ll find on the internet! Just keep in mind, some of these sites tend to be for older professionals and may not contain a ton of entry-level work.
