Ah, your first job. With it comes some responsibility, sure, but that paycheck gives you money to buy things you want or go out with your friends. If you're ready to join the workforce, we've gathered some tips on how to look for and land the job you want—no experience required. Not ready to work for someone else? You can also start your own business and make money doing something that you love.
Steps
Help with Interviews, Resumes, and Letters of Recommendation
Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat is a cover letter for?Amber Rosenberg is a Professional Life Coach, Career Coach, and Executive Coach based in the San Francisco Bay Area. As the owner of Pacific Life Coach, she has 20+ years of coaching experience and a background in corporations, tech companies, and nonprofits. Amber trained with the Coaches Training Institute and is a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF).The cover letter should be addressed to the hiring manager or owner. It's where you make your case for why you would be a good fit for the company. The goal is to help you land an interview, and you should use the cover letter to explain anything that may not be obvious just from looking at your resume. For example, as a teenager your resume may be kind of short. You could use the cover letter to explain that you don't have a lot of work experience because you're young.
Tips
- Many areas have restrictions on the number of hours minors can work per week and per day and require periodic breaks. Check these laws before you start working so that you know them—you can't always count on your employer to know and follow them. [10] X Trustworthy Source US Department of Labor Federal department responsible for promoting the wellbeing of workers Go to sourceThanks
Tips from our Readers
- If you can play an instrument you could charge for lessons. But make sure you can actually play the instrument and know the notes. You can give your student(s) your beginner music materials to learn off of.
- Consider making your own products like keychains or artwork to sell locally or online. Custom, handmade items can go for decent prices.
References
- ↑ https://www.careeronestop.org/GetMyFuture/Employment/find-job-openings.aspx
- ↑ https://www.careeronestop.org/GetMyFuture/employment/ideas-for-first-jobs.aspx
- ↑ https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/whd/youthrules/YouthEmploymentGuide.pdf
- ↑ https://blog.careeronestop.org/5-tips-teens-looking-summer-job/
- ↑ https://www.reynolds.k12.or.us/rhs/job-search-tips-teens
- ↑ https://www.cityofboston.gov/images_documents/Teen_Resume_Guide_tcm3-31427.pdf
- ↑ https://www.careeronestop.org/GetMyFuture/employment/job-applications.aspx
- ↑ https://talent.works/2019/02/15/dear-addie-should-i-follow-up-after-submitting-an-application/
- ↑ https://money.usnews.com/careers/applying-for-a-job/articles/what-teens-must-know-before-starting-a-first-job
About This Article
If you’re a teen looking for your first job, it can be hard to know where to start. However, with a resume and some strong references, you’ll soon be on the right track to finding work! If you’re under 18, start by contacting your local labor department to get any permits you need. To impress potential employers, you’ll also need to put together a resume listing any relevant experience. Don’t worry if you’ve never had a job before. You can list things like any education you’ve had and experience you might have gained doing volunteer work or participating in extracurricular activities. Ask a few trusted adults you’ve worked with, such as teachers, coaches, or mentors, if they can be personal or professional references for you. When you’re ready to start your job hunt, check online job listings or ask around among family and friends to find out about openings. Make sure to follow any job application instructions carefully! Keep reading for tips on how to ace your first interview.
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