Finding jobs can be tough for anyone, but teens face a special challenge since they usually don’t have a work history, and most employers prefer to hire people with experience. Looking at listings of jobs for teens can put you on the fast track to employment.
Take a look at several websites focused on a job search for teens.
Where to Look for Teen Job Listings
Not every company is willing to hire teenage workers. So, it’s important to find out which ones will so you don’t waste time applying to companies that don’t. The following job sites for teens can help connect you with potential employers, and they offer decent support services to help you make yourself more marketable.
Within each category, you can sort according to whether you want full-time, part-time, one-time or seasonal employment. You can also search jobs by age or enter the type of job you’re looking for into their onsite search engine.
All the positions listed are dated according to when they were posted. Use the search by state option to zero in on jobs in your area.
YouthForce
YouthForce from Boys and Girls Clubs of King County specializes in connecting low income and minority teens with internships at various companies in the Seattle, Washington area. Their YouthForce program provides mentors and coaching to help teens acquire the education and experience they need to enter the working world.
Internships are offered in a variety of fields according whatever is available at the time. Some of these fields include:
- Accounting – Listings here are best suited to college-age teens majoring in accounting/finance.
- Construction – Positions can include short-term and long-term opportunities.
- Marketing – This could include anything from direct sales positions to writing copy.
- Office – Typical listings include openings for receptionists and file clerks among other positions.
- Retail – Listings typically include sales clerk, stock and cashiering positions.
Since the program targets high school-aged teens, the hours are limited to part-time. Each internship includes a job description, the qualifications needed, the job location and rate of pay. Just follow the link provided to fill out the online application.
Teens 4 Hire
Teens4Hire.org describes itself as the number one site job recruitment site for teenagers aged 14 to 19.
You must register as a member and create your personal profile before you can search the job listings, but membership is free, and you are the only person who can share your profile with a potential employer.
Steps to create your profile include:
- Fill in your name, address, email, best time to contact you and establish your password.
- Fill in your employment history. If you haven’t worked anywhere yet, you can just skip that section.
- Fill in your education information. It’s fairly basic.
- Fill in your interests. This is where you can highlight the kind of job/field in which you’d like to work.
The site organizes their job listings into four divisions, and you can search them by location once you select a category.
Listings are added and removed all the time as positions become available and are filled, so it pays to check back often.
- Health Services – This usually includes listings for jobs in hospitals clinics and private practices.
- Banking – This includes entry positions for Customer Service Representatives
- Law and Security – This can include private as well as public security force positions.
- Skilled Trades – This often includes construction worker positions.
Teens 4 Hire also has a resources section that offers important information about work permits and labor laws that most teens will find useful.
In addition, there are articles on site with helpful tips on topics such as writing a resume, and the qualities most employers look for in a teen job candidates.
Additional Teen Job Sites to Check Out
The following sites don’t offer quite as many support services as those listed above. However, you can still find job openings targeted for teenage workers.
- Snagajob – This site is simple but easy to navigate. The newest job openings are listed in the right-hand column and often include well-known national companies such as Starbucks and Ruby Tuesday.
- Summer Jobs – Register with the site to apply for job openings. You can search by city and state, as well as by the type of job you’re looking for, such as cashier, waiter, baby sitter, etc..
Tips Teenage Job Applications
Pay close attention to how you fill out any job application on these sites because your attention to detail can tell a prospective employer a lot about the kind of employee you’ll be. Here are a few helpful tips.
- Check your spelling and grammar. Employers are looking for workers who are educated and can communicate effectively.
- Follow all the instructions completely. Employers will look at your ability to follow instructions on the application as an indication of how well you’d follow directions if you were hired.
- Make sure you’ve filled in all the required information. This shows attention to detail – something that’s very important in the work force.
- Note any pertinent classes you’ve taken if there’s a field for that. This will help show you’re truly interested in the type of job you’re applying for.
- List extracurricular activities if you can. This can give an employer an idea of whether you’re a team player.
This Is Just the Beginning
A great application is crucial to getting a job interview. Check the sites listed above to see what they currently offer, apply your best efforts to filling out your application, and let your winning personality shine through if you’re lucky enough to get an interview.
The first job you get as a teen may not become your life’s career, but it can be a valuable stepping stone that leads to something better in your future.