Still in school and looking for your first paycheck? Start here.

Tips for applying to jobs as a teen: checking the hiring age, working around school, getting there, what to put on a first resume, the interview and staying safe.

16 or 17? Get ready for your first job. 🐝Learn whether you need a work permit, how to get one, and what to know before your first shift in Texas or California.
Explore the Teen Work Guide

How to apply as a teen

Check the age before you apply

  • Each employer sets its own minimum age, and it can differ from store to store.
  • On our job listings, look for the age tag on each card. "Check with employer" means ask before you spend time on the application.
  • Under 16? Fewer places hire, and the hours you may work are limited. Ask the employer what they allow.

Build your schedule around school

  • Write down the exact hours you are free after class and on weekends, and bring that list to the interview.
  • Tell them about practice, games, band or other commitments up front. Managers plan around what they know.
  • Ask how late closing shifts run on school nights.

Figure out the ride first

  • Pick places near home or school. A short trip matters more than a famous name.
  • If a parent will drive you, check that the shift times work for them too.
  • Have a backup way home for nights when plans change.

No work history? Use what you have

  • School, clubs, sports, volunteering and helping at home all count on a first resume.
  • Ask a teacher, coach or counselor to be a reference.
  • Our resume guide shows how to write it, with a sample.

At the interview

  • Arrive ten minutes early, dressed neatly, with your phone put away.
  • Practice out loud: tell me about yourself, why do you want to work here, what hours can you work.
  • Have one question ready, such as what a normal shift looks like.

Stay safe

  • Tell a parent or guardian where you are applying and interviewing.
  • Never pay to get a job, and never give bank details before you are hired.
  • If something feels wrong, leave and tell an adult you trust.
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