To land your first job, apply to entry-level roles that value reliability, build a one-page resume with school, volunteer and activity experience, prepare short stories that show responsibility and practice interviewing. Once hired, show up on time, ask questions, take notes and follow through: reliability is your biggest advantage.
Where to look
- Local businesses: restaurants, grocery stores, retail, movie theaters
- Seasonal work: summer camps, pools, holiday retail, warehouses
- Healthcare support: dietary aides, transport, front desk and CNA programs (age rules vary)
- Your network: family friends, teachers, coaches and neighbors
- Online job boards and company websites
Your first resume
Your resume can be short and still strong. Include:
- Contact information and a professional email address
- Education with relevant classes and any honors
- Experience: babysitting, lawn care, volunteering, clubs, sports and school projects all count
- Skills such as cash handling, customer service, languages or software
- Certifications such as CPR or food handler cards
See our resume guide and resume checklist.
Nail the interview
Managers hiring for first jobs want to know three things: Will you show up? Will you work hard? Will you be pleasant to customers and coworkers? Prepare short examples that answer those questions: a time you balanced school and responsibilities, worked on a team or handled a challenge. Practice with our interview tips.
Know your rights
Federal and state child labor laws limit hours and certain hazardous tasks for workers under 18. You also have the right to a safe workplace and to be paid for all hours worked. Learn more in our workplace safety basics.
Habits that get you noticed
- Arrive a few minutes early, every time.
- Write things down so you don’t ask the same question twice.
- Ask “What else can I help with?” when you finish a task.
- Keep your phone away while working.
- Be friendly to everyone: coworkers become references.
Your first job doesn’t have to match your dream career. The reliability, communication and teamwork you build will transfer anywhere.
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to get a job?
Under federal law, 14 is generally the minimum age for most non-agricultural jobs, with hour limits until 16 and restrictions on hazardous work until 18. State laws may be stricter.
Do I need a resume for my first job?
Not always, but a simple one-page resume makes you look prepared and can set you apart.
Keep reading
How to Get a Job With No Experience
How to get hired with no experience: target entry-level and trainee roles, use transferable skills, earn fast credentials, build experience through volunteering and nail the interview.
How to Write a Resume That Gets Interviews
Step-by-step resume guide: the best format, what to include in each section, how to write results-focused bullet points, beat applicant tracking systems and avoid common mistakes.
Job Interview Tips: How to Prepare and Stand Out
How to prepare for a job interview: researching the employer, answering common questions with the STAR method, questions to ask, what to wear and how to follow up.
Your First 90 Days in a New Job: A Week-by-Week Plan
How to succeed in the first 90 days of a new job: what to focus on in weeks one, four, eight and twelve, how to build relationships and how to get early wins without overstepping.