How to Apply for a Teen Job
Getting job experience as a teen will help you build your future resume. Employers like to see that you were able to maintain a steady part-time job while still keeping up your grades in school. If you want to start building your resume or simply are saving up for an expensive purchase and are in need of some extra cash, applying for a job is a practical way to achieve your goals.
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Instructions
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Evaluate your schedule. Will you have time for a job while juggling school, homework, afterschool activities, family time and your social life?
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Assess your skill set. Have you worked at your dad's law firm as a receptionist every summer since you were 12? Did you learn how to properly greet clients, answer phones, make copies, send customer service emails and complete affidavits? Skills such as these are valuable to employers. If you are only 16 years old and already possess such valuable skills, this will put you ahead of your competition when applying for a job.
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Get working papers. Students under the age of 18 are not allowed to work without working papers; it will be illegal for potential employers to consider you application if you haven't filled out working papers. Pick up a working paper application at your school's main office. Ask your parents to make you an appointment at the doctor's office for a regular checkup. A doctor needs to confirm that you are healthy enough to work. After your doctor signs the application, visit your school's main office and hand the paperwork to the secretary. She will give you a small blue or green card (depending on your age). This small card is your certification to work, or your working papers.
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Get an interview outfit. When you are choosing your interview outfit, remember to dress age appropriate. Potential employers don't expect a 15-year-old to show up to an interview wearing an expensive suit. Choose an outfit that is neutral in color, isn't revealing and makes you look put together. For girls, a good example of an interview outfit would be khaki Capri-shorts, a white button-down shirt, black flats and a cute black headband. For guys, a good example of an interview outfit would be khaki slacks, a blue/white pinstripe button-down shirt and black dress shoes.
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Locate job listings. Pick up the most recent Sunday edition of your local newspaper, open up to the classifieds section and scan for jobs that you are interested in. When scanning for potential part-time jobs, keep an eye open for the phrase "No experience necessary." Job listings that don the phrase often don't require a resume.
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Put on your interview outfit and stop by the businesses in which you are interested in obtaining a position. Walk up to the receptionist or manager and tell her that you'd like to apply for the position that was featured in the paper. After she hands you an application, take a seat and fill it out as best you can. Once you've completed the application, hand it back to the receptionist or manager. If the manager has time, you will be given an interview on the spot (that's why you're wearing your interview outfit.) Otherwise, you might get a phone call in the following days or weeks.
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Tips & Warnings
If you're a girl, keep your makeup simple when applying for a job. Employers won't take you seriously if you look like a clown.
Always make sure that your parents are okay with you getting a job.
