How to Get a Job As a Kid

Last Updated: May 5, 2021 References

Let's face it-- finding a job as a kid can be really tough these days. With a lot of competition out there even for jobs at the shopping mall, it's okay to feel uncertain when you're taking your first steps towards finding a job. While it might sound hopeless at first, there are actually tons of ways you can get a job and make money as a kid! Getting the people in your life to help you, or even working for yourself are just two of the ways you can go about raking in some money. With the right attitude and some maturity, you'll be well on your way towards getting a good job.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Finding Employment

1
Figure out what kind of work interests you. ^{[1]
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Research source} While you can't be too choosy when you're looking for a first job, you should take some time to decide what kind of work environments best suit your life. Do you like watching movies? If you do, you want to work at a local theatre. Or maybe you're a more quiet reading type; if so, you might aim for working at a bookstore or library. Do you spend a lot of time with friends at a certain burger joint? You could be working somewhere you already hang around for free! If you already have an interest in the job before applying, chances are your interviewer will be able to pick up on that enthusiasm.
- On the other hand, it's important to simultaneously keep an open mind while searching for work. Any job, no matter how boring it looks at first, offers its own set of unique experiences you'll carry with you for the rest of your life. Have an open mind, and give a chance to anything that comes your way; you might end up finding an interest you never thought you'd have!
2
Consider what kind of work people your age usually get. Because people your age don't have much (if any) experience, there aren't usually a lot of options. In the vast majority of cases, if you can't find work through family connections, fast food restaurants are the most likely place to gain experience. In a lot of cases, young teenagers will work at fast food places for a few months before handing out more resumes. While it doesn't sound like the most enjoyable way to spend your after-school hours, you'll get a lot of experience fast this way, and many people who work at these places get some enjoyment from how fast-paced the environment usually is.
- Keep in mind that you won't be able to work at an official job if you're not old enough. The minimum working age will depend on where you're living. In Canada and the US, the minimum age is 14. ^{[2]
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  www.dol.gov/dol/topic/youthlabor/agerequirements.html} If you're not that old yet, you'll have to put finding a real job on hold.
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3
Ask around for help. ^{[3]
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Research source} While sending out resumes is the normal way to find work, you probably already have a wide range of people in your life who can help you! Talk to your parents about your intention to find employment; in most cases, they should be more than happy to help you get on your own two feet. An older brother or sister can be a helpful guide as well. Next up, ask your friends with jobs if their workplaces are hiring new staff. Whether you want to find a place to apply to, or even get some general feedback on what you should do to find work, getting the word out that you're on the job hunt is the very best thing you can do at an early stage.
4
Volunteer! While volunteering your time free of charge may not sound like a step in the right direction if you're looking for pay, volunteering is an easy way to make your resume look great. Even volunteering a few hours a week at a local charity or pet shelter adds up fast, and having these workplace references at hand will give you a great head start when employers are deciding whether you're right for them.
- It's also common that certain locations will hire volunteers as paid part or full-time employees. While the chance of actually being hired by a place you're volunteering at ultimately depends on the type of business, it's something to keep in mind if you're considering volunteer work as an option.
5
Ask your school for help. Most middle and high schools will have some sort of career centre for students to go if they're needing some kind of help. Schedule an appointment with a counsellor and see if they can point you towards any good opportunities.
- The school library usually hires students. Even if it's only volunteer work, it will still look great on a resume.
6
Write up a strong resume. ^{[4]
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Research source} Although everyone has their own way of looking at a resume, you should see a resume for what it is: a brief summary of who you are, and what you've accomplished so far in life. You're not expected to have a lot of concrete experience as a kid, but there are plenty of things that still might make you stand out on paper. Are you in any clubs or extra-curricular programs at school? What are your grades like? If you're more of a stay-in type, what sort of things are you passionate about? Just about anything can be worded in such a way that it'll sound good on a basic resume. Because you don't have the experience, they'll be looking for attitude, work ethic and passion. Your resume doesn't need to be astonishing, but you should take the time to proofread it and make sure there aren't any problems with it before you start sending it out.
- People of all ages can have some trouble writing up resumes. If you find yourself struggling with it, don't be afraid to ask someone older for help. Chances are they'll be able to help you highlight your best traits and skills. Getting some outside perspective is especially helpful if you're having a hard time writing it.
- Writing a cover letter helps too, especially if you don't have any experience yet. In a couple of paragraphs, write a letter to the manager you're applying to, letting them know all about your best qualities and why you want to work with them so badly. Again, if you're having any trouble writing something, ask someone to help you.
7
Get your name and resume out there. Print off thirty resumes to start, and make a goal to get at least five out a day until you start getting calls back. Send resumes to everywhere you can think of. Walk down streets you could get to and from easily enough, and proudly deliver a resume to each location you think would have entry-level positions. Make sure to introduce yourself to the manager, as they'll be the ones who want to make a good impression on. Even if you doubt they'll call you back, give a business your resume. Each one you send out is a new possibility of a new set of great experiences.
- Checking out job postings online is a must! Not only does it save you the legwork of going from place to place, but you'll get a much better idea which places are openly looking for new people.
- No matter how good your resume is, don't expect easy success. Places (like fast food places) that have a high employee turnover rate stand a much higher chance of calling you back soon, but more desirable jobs are a lot harder to come by. Depending on the availability and type of work you're looking for, don't be surprised if you only get one or two calls back for an interview for every thirty resumes you send out.
8
Find a youth employment service. If you're not having luck with resumes or through your existing contacts, you may choose to throw your lot in with an employment agency. These government-sponsored organizations are there because they understand how difficult it can be to get a start in the working world. Look up what services are in your local area, and schedule an appointment. A consultant will lead you through what you're looking for, and what you might have to offer to an employer. From there, you'll hopefully be referred to a workplace. Because employment agencies are specifically there to pair workers with work, they tend to be a more reliable bet than merely handing out resumes.
9
Check out a job fair. Job fairs are often youth-centered events for businesses to recruit newcomers to their company. A job fair is very helpful because most of the businesses will be looking for workers of similar inexperience. Not only do you know that each company present is looking for fresh hires; it also takes a lot of the hunting off on your end. Sending out resumes on your own might raise the chances of working closer to home, but a job fair is a fast way to make a lot of progress on the job hunt.
10
Schedule and attend an interview. If you're keeping an open mind and making sure to get your name out there, it's inevitable that businesses will start calling you back before too long. For some, an interview might sound like a nerve-wracking experience; indeed, the impression you make at that interview will have a large say in whether you get the job or not. However, it's important to keep in mind that they called you back because they saw something worthwhile on your resume. Dress and present yourself in a mature, reasonably professional manner. Most importantly, relax! Remember that they're looking for a great attitude above all else, and that you have something worthwhile to offer them as a hard worker.
- As always, don't feel bad if an interview falls through. Each interview will see you becoming more confident and comfortable with the situation. If you go into the interview thinking it's going to succeed, chances are it will!

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Becoming Self-Employed

1
Assess your skills and interests. There are many reasons why you might want to strike out on your own and earn money outside of traditional employment. Suffice to say, there are plenty of ways to make money on your own as a kid. First off, take a look at yourself. What kind of skills do you already have that people might pay money for? What are you interested in doing? Do you enjoy interacting with people, or are you looking for solitary work? Figuring out what you already bring to the table and how you might make money from those skills is the first step in working for yourself. This can be a very tricky thing to figure out; confidence, self-motivation, and creativity are all required to make self-employment work.
- As a youth, the best thing you may have to offer over older people is your level of energy. This gives you an advantage in easily-learned, but time-consuming tasks like dishwashing and lawn mowing.
2
Check your environment for work opportunities. After taking some time to analyze what you might have to offer, try looking around to see how you might put your unique skills and energy to good use. Take a walk around your neighbourhood; are there plenty of grass in need of mowing? In your own home, are there any additional chores your family might be convinced into paying you for handling them? No matter the situation or surroundings, there are always solid moneymaking opportunities laying around for those with the insight and patience to see them.
- Contrarily, you might simply ask someone if they need any work done for them. Many parents may be willing to pay for certain tasks to be completed for them.
3
Let people know you're offering a service. ^{[5]
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Research source} No business can work properly without customers! Although it might seem obvious to you, you might be surprised how many people forget to pay attention to this crucial step in starting their business. Let as many people know as possible, and make sure you get the word out to your target market. Are you planning on mowing lawns or shovelling snow from driveways? Going door-to-door and letting homeowners know about your offer will get the ball rolling.
- If your job idea applies to more than just the surrounding neighbourhood, you should make sure to make an online posting about it via a public board like Craigslist.
- Once you have developed a good reputation for your hard work, other people might do your advertising for you via word-of-mouth. Keep that at the back of your mind while you're working; hard work goes a long way, and your customers will be quick to spot a go-getter!
4
Learn a specific skill and use it! As a kid, it's understandable you may not have the know-how in certain subjects you'll enjoy as an adult. However, learning one specific skill and figuring out how to make money from it is a good way to start a business without becoming trapped in odd jobs.^{[6]
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Research source} For example, you can make an explicit effort to learn the best, most efficient ways to wash cars. On the other hand, you could become an expert at a specific topic, like setting up cellular phones, and help out the elderly with it. While there is potentially greater satisfaction to be had in self-employment, you have to carry realistic, but creative expectations regarding yourself and what you might be able to offer other people.
5
Start a bottle drive. If odd jobs aren't your thing and you can't think of any marketable skills you have yet, with a little motivation and perseverance you can rack up some good money with a bottle drive. Many homes will collect bottles, and adults might not find it worthwhile to bring five dollars' worth of bottles and cans to the depot. While you should be prepared to meet a lot of rejections, getting the bottles from a few houses and taking them to a recycling depot can add up to quite a bit of money.^{[7]
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- If you want to earn money on a more permanent basis, try setting up a monthly arrangement with these houses, agreeing to come around to collect their bottles on the first of every month. This will ensure you a relatively steady source of income.
6
Start a regular cleaning service. Some adults make a good living purely by cleaning the properties of others. Whether it's family or neighbours, offering to clean someone's yard, car or windows can result in a pretty busy schedule if you work hard and consistently. Starting a regular maid or handyman service is an option available to a hard-working youth, and with the right kind of determination, you may find yourself making more working around the block than you would at a more structured job.
7
Try out babysitting.^{[8]
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Research source} Babysitting involves taking care of someone else's child while they are out for a day or night. Your duties will center around caring for a young child's needs while the parents are away, and making sure nothing bad happens while they're out. While this is a fairly common way for older kids and teens to make money, it's a major responsibility. Going around the neighbourhood to let people know might work depending on where you live, but it's a good bet to make an online advertisement listing the times you're free in a week. Due to the fact that babysitting requires a lot of trust between the employee and parents, you may be best off starting with babysitting the child of a well-known family friend. From there, you can start building references, and prove to people that you deserve their trust. Although it sounds like a lot to take in, babysitting is usually a fairly easygoing experience, and you might even have fun taking care of a tot!
- Don't bother with babysitting if you're not sure you can handle the responsibility. Unlike most other services you might offer, babysitting means a baby's life is in your hands, so it's best to hold off on it if there's any doubt.

Warnings

Depending on what country you live in, there is usually a minimum age requirement you must have before you can legally get employment. In the United States, you must be at least 14 to have a job, and even then, the amount of hours you can work is usually limited until you're 16. ^{[12]
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www.dol.gov/dol/topic/youthlabor/agerequirements.html} Look up the age requirement online, and don't worry if you're not old enough yet; there are still plenty of money-making opportunities available to you around the neighbourhood.

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Don't let a job or moneymaking venture get in the way of your academics if you're in school. Although it might seem more fun and useful to be making money, staying in school will multiply your earning potential in the long run.^{[13]
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