If you are a teenager looking for work, you’ve probably discovered how hard it is to find a job. Part of the problem is the condition of the economy. High unemployment means that adults and retirees are stepping into jobs that teens used to hold. The other problem is age. Child labor laws are very restrictive with not a whole lot of jobs available for young teenagers in the first place.
This article is not a listing of jobs for teens. Instead, it’s a job resource guide for teenagers. In this article you’ll find information from the US Department of Labor about the type of jobs you can hold depending on your age, where to search for jobs in your state, and other information to know when applying for a job.
Youth Rules from the US Department of Labor. This site is all about Federal Labor Laws and how they apply to you. The Youth Rules site (found at youthrules.dol/gov) explains the hours you can work and where you can work depending on your age. What makes this site so helpful is that it can identify all the kind of jobs you are eligible for which can save you time. Be sure to hit the “additional resources” link for more helpful information.
State Labor Offices. State labor offices are another terrific resource for teenaged job hunters. Your state Department of Labor posts job listings throughout the state and also offers a wide range of training programs. The gateway to the State Labor Offices is located through the US Department of Labor (link here) or can be found through a generic search for your state and the phrase “Department of Labor.” To find the job postings, scroll through the directory until you find the job search tab.
Job Corps is another fantastic resource for teen dropouts 16 and up who need help developing a career and finding a job. Job Corps provides free career and technical training with a guaranteed job at graduation. Check out jobcorps.gov for more information and to order a free information packet.
Other recommended reading.
Here are four informative articles that can also prepare you for job hunting.
1. Teens and Work Permits; 42 states require teens 14 and over to obtain work permits, is your state one of them?
2. Teenagers and First Jobs will help you determine what to list for work experience for a first job.
3. How to help your teenager fill out a job application details what information to pull together before applying for any job.
4. Finally, How not to get fired will help you keep a job.
