| Working Papers |
| Students between the ages of 14 and 17 interested in obtaining working papers contact: Department of Education's Working Papers Office at (718) 222-6220. |
Are you a teen looking for a job? Here are some tips to help you get going on your search.
Labor Laws
It's not always as easy as it would seem for a teenager to get a job. There are laws restricting when you can work and what you can do. Teens hired for nonagricultural employment (which is just about everything other than farm work) must be at least fourteen. Other restrictions also apply:
Working Papers (Employment/Age Certificates)
In some states, if you're under eighteen, you may need to obtain working papers (officially called Employment/Age Certificates) in order to legally be able to work. You may be able to get the form at school. Otherwise, you can get one at your state Department of Labor. Check the Employment/Age Certification list to see which guidelines apply to you. If it's school, check with your Guidance Office. If it's the Department of Labor, check with your state office. Some states, like New York, for example, have special sections of their web sites on Youth Jobs, which will give you the information and forms you need.
Dream Jobs - or Not!
Once you've got the paperwork in order, consider what you would like to do. Are
you interested in working with little kids? Take a look at after-school
programs, child care centers, or summer camp jobs. How about working on the
beach or the ski slopes, at a park, in the mountains, or at another outdoor
job? Consider a job at a museum, a hospital, at a zoo, or at some other
organization related to your career aspirations. Here is a
list of teen job options. The jobs you have during high school will give you
some idea of what you might want to do later on. They also might give you an
idea about some jobs you absolutely don't want to do!
Finding a Job
Check with your high school Guidance Office and ask how they can assist with
your job search. They may have postings for local businesses, for babysitting
or for other part-time positions.
Next, tell everyone you know that you're looking for work. Speak with teachers, family, coaches, friends, parents of friends - anyone and everyone you can think of - and ask for help. Most jobs are found through referrals and people you know are often happy to assist.
How about starting your own business? Consider your own skills and interests as well as the needs of the local economy where you will be spending your summer. Possible ventures include babysitting, lawn mowing, house painting, designing and marketing T-shirts, caring for pets while people are on vacation, car detailing, etc.
Here are some more teen job search tips that will help you find a job - fast!
Online Job Searching
Start your online job search by visiting the sites that focus on teen job opportunities. Searching Snagajob.com, for example, by type of position and location will generate a list of openings. There's also a list of national employers that hire part-time workers. Enter your zip code and how many miles you're willing to travel into Unicru's search engine and it will give you a list of jobs that meet your requirements. Check the part-time job sites as well. That way, you will review a broad spectrum of potential opportunities and you'll be able to decide what sounds most interesting to you.
Employers in fields like retail and hospitality often are very interested in hiring teens and are willing to provide training. Search by the category of employment you're interested in. This will generate some more leads.These types of employers often don't advertise, so check with the stores or restaurants in your town to see if they have openings.
Don't forget to check the local jobs sites for your city or state, as well as the Employment Services job listings and the Help Wanted ads in your newspaper. Small local papers like The Pennysaver usually have listings too.
Next, make sure you dress appropriately, are ready to complete an application, and are prepared for an on-the-spot interview.
More Resources
