How to Land Your First Job (Even as a Teen) 💼

I remember creating my first resume at 16. It was two or three pages long, packed with every club, sport, and volunteer activity I'd ever touched.

Big mistake.

Your resume isn’t a biography; it’s your sales pitch—a concise one-pager that convinces employers you're right for the job.

Here's exactly how to craft one (the right way):

The Resume Formula

Employers know you're young. They're not expecting tons of work experience. Instead, highlight extracurricular activities that show you're responsible, organized, and work well in teams.

A clean resume typically has four sections:

• Education: List your school, GPA, and standardized test scores if they help.

• Experience & Activities: Include clubs, sports, community service, or any relevant roles. Briefly explain your role using bullet points that start with action verbs.

• Skills: Include languages, software, or soft skills like leadership.

Don't go overboard—one page is enough. And skip the fancy fonts, colors, or headshots; they'll confuse automated systems employers use.

Outsmarting Applicant Tracking Systems

Here's the truth: most resumes first go through something called an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), which is software that scans resumes and rejects most before they reach a human.

To beat the ATS, copy and paste the job description into a word cloud generator or LLM, see what keywords stand out, and use them in your activity descriptions. Keep your descriptions short and clear: crisp bullet points and numbers whenever possible.

Where (and How) to Search for Jobs

With your resume set, hop onto sites like LinkedIn or Indeed. For most teens, first jobs are typically in retail or food service—places like Target, Walmart, McDonald’s, or Chipotle.

Here’s my quick advice for job hunting:

• Distance Matters: You don’t wanna be commuting more than 15-30 minutes, especially while in school.

• Check Responsibilities: Don't choose a job solely based on pay. Pick something aligned with your personality and comfort level.

• Hours are Key: Juniors and seniors, watch your workload. Keep academics first, extracurriculars second, and then your job.

If you find something related to your future major—like working in a clinic if you’re interested in medicine—that’s a huge plus. But it's totally fine if your job doesn’t align. Colleges care more about the qualities your job demonstrates, like leadership and teamwork.

Nailing the Interview

Interviews might seem stressful, but relax—they're usually simple conversations, especially for entry-level roles.

Here's a quick interview prep guide:

• Be Early: Arrive 10-15 minutes beforehand.

• Dress Neatly: Polo or button-up shirt, nice jeans or khakis. Business casual is perfect.

• Be Energetic: Maintain good posture, make eye contact, and smile.

• Prepare Answers: Practice common questions like “Tell me about yourself” or “Describe a challenge you've faced.” (Pro tip: use the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result.)

Feel free to do mock interviews with family members until you feel comfortable.

After the Interview: Patience & Persistence

Responses might take a few days or even a week or two. If you don't hear back within two weeks, politely follow up with a quick phone call or email reiterating your interest.

A harsh truth: rejection happens (a lot). Don’t let it shake your confidence. Keep applying, stay persistent, and eventually, you'll land the right role.

Landing your first job can feel daunting, but hopefully these tips help. Beyond the money, you'll also gain invaluable skills, responsibilities, and experiences that'll serve you in college and beyond.

Also, if you want study help, come join my Discord! We have a global community of students helping each other succeed in school. I’d love to see you there.

I’ll see you next week!

Best,
Gohar