How to Get a Job as a Teen With No Experience

Trying to get a job as a teenager can feel impossible: every posting seems to want “experience,” but how are you supposed to get experience if no one will hire you?

Here’s the truth:
Tons of employers are used to hiring teens with no experience. They just need to see that you’re responsible, willing to learn, and able to show up on time.

This guide walks you through:

What jobs are realistic for teens
How to build a resume even if you’ve “never worked”
How to actually find places that will hire you
What to say when you ask for a job
How to do well in interviews and trial shifts

1. Know What Jobs Are Realistic for Teens

Some jobs are almost designed for teenagers or first-time workers. Common options:

Fast food and quick-service restaurants
Grocery stores (cashier, cart attendant, stock)
Retail shops (clothing, dollar stores, game shops, etc.)
Cafés and ice cream shops
Movie theaters
Bowling alleys, mini-golf, amusement parks
Local seasonal jobs (farms, festivals, holiday shops)

There are also simple “self-made” jobs:

Babysitting
Dog walking or pet sitting
Lawn mowing, shoveling snow, yard work
Helping neighbors with tech (setting up phones, computers, etc.)

Your first job doesn’t have to be your dream job. It just needs to be a foot in the door so you can build experience.

2. Check the Rules: Age and Work Limits

Before you start applying, you should know:

The minimum age to work in your area
Whether you need a work permit or parental permission
How many hours you’re allowed to work during school weeks

You can usually find this info by searching for work rules in your region or asking a teacher, guidance counselor, or parent.

If you’re too young for “official” jobs, focus on:

Babysitting
Yard work
Pet care
Helping family friends or neighbors with odd jobs

These still count as experience and can go on a resume.

3. How to Get Experience When You Have None

You probably have more “experience” than you think—you just haven’t called it a job.

Things that count:

Babysitting younger siblings or cousins
Helping at a family business (even if it wasn’t “official”)
Volunteering at school events, church, or community centers
School clubs or sports teams (teamwork, showing up, following directions)
Projects you’ve done on your own (tutoring someone, fixing computers, making posters, running a small online shop with a parent’s help)

If someone trusted you with responsibility—even if they paid you in pizza instead of money—that’s experience.

4. Build a Teen-Friendly Resume

Yes, you should still have a resume—even if it’s only one page and mostly school stuff. It shows you’re serious.

What to Put On It

Contact info
- Name, phone, email
- Make sure your email sounds normal (no weird usernames)
Goal or summary (2–3 lines)
Example:
Responsible high school student looking for a part-time job. Strong work ethic, quick learner, and available evenings and weekends.
Education
- Your school name and grade
- Any good grades, awards, or relevant classes (like business, computers, or cooking)
Experience
Even if it’s not a “real job,” list things like:
- Babysitting:
  “Babysat two children (ages 4 and 7) on weekends. Prepared meals, played games, and kept them safe for 4–5 hours at a time.”
- Volunteering:
  “Helped set up and clean up school events. Assisted teachers with organizing tables and welcoming guests.”
- Yard work:
  “Mowed lawns and shoveled snow for neighbors on my street. Managed multiple houses during busy times.”
Skills
Examples:
- Responsible and on time
- Good with people and kids
- Willing to learn
- Basic computer skills
- Comfortable handling money (if you’ve done school fundraisers)

Keep it simple, neat, and easy to read.

5. Where to Actually Look for Jobs

Don’t just wait for online postings. As a teen, showing up in person is powerful.

Good Places to Try

Fast food chains and casual restaurants
Grocery stores
Retail stores in malls or plazas
Local gyms or recreation centers
Ice cream shops, cafés, bakeries

How to Ask if They’re Hiring

Go in during a quiet time (not during the lunch or dinner rush), and say something like:

“Hi, my name is [Name]. I live nearby and I’m looking for a part-time job. Are you currently hiring, or could I leave a resume in case something opens up?”

Sometimes they’ll say:

“Apply online first.”
“We’re not hiring right now, but you can leave your resume.”

Either way, you’ve made a good impression.

6. Make It Easy for Them to Say Yes

Managers worry about teenage workers being:

Late
Unreliable
On their phone all the time

So your job is to show the opposite.

Show You’re Reliable

Mention your availability clearly:
“I’m available weekdays after 4pm and weekends all day.”
Mention your transportation:
“I can walk/bike/bus here in under 10 minutes.”
Mention your grades or responsibilities:
“I balance school and activities well and haven’t had issues with attendance.”

Managers want to know you won’t vanish during exam week or call in “sick” every weekend.

7. Use People You Know (In a Good Way)

This isn’t “cheating”—it’s how a lot of people get first jobs.

Ask your parents, relatives, or neighbors:
“Do you know anyone who might be hiring a responsible teen part-time?”
Ask teachers or coaches if they know about:
- Local businesses that hire students
- Volunteer spots that could lead to jobs

If someone can say, “I know this kid, they’re responsible,” that helps a lot.

8. How to Handle “No Experience” in an Interview

If you’re called in for an interview, that’s already a good sign.

Common questions:

“Have you had a job before?”
“Tell me about yourself.”
“Why do you want to work here?”
“What would you do if a customer was rude?”
“Can you work evenings and weekends?”

How to Answer When You Have No Job History

Be honest, but spin it positively:

“I haven’t had a formal job yet, but I’ve babysat for my neighbors and helped with school events. I’m responsible, I show up on time, and I really want to learn how to do this job well.”

When they ask about difficult situations, use examples from:

School projects
Sports teams
Babysitting or volunteering

Example:

“In a group project, one person wasn’t doing their part. I stayed calm, talked to them, and we divided the work differently so everyone could do their part. We finished on time and got a good grade.”

That shows problem-solving and maturity.

9. How to Act in the Interview

Your goal is to look like someone customers will like and coworkers can depend on.

Tips:

Dress neat and clean (no need for a suit, just tidy clothes and clean shoes).
Make eye contact and smile.
Put your phone away completely.
Speak clearly and politely.
Bring a printed resume (even if you already applied online).

If they ask, “Do you have any questions?” you can say:

“What does a typical shift look like for someone my age?”
“What kind of training do new employees get?”
“What qualities do your best workers have?”

This makes you look interested and serious.

10. Start Small and Build Your Reputation

Once you get a job, how you act in your first job affects your next one.

Do:

Show up on time (or a few minutes early)
Say yes to extra shifts when you can
Ask questions when you’re not sure
Be polite to everyone—customers, coworkers, managers
Do the “boring” tasks well (cleaning, stocking, taking out garbage)

Don’t:

Play on your phone during work
Complain constantly
Disappear without telling anyone
Argue with customers

If you get a reputation as a hard worker who doesn’t cause drama, future managers will love hiring you.

11. If You’re Not Getting Hired Yet

If it’s taking longer than you hoped, don’t panic. Use the time to build your “experience” right now.

You can:

Offer to babysit, dog walk, mow lawns, or shovel driveways
Volunteer at a community center, charity, school, or library
Help with family business tasks (cleaning, organizing, basic office tasks)

Then:

Add these to your resume
Ask the adults you worked with if they’d be willing to be a reference

Every little bit of responsibility you take on now makes you more hireable later.

12. Simple Step-by-Step Plan

If you want a job as a teen with no experience, here’s a quick roadmap:

Check your local rules about age and work permits.
List your experience, even informal (babysitting, yard work, volunteering, school activities).
Make a one-page resume that highlights responsibility and availability.
Ask family, neighbors, and teachers if they know any place hiring teens.
Pick 10–15 places near you (fast food, grocery, retail, cafés) and apply.
Visit in person during quiet times, with your resume, and ask if they’re hiring.
Prepare basic interview answers about yourself, your strengths, and dealing with people.
Keep building experience with odd jobs and volunteering while you wait.
Don’t give up after a few “no’s.” Many people hear a lot of “no” before their first “yes.”

Final Thoughts

Getting a job as a teen with no experience isn’t about being perfect—it’s about showing that you’re:

Responsible
Willing to learn
Able to show up and do what you say you’ll do

If you make a simple resume, apply in person, use your network, and keep trying even after a few rejections, you’ll almost certainly land that first job—and once you do, every future job becomes easier to get.

Featured