How to Get Your First Job as a Teen or Young Adult

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Nobody is born with work experience. Your first job is the one that gives it to you — and there are free public programs, legal protections, and hiring paths built specifically for people starting out. Here is where to look, what paperwork you need, and how to walk into an interview prepared.

Quick answer

To get your first job, start with employers that regularly hire people with no experience — grocery stores, restaurants, retail, warehouses, libraries, parks and recreation departments, and summer youth programs run by your city. Under federal law, 14 is the minimum age for most non-agricultural jobs, and some states also require a work permit issued through your school. Free programs like Job Corps (ages 16–24) and WIOA youth services at American Job Centers provide training, job placement, and support at no cost.

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14+ — Federal minimum age for most non-farm jobs

16–24 — Ages Job Corps serves

$0 — Cost of Job Corps and WIOA youth services

Paid — Apprenticeships pay you while you train

Your first job, step by step

Federal rules set the floor for youth employment, but states add their own age limits, hour limits, and work-permit requirements — and they can be stricter than federal law. Use this guide as a map, then confirm the details for your state before you apply.

Where first jobs actually come from

Focus on employers who hire beginners on purpose: grocery stores, fast food and restaurants, retail, warehouses and distribution centers, movie theaters, car washes, lawn and landscaping crews, and seasonal parks and recreation jobs. Your city or county may run a summer youth employment program with paid placements. Libraries, community centers, and school counselors post openings that never make it to big job boards. Apply in person where it is still normal to do so, and tell every adult you know that you are looking — most first jobs come through someone who already knows you.

Age rules and work permits

Federal child labor law sets 14 as the minimum age for most non-agricultural jobs, limits the hours 14- and 15-year-olds can work during the school year, and bans workers under 18 from jobs the Department of Labor classifies as hazardous — like operating power-driven meat slicers or most driving. The Department of Labor's YouthRules! pages spell this out. Many states also require a work permit or age certificate, usually issued through your school or state labor department, and some state rules are stricter than federal ones. Check both before your first shift.

Paperwork to have ready

Every employer must verify your identity and work authorization on Form I-9, so you need documents before day one. A Social Security number is required for payroll. Common combinations are a state ID or driver's license plus a Social Security card, or a U.S. passport by itself. If you are missing a Social Security card, you can request a replacement through the Social Security Administration. You will also fill out a W-4 for tax withholding and often direct-deposit paperwork. Get a bank account or a low-fee prepaid account set up so your first paycheck does not cost you fees to cash.

Free youth programs: WIOA and Job Corps

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds free youth services through local workforce boards and American Job Centers — paid work experience, tutoring, occupational training, mentoring, and help getting a diploma or equivalency. Job Corps is a separate free federal program for eligible young people ages 16 through 24 that offers career training, education, housing at residential centers, and job placement help. Neither program guarantees a job, but both are designed for people without a work history. Start by contacting your nearest American Job Center or Job Corps admissions counselor.

A resume when you have never been paid

You have more material than you think. School projects, sports, band, clubs, church activities, babysitting, mowing lawns, caring for younger siblings, and volunteer shifts all show reliability, teamwork, and follow-through — the three things entry-level managers actually screen for. Keep it to one page: contact information, a short summary of what you are looking for, education, then sections for experience, volunteer work, and skills. Use specific numbers where you honestly can, like the size of a team or how many hours you volunteered. Our resume-with-no-experience guide walks through the exact format.

Interview basics that carry a first-timer

Hiring managers for entry-level roles are mostly asking themselves three questions: will you show up, will you be pleasant to customers, and can you be trained. Prepare short honest answers for "tell me about yourself," "why do you want to work here," and "tell me about a time you handled something hard." Know your real availability before you walk in, including school and transportation limits. Arrive ten minutes early, put your phone away, look people in the eye, and bring two copies of your resume. Ask one question about training or a typical shift.

Your rights on the job

Young workers have the same core protections as everyone else. You are entitled to at least the applicable minimum wage, to overtime pay in most hourly jobs when you work over 40 hours in a week, and to a workplace free of recognized safety hazards under OSHA. Harassment and discrimination based on race, sex, religion, national origin, disability, or age are illegal, and it is illegal to retaliate against you for reporting them. Nobody can require you to work off the clock or pay for your own required training out of your wages. Keep your own record of hours worked.

Apprenticeships as a real alternative to college

A registered apprenticeship is a paid job with structured on-the-job training and classroom instruction, ending in a nationally recognized credential — no student debt required. Electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, machinists, and increasingly healthcare and IT roles all run apprenticeship programs. Many accept applicants at 18 with a high school diploma or equivalency, and pre-apprenticeship programs exist for people who need to build math or shop skills first. Wages typically step up as you complete training milestones. Search open programs at Apprenticeship.gov and apply to several — competitive trades often have limited seats and set application windows.

Official sources

Program rules come from the agencies that run them. Verify details on these official sites:

Start your first job search with help

Create a free account for AI career guidance built for people with no work history yet, then use our resume guide to turn school, volunteering, and everyday responsibility into a one-page resume employers take seriously.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How old do you have to be to get a job?

Federal law sets 14 as the minimum age for most non-agricultural jobs, with limits on hours for 14- and 15-year-olds during the school year. States can set higher ages or stricter hour rules, and different rules apply to farm work, newspaper delivery, and family businesses. Check your state labor department alongside the Department of Labor's YouthRules! pages.

Do I need a work permit to get my first job?

It depends on your state and your age. Many states require minors to get a work permit or age certificate, usually issued through a school counselor or the state labor department after an employer offers you the job. Ask your school first — they typically handle the paperwork and know your state's process.

What do I put on a resume if I have never had a job?

Put school activities, volunteer work, informal jobs like babysitting or yard work, coursework, and any responsibility you have carried consistently. Employers hiring for entry-level roles are looking for evidence you show up and follow through, not a work history. Our resume-with-no-experience guide gives you a one-page format to copy.

Is Job Corps free, and who can join?

Job Corps is a free federal program for eligible young people ages 16 through 24. It offers career and technical training, help finishing a high school diploma or equivalency, housing at residential centers, and job placement support at no cost. Eligibility is determined by an admissions counselor based on income and other federal criteria.

Can my employer make me work late on a school night?

Not if you are 14 or 15. Federal law restricts the hours and times of day 14- and 15-year-olds can work when school is in session, and many states add tighter limits for 16- and 17-year-olds too. If your schedule looks wrong, check your state's youth employment rules and raise it with your manager or your state labor department.

Should I do an apprenticeship instead of going to college?

It is a legitimate path, not a fallback. Registered apprenticeships pay you while you train and end in a recognized credential without tuition debt, which fits well if you learn best by doing. Compare specific programs, their wage progression, and local demand before deciding — and remember you can start an apprenticeship and pursue school later.