You can start working as young as 14 in most states, though the types of jobs available and the hours you’re allowed to work depend on your age. Getting your first job in high school comes down to a few straightforward steps: figuring out which employers hire teens, gathering the right paperwork, putting together a simple resume, and applying. Here’s how to work through each one.
Check Your Age and What Jobs You Can Do
Federal law sets 14 as the minimum age for most non-agricultural jobs. At 14 and 15, you’re limited to lighter work: cashiering, bagging groceries, busing tables, stocking shelves, and similar tasks. You can’t operate most powered equipment, work in construction, or do anything classified as hazardous. At 16 and 17, the restrictions loosen significantly and most non-hazardous jobs open up, including cooking with gas or electric grills, working in warehouses, and operating certain machinery.
Your state may have its own rules that are stricter than the federal ones, and when that’s the case, the stricter rule wins. Some states don’t allow 14-year-olds to work at all outside of agriculture or entertainment, while others mirror the federal standard closely. Your state’s Department of Labor website will have the specifics.
Get a Work Permit if Your State Requires One
Many states require minors to have a work permit (sometimes called an employment certificate) before they can start a job. The process varies, but it typically works like this: your employer offers you a job, you pick up a work permit form from your school’s guidance office or your state’s labor department, a parent or guardian signs it, and the school or labor office issues the certificate. Some states handle the entire process through schools, others through a state agency, and some use a combination.
Not every state makes work permits mandatory. In some places, employers can request one voluntarily, and the state will issue it even though it’s not legally required. Before you start job hunting, check whether your state requires a permit so you’re not caught off guard after landing an offer. Your school counselor can usually point you in the right direction quickly.
You’ll also need basic identification. Most employers will ask for documents that prove your identity and your right to work in the U.S., which for a teenager usually means a birth certificate or passport, plus a Social Security card. If you don’t have a Social Security number yet, you can apply for one through the Social Security Administration for free.
Where to Look for Open Positions
Plenty of national chains hire teenagers, though policies often vary by location and franchise owner. Grocery stores tend to be especially teen-friendly. Publix hires at 14 for roles like bagging and cart attending. Kroger offers courtesy clerk positions to 14- and 15-year-olds in some locations. Wegmans brings on cashiers starting at 15.
Fast food is another reliable option. McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell, and Chick-fil-A all have locations that hire workers as young as 14, though many individual restaurants set their own minimum at 16. Rita’s Italian Ice also hires starting at 14 in many stores. The key is to ask directly at locations near you, since hiring age can differ from one franchise to the next even within the same brand.
Beyond chains, think about local businesses. Small restaurants, ice cream shops, movie theaters, farms, landscaping companies, car washes, and seasonal attractions like amusement parks or pools often hire high schoolers. These jobs may not show up on big job boards, so walking in and asking if they’re hiring can be more effective than searching online.
For online searching, Indeed is your best bet for finding local hourly positions. You can filter by entry-level roles and search within a specific radius of your zip code. ZipRecruiter also lists hourly jobs and lets you apply quickly from your phone. Check your city or town’s website too, since many local governments and parks departments run summer employment programs specifically for teens.
Build a Simple Resume
You don’t need work experience to write a resume. What employers want to see from a high school applicant is reliability, some initiative, and basic communication skills. A one-page resume with a few well-chosen sections does the job.
Start with your name, phone number, and email address at the top. Use a professional-sounding email, not a joke handle. Then include these sections:
- Education: Your school name, expected graduation year, and GPA if it’s strong. Relevant coursework counts here too, like a culinary arts class if you’re applying to a restaurant.
- Activities and leadership: Sports teams, clubs, student government, church groups, scouting. List any specific role you held, like team captain or club treasurer, and briefly note what you did.
- Volunteer experience: Treat this like a job entry. Include the organization, the dates, and what you actually did. “Collected 80 hours of donations for a local food shelf” is more useful than just listing the organization name.
- Skills: Anything relevant to the job. If you speak a second language, know how to use a point-of-sale system, are comfortable with basic computer programs, or have a food handler’s certification, list it.
Keep the formatting clean: one readable font, consistent spacing, no colors or graphics. Print a few copies on plain white paper to bring with you when you apply in person.
How to Apply
For chain restaurants and retail stores, most applications are online. Go to the company’s careers page, search for locations near you, and fill out the application. You’ll typically enter your personal information, availability, and sometimes answer a short questionnaire. Some stores also have a paper application you can fill out on-site, so it’s worth asking.
For local businesses, walking in during a slow time (mid-afternoon on a weekday, not during the lunch rush) and asking to speak with a manager is still one of the most effective approaches. Bring your resume, dress neatly, and be ready to briefly explain when you’re available to work. A confident, polite introduction in person makes a stronger impression than an online form for many small business owners.
Apply to multiple places at once. Entry-level teen hiring can be competitive during the summer when everyone is looking, and many applications simply won’t get a response. Casting a wide net gives you better odds.
Know Your Work Hour Limits
If you’re 14 or 15, federal law caps your hours during the school year at 3 hours on a school day and 18 hours in a school week. On non-school days you can work up to 8 hours, and during breaks or summer you can work up to 40 hours per week. You also can’t work before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. during the school year. In summer (June 1 through Labor Day), the evening cutoff extends to 9 p.m.
If you’re 16 or 17, there are no federal limits on your hours. However, your state may still impose its own restrictions on nightwork or total weekly hours for 16- and 17-year-olds, especially on school nights. Many states prohibit minors under 18 from working past 10 or 11 p.m. on nights before a school day.
When you’re filling out your availability on an application, be honest about when you can work. Employers who hire teens are used to working around school schedules. Offering a couple of weekday afternoons plus weekend shifts is a realistic starting point that most managers will appreciate.
What to Expect From the Interview
Most interviews for entry-level teen positions are short and informal, often just 10 to 15 minutes with a shift manager. You’ll likely be asked why you want to work there, when you’re available, and how you’d handle a basic customer interaction. Practice answering a few common questions out loud beforehand so you’re not caught off guard.
Show up a few minutes early, make eye contact, and be ready to talk about anything on your resume. If you mentioned volunteering at a food bank, you might be asked what you did there. The interviewer is mostly trying to gauge whether you’ll show up on time, be friendly to customers, and follow directions. Enthusiasm and reliability matter far more than polish at this stage.
After the interview, ask when you can expect to hear back. If a week passes with no word, it’s fine to call or stop by and politely check in. Following up signals genuine interest and keeps your name fresh in the manager’s mind.