Listen, we all have to start somewhere. It doesn’t matter if you’re a teenager, college student or already an adult. The fact is you can’t get through much of life without having a job anymore. There are hundreds of options out there and career paths that you can take. It can be very annoying trying to figure it all out.
That’s why we are here. The starter jobs we list below are guaranteed to get you rolling on your next career or simply just bring you home a paycheck. By the way, if you haven’t chosen a career path yet, you should learn how to choose a career to get a jumpstart before diving into this list. If you’re not set on having a career in something just yet – these starter jobs will pave the way for you to find a high-paying job in no time.
Most Common First-Time Jobs
You’d be surprised with how many websites out there share the same information. That’s because this information is universal! Many of the jobs you’ll find as “common” or “best first job” are the same and have been the same types of jobs for a very long time.
Here is a list of the 12 most common first-time jobs:
- Babysitting
- Cashier
- Newspaper Delivery
- Camp Counselor
- Retail (Cashier, Stocker, etc.)
- Dishwashers
- Receptionists
- Managers
- Waiter/Waitresses
- Pizza Delivery
- Lifeguards
- Tutors
If none of these peaked your interest, keep reading for a much larger list below breaking down the best industries for a first-time job. You might find something else that intrigues you.
Best First Jobs, Good First Jobs
There are tons of jobs that a teenager can get. You’ll most likely end up with a part-time job if you’re just starting out and that’s ok. Your best bet is to look locally and find companies in your area that are hiring. If you can find yourself at a college career fair or a hiring event for a company then your chances of finding a solid gig can increase quite a bit.
Tips for Teens Looking for a Job
If you’re just starting out looking for a job as a teen you’ll want to follow these 9 tips to help you land that first part-time, or full-time, job.
- Prepare for the Job Hunt. You need to be mentally ready for the job hunt. If you’re only applying for a job because mommy and daddy said so, you’re not ready. You have to want to work to show up every day and be a model employee.
- Create a Simple Resume. Before you even apply anywhere you should create a simple resume that lists your work experience and any volunteer experience. You’ll want to have one handy for employers.
- Dress to Impress. You should dress in your finest clothing as well as dress to match what you’d wear on the job. You don’t need to show up in a tuxedo if the standard employee wears jeans and a t-shirt. You should expect to wear at least a nice pair of dress pants and a collared t-shirt or a business casual dress.
- Network for Job Leads. You’d be shocked at how many of your friends or friends’ parents can get you in the door somewhere. You should look at where your friends work, their parents, family members and so on. If you know someone who works somewhere they can possibly push up your application or even get you hired in.
- Research Local Companies. The best way to enter the workforce is to find a local company hiring full-time, part-time or even seasonal. These are the easiest jobs to get as most companies need general labor and aren’t looking for specialized training, making it even easier.
- Prep for Interviews. Take some time and run through some mock interview questions. Have one of your friends or family members quiz you on some questions to improve your response. The more you prepare for an interview the easier it will be.
- Be Confident. Showing the employer that you’re confident in yourself and your abilities will go a long way. You should keep your head up and maintain eye contact in every interaction. You should practice your handshake and make sure you have a firm handshake. As soon as you walk in the door to a potential employer you’re being judged, try to make the best impression.
- Follow Up with the Employers. Don’t just submit an application or resume and then go MIA on the employer. They are busy and often don’t get to applications on the same day. If you haven’t heard back from them within 3-5 business days you should follow up and see if you’ve made it to the next round in the process.
- Be Prepared for Rejection. Not everyone gets in the first time. You’ll probably be stuck filling out several applications before you finally get in the door to even interview. You can’t just submit a resume or application and assume you’ll get the job. Be prepared for this rejection and use it to your advantage. Try to understand why you didn’t get the job and see how you can improve.
Best Starter Jobs for Teenagers, Young Adults and Students
We’ve cultivated a list of the best jobs a teenager can get with no experience. All of the jobs in our list can either be found locally or as an online job. If you have no experience then you’ll want to find these types of jobs in your local area.
Food Service
The food service industry is massive and where many teenagers get their first job. There is a wide range of jobs in the food service industry so you don’t have to worry about being a “burger flipper” but you’d be surprised at how much that burger flipper can make over time.
Examples of Food Service Jobs:
- Dishwasher
- Bartender
- Waitress or Waiter
- Busperson/Janitorial
- Barista
- Prep Cook, Line Cook or Head Chef
- Cashier
- Management
Examples of Businesses:
- Fast Food Restaurant
- Local Restaurants
- Coffee Shops
- Ice Cream Parlors
- Bars (for College Students)
Retail
The retail industry is expected to continue growing, along with Food Service. If you work in these two industries you can almost guarantee your job security. Of course it depends on where you live and the economy of that area but if you’re in a prominent area or a tourism heavy area, you can expect to have a job for a long time.
Examples of Retail Jobs:
- Salesman or Saleswoman
- Cashier
- Customer Service Representative
- Stocker
- Truck Unloader
- Janitorial
- Manager, Floor Manager or Store Director
Examples of Businesses:
- Home Furnishing Stores (Art Van, HomeGoods, etc.)
- Grocery Stores (Costco, Walmart, etc.)
- Home Improvements Stores (Lowes, Home Depot, etc.)
- Clothing Stores (Victoria Secret, Coach, etc.)
Camping
There are summer camps, band camps, boy scout camps and even girl scout camps in nearly every major city or area. These types of camps are perfect for finding a summer job that you can do in between school years or as a college student. These are great seasonal jobs that even help build real-world skills you can take beyond the summer camp.
Examples of Camping Jobs:
- Counselor
- Kitchen/Cooking
- Camp Director
- Program Staff
- Lifeguard
- Janitorial
Examples of Businesses:
- Boy Scout Camps
- Girl Scout Camps
- Local Area Summer Camps
- Band Camps
Teaching & Tutoring
A good way to show your understanding of a topic is to teach other people! The key here is that if you’re able to teach others then it is assumed you’re adept at whatever you are teaching. You don’t have to be in a university or have several years of experience to tutor either.
Examples of Teaching Jobs:
- Online ESL Tutor
- Math, English or Science Tutor
- Test Preparation
- Sports Assistance
- Substitute Teacher
Examples of Businesses:
- Elementary, Middle and High Schools
- Local Community Centers
- Local Community Colleges
Freelance
Everyone loves the idea of working for themselves. Not having to report to anyone and having full control over your schedule and workload can be a dream for many. It also can be a great way to build a portfolio and add to your resume. The term freelancer basically means you’re free to work with whoever and wherever you please. Typically a freelancer takes on contract jobs with local businesses and over the internet.
Examples of Freelance Jobs:
- Photographer
- Web Designer
- Writer
- Programmer
- Virtual Assistant
- Translator
- Search Engine Optimization Expert
Examples of Businesses:
- Marketing Agencies
- Local Businesses
- Online Marketplaces (Fiverr, Upwork, etc.)
Creative
If you read creative you’re probably thinking of a graphic designer or something with art. That’s not always true. If you’re a creative person there are loads of jobs available that you can tap into your creative side with. Many of these jobs, and others, allow you to extend your creativity beyond your day to day work to truly make an impact.
Examples of Creative Jobs:
- Graphic Designer
- Floral Arrangement
- Interior Decorator
- Newspaper Writer
- Makeup Artist
- Hairdresser
- Social Media Specialist
Examples of Businesses:
- Hair Salon
- Marketing Agency
- Local Community Center
- Spa
- Flower Shop
Hospitality
Like the food and retail industries, the hospitality industry isn’t going anywhere. This one will probably be a bit more focused on larger cities than smaller and more rural areas but there are still tons of jobs out there in this industry. For the most part you’ll be taking care of customers in the form of housing, travel and in some cases food.
Examples of Hospitality Jobs:
- Event Planner
- Cruise Ship Attendant
- Flight Attendant
- Host/Hostess
- Valet or Parking Attendant
- Hotel Receptionist or Hotel Manager
Examples of Businesses:
- Hotels
- Airports
- Cruise Ships
- Travel Agencies