Finding your first job

What to know

1. Tell people you're looking. CareerOneStop, the Labor Department's career site, says about half of all new jobs are found through connections, and many openings are never posted. Source: CareerOneStop¹ Tell family, friends, teachers, coaches and neighbors what kind of work you want, and ask whether they know anyone hiring. Source: CareerOneStop¹
2. Search your state's job bank. Every state has one. You create a free account, post your resume and search, and state job banks often have fewer fake or duplicate postings than commercial ones. Source: CareerOneStop² CareerOneStop also runs a free national job finder that's updated daily. Source: CareerOneStop²
3. Search smart on any job site. Try several keywords, use filters, sort newest first, and read postings in your field to see which skills employers want and what they pay. Source: CareerOneStop²
4. Check the employer's own website. When you find a job you like, look for it on the company's site. Job sites sometimes keep outdated postings. Source: CareerOneStop² It also helps to check the careers pages of places you'd like to work, even if you haven't seen an ad.
5. Get free in-person help. American Job Centers help people search for jobs, find training and answer employment questions, and there are centers nationwide. Source: CareerOneStop³
6. Write a one-page resume. Put your name, address, phone and email at the top, then your 3 or 4 top skills or accomplishments, any jobs, your education, and volunteer work, sports or clubs that show responsibility. Source: CareerOneStop⁴ Use keywords that match the job posting, and proofread it. Source: CareerOneStop⁴ See What a resume is for.
7. No experience? Count what you've done. Babysitting, mowing lawns, pet care, volunteering, clubs and sports all build skills you can put on a resume. Source: CareerOneStop⁵
8. Line up references before you apply. Most employers ask for three, either when you apply or at the interview. Source: CareerOneStop⁴ Ask permission first, and use a past supervisor, teacher, coach or volunteer leader, not family. Source: CareerOneStop⁴
9. Apply, then write it down. Keep a record of every job you apply to, because postings can disappear after the deadline and you'll want the details if they call you for an interview. Source: CareerOneStop² Write down the job title, company, date, where you found it, and any contact name.
10. Get ready for the call. Practice answers to common interview questions. Source: CareerOneStop⁶ See How interviews work.

If you're under 18: the work rules

Federal law sets the floor, and many states add their own rules. When both apply, you follow the stricter one. Source: DOL Wage and Hour⁸

Check your state's limits in the Labor Department's state-by-state table. Source: DOL⁹

Jobs for 14- and 15-year-olds

• OK: most office, retail and food service jobs, like bagging groceries, stocking shelves and cashiering. Limited cooking is allowed. Source: DOL⁸
• Not OK: running power-driven machines other than office machines, any baking, door-to-door sales, or working from ladders or scaffolds. Source: DOL⁸
• The rule for this age is strict: if a job isn't on the permitted list, it's prohibited. Source: DOL⁸

Off-limits until you're 18

• Federal law bans everyone under 18 from 17 kinds of hazardous work, called Hazardous Occupations Orders. Source: DOL⁸ Some you might run into at a first job:
• Driving on public roads as part of the job (17-year-olds have a narrow exception). Source: DOL⁸
• Forklifts, scissor lifts and other power-driven hoists. Source: DOL⁸
• Power meat slicers and saws, even in a restaurant or deli, and power dough mixers. Source: DOL⁸
• Trash compactors and cardboard balers, and power saws, chain saws and wood chippers. Source: DOL⁸
• Roofing, demolition, and trenches more than 4 feet deep. Source: DOL⁸
• Running a machine usually includes setting it up, adjusting, oiling or cleaning it, so cleaning the slicer counts. Source: DOL⁸

Work permits

Federal law doesn't require a work permit, but many states do. Source: DOL⁸ The Labor Department's table shows each state's rule, last revised January 1, 2024. For example, New York requires an employment certificate for workers under 18, and Texas issues one only on request. Source: DOL¹⁰ Because the federal agency doesn't run state programs, check your state labor department for the current form and who signs it, often your school. Source: DOL¹⁰

If something's wrong at work

You can call the Wage and Hour Division at 1-866-487-9243. Complaints are free and confidential, and your employer can't retaliate against you for filing one. Source: DOL YouthRules¹¹ DOL also has a free timesheet app for tracking your hours and pay. Source: DOL YouthRules¹¹

Application tracker (copy this)

Keep one row per job. Example rows are made up.

Look back at it every week: follow up on anything older than a week.

What to say when you ask around (script)

• "I'm looking for my first job, ideally [kind of work], about [hours] a week. Do you know anyone who's hiring, or someone I could ask?"
• "Would you be OK being a reference for me? I can send you my resume."

If it doesn't work

• Not hearing back? Compare your resume with the posting and use more of its exact words. Source: CareerOneStop⁴ Then ask someone at an American Job Center to look it over. Source: CareerOneStop³
• Can't get experience without a job? Try an internship, job shadowing, volunteering or small jobs for neighbors. Source: CareerOneStop⁵
• Want a government job? Federal and postal job information is free, and it's always free to apply. Never answer an ad that promises a federal or postal job for a fee. Source: FTC⁷
• An offer that pays a lot for little work? The FTC says that's almost certainly a scam. Source: FTC⁷
• A staffing agency wants a fee? Honest placement firms don't typically charge job seekers; the hiring company pays them. Source: FTC⁷