Your parents might be pestering you to get up and get a job to save some of your own money instead of borrowing from them, so this list of the easiest first-time jobs to get for teenagers is a great resource for you.
For a lot of jobs, the application process is daunting and, quite frankly, aggravating. There’s only so many times you can write or type your name and information without wanting to tear off your arms. It’s mostly worth it when you finally score a job and start making money, but avoiding it until you’re applying for other full-time positions is always nice.
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The most important aspects of a job for a teenager, especially a first-time job, are flexibility in scheduling, location, and the things you like doing. It’s not exciting to apply for a job you’re not interested in, and that’ll reflect in your demeanor at your job, so try to stick to things you think you’ll like. The location is important because you’ve either just gotten your license or you don’t have one yet, so you need to make sure it’s fairly close to home. Make sure your schedule can be flexible, too, so you can work this around school. If you’re simply looking to fatten up your savings account, though, check out the highest paying part-time jobs for teens.
My first jobs weren’t glamorous. I definitely wasn’t sitting at a desk doing something I loved or working a normal schedule during the weekdays. Lower your expectations just a bit because even though these might be easy to apply for, they’re a lot of work when you’re in them. In my first job at a grocery store, I had to clean grime off the floor under the freezers, which was disgusting despite it being an easy job to get. I’m glad I’m not doing that anymore and I wish you luck if that’s a task you’re assigned.
In order to create this list, I took some recommendations from job hunting websites, like Money Crashers, LocalWise, and Snag-A-Job. I also threw in a little bit of personal experience here. These aren’t ranked, since all jobs do require some type of vetting process that, while it varies, is fairly equal in difficulty.
If you’re a first-time job seeker, keep reading to learn more about the easiest first-time jobs to get for teenagers.
10. Barista
This job might require waking up at an ungodly hour to serve the masses their daily caffeine fix, but if you can handle it then head over to your local coffee shop and apply. If you can prove that you’ll be able to learn how to make different drinks and deal with customers, this won’t be a tough application process.
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9. Busser
You might groan when your mom tells you to clear the table after dinner, but now you can get paid for cleaning off tables. Bussing tables isn’t the most glamorous job, but it doesn’t require a ton of experience. Lots of teenagers have worked in food service and paid their dues.
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8. Ice cream scooper
This is a great job if you love ice cream, but horrible if you have no self-control around it. Don’t apply here if you plan to eat ice cream out of the tubs when it’s slow because you will probably get fired and it’ll be a mess. However, it’s a great jumping off point for anyone without a lot of previous experience. And now, let’s see what else we have in our list of easiest first-time jobs to get for teenagers.
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7. Retail sales associate
We are continuing our list of easiest first-time jobs to get for teenagers with retail, that is another job type that doesn’t require a lot of skill to get your foot in the door. The application process is generally easy and only takes one interview to get going. It’s a laid-back environment and if you score a job at your favorite store you’ll get a great discount, too. The discount alone should be worth the work.
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6. Grocery store stocker
My first job was at a grocery store. It was a really easy application process. All I did was fill out the application and turn it into the manager. She then called me the next day and I interviewed and was hired on the spot. There’s not much skill required to be hired and customer service is something that looks wonderful on a resume.
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5. Tutor
If you make decent grades and feel like you can teach someone a subject, offer your services. You can even offer your help to younger kids who are struggling with learning. This is something you can do without going through a job application process, too. Ask around to your friends and neighbors if they know anyone who needs a tutor and bam! You got the job. Congratulations.
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4. Host/hostess
Restaurants are almost always looking for new members to add to their host staff. It doesn’t take much to get this job, as a lot of teenagers start out in food service, which you’ve probably noticed if you’ve been to a restaurant ever in your life. That’s why it ranks on our list of the easiest first-time jobs to get for teenagers.
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3. Movie theater cashier/usher
One of my first jobs was at a movie theater, and I can tell you from personal experience that this was one of the easiest jobs I ever got. The job is relatively easy, too. The added benefit is free popcorn and a chance to see some movies before they’re officially released. If you can tolerate people who complain every time they want to buy popcorn that it’s overpriced, this is a solid option. And now, let’s see the top two entries in our list of easiest first-time jobs to get for teenagers.
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2. Lifeguard
I’ve known many people throughout my high school years who were lifeguards at the local pool, and it’s a relatively easy job to get if you’re an apt swimmer. You basically just have to prove you can swim and tread water, and also you’ll have to become CPR certified. Just spend a day at a training class and you’re good to go. It may seem like that training day isn’t easy, but being CPR certified is a great thing to put on your resume. It’s a job that’ll likely only last for the summer, but it’s a great first job to get some experience under your belt.
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1. Babysitter
You don’t need much experience to become a babysitter. As long as you know someone with a kid, you’ll likely have a relatively easy time making some money here. It’s a great first-time job because you’ll be able to put these skills on your resume and they’ll translate well to other jobs, which is a very important aspect of any job.
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That concludes our list of the easiest first-time jobs to get for teenagers. Hopefully this list acts as a great resource to help you find a way to increase the money in your savings account.
