Jen David 
Ready to get your first job?
One of the most exciting things about being a teenager is the increased independence you have. And with that comes the potential to earn your own money! It's early days, though. You may not be ready to become the IT Director of a multinational business quite yet, but everyone has to start somewhere. The question is, where? In this article, we're searching for the best job for a 16-year-old and considering various options.
What job options does a 16-year-old have?
Believe it or not, there are plenty of options out there. The best job for a 16-year-old is one that suits their personal situation. Living in the city or the country, introverted or extroverted, preferring outdoors to indoors – whoever you are, whatever you like, there's a job for you. So, what do you want?
Seasonal work
If you just want to earn some cash in the short term, seasonal work may be what you're looking for. Seasonal jobs, by their very nature, aren't long-term positions, but they enable you to get some money in your pocket, gain valuable work experience for your resume, and buy you time to find something longer term. In this category, you could consider shoveling snow, mowing lawns, or wrapping gifts.
Traditional
Of course, if you want to earn money by working in roles traditionally reserved for teenagers, you'll probably find yourself working among like-minded people of a similar age. If your co-workers are important to you, consider roles such as Cinema Usher, Barista, or Busser.
Entrepreneurial
Fancy yourself as the next Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg? Harness your entrepreneurial spirit by setting up your own business. This is a great option for developing your all-round business acumen and taking full control of your income. Build on your existing skills and interests by stepping out into graphic design, pet sitting, or baking.
Skills-based
If you want a job where you'll naturally excel, think about where your skills lie. Whether you're great with kids, a whiz with a laptop, or a math genius, you can monetize that! You could earn extra cash as a Babysitter, Web Developer, or Tutor.
Future-facing
If your primary objective is to build your resume rather than earning immediate cash, you can try finding a job aligned with your future plans. If you can secure a role related to your career objectives – even if it only offers minimal hours or low pay, then this option will pay off in the long term. Build your career skills as a Library Assistant, Personal Assistant, or Cook.
Voluntary
If you're lucky enough that cash isn't your main driver, the world's your oyster! You can develop new skills, fill your time productively, and pursue your interests by undertaking voluntary work. This will look great on your resume in the future! Think about roles befriending the elderly, caring for rescued animals, or serving in a soup kitchen.
Best jobs for a 16-year-old
So now that you have a good idea of what type of jobs are available to you, let's look at some options in more depth.
Cashier
This is one of the most popular jobs for 16-year-olds. You'll interact with customers, deliver service with a smile, and process cash and card transactions. You'll improve your communication skills and it's usually pretty easy to pick up.
Busser
If you enjoy a busy environment, maybe a job as a Busser is for you. You'll be setting and clearing tables and generally supporting waiting staff in a restaurant. To succeed in this role, you'll need great attention to detail and the confidence to interact with customers.
Dishwasher
If you'd rather stay behind the scenes, maybe you'd prefer working as a Dishwasher. The work can be repetitive, but it's important to keep the restaurant running smoothly. You'll develop knowledge of hygiene and food safety. You'll also need to be self-motivated and able to follow instructions.
Golf Caddy
Not everyone wants to be cooped up inside. For those who prefer the great outdoors, caddying is a good first job for a 16-year-old. It helps if you have some knowledge of golf, including different clubs, rules, and courses – and you'll need to be physically fit too.
Lifeguard
Another popular option for teenagers who like to stay active is lifeguarding. If you live near the beach or in a town with a public pool, you'll be able to play your part in keeping your community safe. As an added bonus, you'll also get training in first aid to add to your resume!
Dog Walker
Animal lovers will thrive in pet care roles. Is there anyone in your neighborhood who would appreciate some help with their dog? These days, many pet owners are short on daytime care for their animals. Similarly, there are plenty of people who struggle to walk their dogs due to illness or disability. Whether you offer long walks in the countryside or just pop in to feed and water them, your help will surely be appreciated.
Babysitter
One of the best jobs for a 16-year-old has always been babysitting. If you're great with kids or have experience looking after younger siblings, there will be parents willing to pay you for a few hours of downtime. You need to be willing to take responsibility to do this job safely, so it's a great introduction to the working world.
Sports Coach
When you're looking for good jobs for 16-year-olds with good pay, you can't go wrong with sports coaching. Many teens have spent their youth participating in sports activities, so this role is a great way to combine a personal interest with a skill you've already developed. Why not speak with your coaches to see if they have any opportunities for you to play a bigger part in the club?
Camp Counselor
Camp Counselors are role models for their campers. In addition to keeping campers safe, Counselors also need first class organization and planning skills to ensure activities run smoothly. Excellent communication skills are also a must, to interact with parents as well as children. This role is great for developing leadership skills and for gaining valuable experience for a career in childcare.
Delivery Rider
Make the most of your new motorbike or car license and earn some gas money by making deliveries. You'll need to combine practical skills such as navigating and driving with soft skills such as customer service. While you may not yet be old enough to work for the big companies such as DoorDash and UberEats, you can still deliver newspapers and items from local stores.
Gardener
Another job for those who enjoy being outside, and a perfect opportunity for entrepreneurs, is gardening. Leaflet the local area and be willing to follow instructions, work with meticulous care, and learn as you go. From basic lawn mowing to more complex planting and pruning, there are a lot of services you can provide when you've developed the knowledge.
Car Washer
This is often considered one of the best jobs for 16-year-olds as it's so easy to begin. Practice on your parents' car, then arm yourself with a bucket and sponge and offer your services along your street and further afield. This role is hard physical work, but you'll develop top customer service skills and attention to detail. If you do a good job, you'll be able to request references from your customers and get more work in the future.
Blogger
Prefer writing on your own to physical work with others? No problem! You can use your writing skills to generate an income! This one may take a while to get off the ground, but it's worth it if you want to make your hobby your job. Start with your own blog and guest posts on other blogs. Ideally, you'll have a niche area of expertise that you can write about to build your reputation. You can monetize this skill through affiliate marketing, sponsored content, or, eventually, paid posts.
Amusement Park Team Member
If you're lucky enough to live near an amusement park in the summer season, you may be hired as part of their entertainment team. To thrive here, you'll need to be confident, outgoing, and physically fit. You'll also need to keep one eye on safety, whatever else may be happening around you.
Farm Worker
In rural areas, a popular seasonal job for teenagers is farm work. There are plenty of different roles in this area, depending on the farm, so you could be doing anything from caring for animals to maintaining agricultural machinery or harvesting plants. You'll need to be happy working outdoors for long hours on your own initiative.
Festive Decorator
Do you love the festive seasons? Christmas, Halloween, and Thanksgiving all need decorations to truly go off with a bang. Could you help your neighbors to decorate? The elderly or disabled in particular might appreciate the assistance. Whether you want to get creative with your own ideas or simply follow their directions, your input will surely be appreciated.
Data Entry Clerk
If you're confident with a keyboard and can work with unfailing attention to detail, a local business may be willing to employ you to enter data for them. You can find opportunities on sites such as Fiverr and Upwork, but be on the alert for fraud and never part with any money on the promise of a job. Data entry jobs can be on-site or remote.
Barista
Coffee culture is sweeping the world and there's a cafe on every corner. If you know your latte from your flat white and love speaking to people, a job as a Barista will be right up your street. As well as making drinks, you'll be handling cash, serving food, and ensuring customer satisfaction at every turn.
Just need cash?
Sometimes, the potential to earn a fast buck is more important than the actual job. Whether you want to buy a birthday present for your mom or have a big night out with your mates, by the time you're 16 it's likely that you'll want to be in control of your finances. So, what job pays most and how can you make a lot of money at 16?
Well, if it was that easy, everyone would be doing it! You're most likely to earn money if you're willing to put in the hours and the effort; it's that simple. There's no single “best job for a 16-year-old,” as everyone is different and each town has different opportunities.
Of course, if you work for yourself, you can set your own prices – as long as people are willing to pay! You'll need to research your competitors and price yourself fairly in order to win business. If you're looking for employment rather than self-employment opportunities, you'll need to compare hourly wages where you live. Sites like Indeed can be a great place to start your research and to find suitable jobs.
What are the legal restrictions?
In the USA, there are laws in place to protect young workers. Unless you're working in agriculture, you'll only be allowed to work limited hours until you turn 16 (the exact number of hours varies by state). After your 16th birthday, the hours are unlimited – as long as you're not working in a hazardous environment. You may need a work permit if you're still in high school.
How should a teen job look on a resume?
We've looked at good first jobs for 16-year-olds and hopefully you've found one suitable for you. But now you've landed your first job, you'll want to put it on your resume! Employers love to hire people with experience, even if it's in a completely different field, so it's really important that you show off the skills you've acquired.
Write a summary profile
It's tricky to write your elevator pitch when you don't have work experience – but now you have something to shout about. Use this section to tell the employer how you'd fit into their company by reflecting the skills, experience, and attitude that they're looking for. A few lines is enough here.
Add some key skills
This section will really get a boost now you have some work experience behind you. If you gained that experience in a role unrelated to your current career aspirations, you can focus on transferable skills here – otherwise, add in some of your newly-acquired hard skills, too.
Don't forget your education
Every strong resume has a section for education and qualifications. If you haven't completed any yet, it's fine to note what you're currently doing, with a note that it's “in progress”.
Make that work experience shine!
Now all your hard work comes into its own. Add your job title and the employer name, plus the start and end dates of your employment. If you've been doing casual work, such as ad hoc babysitting or gardening jobs, you can simply put “freelance” or “self-employed,” rather than listing employer names.
Then, briefly outline your responsibilities. Think about how they might differ from another job with the same job title. For example, if your job title is “Sports Coach,” an employer might be interested to know whether you coached martial arts for 5-year-olds or baseball for 13-year-olds.
When you've explained your role, try to add any related successes or accomplishments. It can be tricky when you're working in part-time or ad hoc roles, but you'll have achieved more than you think. Why not ask your customers or boss for feedback, so that you can make your resume stand out from others in the pile?
Anything else?
Do you have any other talents that might make your resume sing? If you can do anything that your average teen can't, add it at the end of the document. For example, maybe you're fluent in another language or know how to troubleshoot technical computer problems.
Build a career on your teen work experience
Whatever you decide is the best job for a 16-year-old, you'll develop new skills, gain insight into how business works, and position yourself to launch into a full-time role when the time comes. Whether you work for cash or experience, having a teen job under your belt is a fantastic start to your career.
If you'd like a free resume review to ensure you've captured your experience in a way that's appealing to employers, submit your document now to the experts at Top Resume.