Job Search
Job search for teens involves finding and securing part-time work or internships while developing professional skills like resume writing, interviewing, and workplace communication.
Why teen job searches feel overwhelming
First-time job searching requires multiple new skills simultaneously while managing school, activities, and social pressures.
Job search challenges for teens:
• No previous experience to highlight
• Uncertainty about appropriate jobs
• Fear of rejection
• Limited professional network
• Unclear application processes
• Interview anxiety
These challenges are normal but surmountable with support.
You're not alone
If your teen wants to work but gets paralyzed filling out applications, or applies everywhere with no responses, they're experiencing typical first job search struggles. Research shows 60 percent of teens want jobs but don't know how to get them. The job search process has changed dramatically since parents were teens. Online applications, personality assessments, and automated screening create new barriers requiring different strategies.
What it looks like day to day
Student
Your teen researches local businesses, customizes applications, and follows up professionally rather than mass-applying online.
Parent
You help practice interview questions and review applications while letting your teen take ownership of the process.
Tiny steps to try
- 1
Skills inventory
List all skills from school, sports, and volunteering. Everything counts as experience.
- 2
Network mapping
Identify family friends and community connections. Most teen jobs come through referrals.
- 3
Application tracking
Create simple spreadsheet tracking applications, deadlines, and follow-ups.
- 4
Interview practice
Role-play common questions. Record practice sessions to improve presentation.
- 5
Professional communication
Draft template emails for inquiries and thank-you notes. Professional writing matters.
Why early job search skills matter
Teen job search experiences build confidence and professional skills that affect career trajectories for decades.
Research by Staff and colleagues shows that quality teen employment predicts higher adult earnings and career satisfaction.
References
Staff, J., Messersmith, E. E., & Schulenberg, J. E. (2009). Adolescents and the world of work. In R. M. Lerner & L. Steinberg (Eds.), Handbook of adolescent psychology (pp. 270-313). John Wiley & Sons.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should I help with applications or let them do it alone?
Provide scaffolding, not solutions. Review applications together, pointing out errors without fixing them. Practice interviews but let them answer. Make connections but have them follow up. The goal is skill-building with support. Gradually reduce help as confidence grows. Think coaching, not doing.
My teen gets discouraged by rejection. How can I help?
Normalize rejection as part of the process. Share your own job search struggles. Celebrate effort: "You practiced professional communication!" Focus on skill development over outcomes. Set realistic expectations about response rates. Every application is practice. Rejection often isn't personal but about fit. Build resilience through perspective.
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