How to find your first job as a teenager

Getting started at 13 or 14

At this age, you can’t work full-time. But in most parts of the UK, you can work part-time from the age 13. Some councils may only allow it from 14, so it’s important to check the rules in your local area before you start looking for your first job.

You’ll also need a work permit from your council. Your employer usually sorts this out for you. This helps make sure the job is safe and doesn’t affect your school or health. You don’t need a permit for odd jobs like helping family, friends or neighbours.

Legal rules for working at 13 or 14:

• During term-time: Up to 12 hours a week. That's a maximum of two hours on school days, five hours on Saturdays and two hours on Sundays
• During school holidays: Up to 25 hours a week, maximum five hours a day
• You can’t work during school hours
• You can only work between 7am and 7pm
• If you work four hours or more, you must get a break of at least one hour
• You can’t do dangerous jobs (for example, working in pubs, kitchens with sharp tools or construction)

But even with these rules in place, there are still ways to earn a bit of extra money and gain experience.

Jobs you can try:

• Paper round: Delivering newspapers or leaflets in your local area
• Dog walking: Helping neighbours or local pet owners walk their dogs
• Washing cars: Using a bucket or sponge or waterless cleaner
• Mowing lawns or gardening: Could include weeding, watering or sweeping leaves
• Babysitting for family or friends: Start with short, supervised sessions first
• Heping at a local market stall, café or shop owned by someone you know: Setting up, wiping tables, tidying or running small errands
• Shop work: Stacking shelves or helping out, with supervision
• Office work: Filing, photocopying or basic computer tasks
• Hairdresser’s assistant: Sweeping, making tea or helping at reception
• Helping at sports clubs or local events: Assisting with simple tasks under supervision

These jobs are a great way to start earning, learn responsibility and show future employers that you’re willing to work hard.

Where to look:

• Ask family, friends and neighbours if they need a hand with small jobs
• Walk around your local area and check for job adverts in shop windows
• Join local Facebook groups with a parent or guardian and check for posts
• Look out for posters at schools, libraries or community centres

Things to remember:

• You need a permit and must follow all working hours rules
• You must not work during school hours or very late or early in the day
• Make sure your job doesn’t get in the way of school or your schoolwork
• Always let an adult know where you are and who you’re working for

Part-time jobs for 15 to 17 year olds

Once you turn 15, there are more jobs that you can apply for. Shops, cafés and supermarkets often take on teenage staff, especially for weekends and school holidays. You might even find opportunities at holiday clubs or sports clubs, which could be fun if you enjoy staying active or working with children.

But you’ll still need to follow some important rules.

Legal rules for working if you’re still in school:

• During term-time: You can work up to 12 hours a week. That’s a maximum of two hours on school days and Sundays, and up to eight hours on Saturdays (if you’re 15 or over)
• During school holidays: You can work up to 35 hours. That’s no more than eight hours during the week and on Saturdays, and up to two hours on Sundays
• You can’t work during school hours
• You can only work between 7am and 7pm
• If you work four hours or more, you must get a break of at least one hour
• You can’t do jobs that are unsafe or could affect your health or education

If you’re 17 and have left school:

• You can work up to eight hours a day and 40 hours a week
• You must get at least two days off each week
• You can usually work between 6am and 10pm or later in some jobs (like hospitality, with certain rules)
• You must still be in some kind of education or training until your turn 18, like college, an apprenticeship or part-time learning alongside your job

Jobs you can try:

• Shop assistant: Stacking shelves, helping customers or working on the tills
• Café or coffee shop helper: Clearing tables, making drinks or taking orders
• Fast food restaurants: Taking orders, serving food or helping in the kitchen
• Supermarket work: Helping with stock, shelf stacking, trolleys or checkouts
• Cleaning: Schools, offices or homes may need part-time cleaners
• Holiday clubs or playgroups: Helping with games and activities for younger kids
• Hair and beauty salons: Sweeping up, making drinks or booking appointments
• Helping at sports clubs or weekend classes: Great if you like sport or dance

How to find jobs:

• Check the shop or business’s website for a recruitment email address or online form
• Or write a simple CV and hand it into local shops, cafés or businesses
• Ask friends if their workplaces are looking for staff
• Search online using job websites like Indeed or local youth job boards
• Use posters in schools or youth centres
• If you’ve done work experience through school, ask that employer if they have any part-time jobs going

Things to remember:

• You and your employer must follow the rules on when and how much you can work
• Employers must also follow rules to make sure the job is safe and suitable for you
• If you're unsure about anything, ask a parent, carer or teacher to help check if the job is right for you

Getting into work at 18

Just turned 18? Now that you’ve celebrated your milestone birthday, you’re legally an adult. And that means you can work full-time and apply for many more types of jobs.

This could be your first step into a career, or just a way to earn money while you study, save up for university or put aside money for something big, like your first car.

Legal working rules at 18:

• You must get at least one day off every week (or two days off every fortnight)
• You’re entitled to at least a 20-minute break if you work more than six hours in a day
• You need 11 hours of rest between working days
• You can work night shifts, but employers must follow extra health and safety rules
• You must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage for your age group
• You can’t work more than 48 hours a week on average, unless you choose to opt out

Jobs you can try:

• Apprenticeships: Earn and learn at the same time in an area that interests you, like construction, beauty, childcare, digital or business. You’ll get hands-on experience, work towards a qualification and earn a wage too
• Paid internships: These are often short-term roles that give you real-world experience in fields like media, tech, design or charities
• Office jobs: Roles in admin, customer service or call centres. Some can be part-time or even remote, depending on the role
• Retail jobs: Working in high street shops, supermarkets or shopping centres. You may help with the tills, stock or customer service
• Warehouse or delivery jobs: Packing or delivering goods for shops and online retailers. But remember, you’ll need a driving licence for delivery roles
• Freelance work: Using skills like like photography, writing, content creation, video editing or tutoring. You can work for yourself or take on small projects on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork
• Hospitality work: Jobs in restaurants, hotels, catering or events. You could be serving customers, helping in the kitchen or working behind the scenes

These jobs can help you earn your own money, grow your confidence and start building your CV for the future.

How to find them:

• Search on job sites like GOV.UK, Indeed, Reed or LinkedIn
• Visit local businesses and ask if they have any jobs going
• Ask people you know if their workplace is hiring
• Check your college or sixth form job board
• Use youth job schemes or support programmes in your area

Tips to stand out:

• Make sure your CV is clear and easy to read – ask a teacher or careers adviser to check it
• Write a short cover note saying why you’re interested in the job and what skills you can offer them
• If you’re applying online, make sure your email and social media look professional
• Be honest about what you know, as employers often care more about attitude than experience