Getting your first job (or an entry-level job)

Updated November 2026

Your first job is mostly about showing that you are reliable, willing to learn and easy to work with. Employers hiring for entry-level jobs know you have little experience, so they look at availability, attitude and anything that proves you can show up and follow through. If you are under 18, federal and state child labor laws also limit when and where you can work.

Where entry-level jobs are

Retail and grocery stores: cashier, stocking, bagging, customer service.
Restaurants and fast food: host, server, dishwasher, counter staff.
Seasonal work: summer camps, pools, parks and holiday retail. See seasonal jobs.
Offices, warehouses, call centers and health care support: for adults starting out, many of these train new hires.
Apprenticeships: paid jobs with training in a skilled trade or occupation. Search the Department of Labor's Apprenticeship Finder.

Ask people you know, check store windows and company career pages, and visit an American Job Center, which gives free help to job seekers and has staff who work with young people.

How to stand out with no experience

Write a one-page resume anyway. List school, volunteer work, sports, clubs, babysitting, lawn mowing, church or community roles, and any certificates (CPR, food handler). Each shows responsibility. See resume tips.
Be clear about your availability. Employers filling evening and weekend shifts value someone who can actually work them. Write your available days and hours on every application.
Line up two or three references. A teacher, coach, volunteer coordinator or neighbor you have worked for. Ask them first.
Apply in person where it makes sense. At a store or restaurant, ask for the manager at a quiet time (mid-afternoon on a weekday), introduce yourself and say you have applied online.
Prepare for the interview. Practice short answers to "Tell me about yourself," "Why do you want to work here?" and "What would you do if a customer was upset?" See interview tips.
Follow up. If you hear nothing in a week, call or stop by and ask politely about the status.

Child labor rules for teens

The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets minimum ages and limits for non-farm jobs. The Department of Labor explains them on its YouthRules! site. Your state may have stricter rules, and when it does, the stricter rule applies.

Under 14

Generally cannot work in non-farm jobs covered by the FLSA. Work the law does not cover is still allowed, such as delivering newspapers to customers, acting, casual babysitting and minor chores around private homes. Children of any age may generally work for a business wholly owned by their parents, but not in mining, manufacturing or hazardous jobs.

Ages 14 and 15

You may work outside school hours in certain jobs, within these limits:

Federal hour limits for 14- and 15-year-olds
When	Limit
School day (including Friday)	3 hours
School week	18 hours
Non-school day	8 hours
Non-school week	40 hours
Time of day	7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; until 9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day

Allowed jobs include most retail work (cashiering, selling, price marking, shelving), some kitchen work (reheating food, washing dishes, limited cooking on electric or gas grills), tutoring and creative work, and errands or delivery on foot, by bicycle or by public transportation. Fifteen-year-olds who meet certain requirements may work as lifeguards. Not allowed: baking, operating most power-driven machinery, working on ladders or scaffolds, door-to-door sales, and work in freezers or meat coolers. If a job is not specifically permitted for this age group, it is prohibited.

Ages 16 and 17

No federal limit on hours, but you may not do jobs the Department of Labor has declared hazardous. There are 17 Hazardous Occupations Orders, covering things like forklifts and most power-driven hoisting equipment, power-driven meat slicers, and mining. As a general rule, employees under 18 may not drive on the job; 17-year-olds who meet strict conditions may drive in limited situations, but not at night and not for time-sensitive deliveries.

Age 18 and older

The federal youth employment rules no longer apply.

Youth minimum wage. Employers may pay workers under 20 a youth minimum wage of $4.25 an hour, but only during their first 90 consecutive calendar days on the job. After that, or from the worker's 20th birthday, at least the regular minimum wage applies. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, and many states set a higher one. If your state's minimum is higher and has no youth exception, you must be paid the higher rate.

Paperwork on your first day

Every new employee in the US fills out Form I-9, which confirms your identity and that you are allowed to work. You must complete your part (Section 1) no later than your first day of work, and you then show your employer documents from the official list of acceptable documents: either one document from List A, such as a US passport, or one from List B, such as a driver's license or state ID card, plus one from List C, such as a Social Security card or an original or certified birth certificate. Bring them on day one. You will also fill out a W-4 form so your employer can withhold federal income tax. If you are under 18, ask your employer or school counselor whether your state requires anything else, such as a work permit.

Keeping the job

Arrive a few minutes early for every shift.
If you are sick or late, call your manager before your shift starts.
Ask questions when you are unsure instead of guessing.
Keep your own record of hours worked and check each paycheck.
Give at least two weeks' notice when you leave, so you keep a good reference.