First Job

How to Get Your First Job at 16 With No Experience

Here's the thing nobody tells you: every employer hiring at 16 already knows you have no experience. They're not expecting a résumé. They're looking for someone reliable, available, and willing to learn. That's it.

This guide gives you a step-by-step path from zero to hired — in under a week.

Step 1: Know what jobs actually hire at 16

Not every job is open to 16-year-olds, but more are than you think. These are the best first jobs for 16-year-olds:

• Retail — Target, Walmart, Old Navy, Five Below all hire at 16
• Food service — Chick-fil-A, Panera, Subway, Chipotle, most local restaurants
• Grocery stores — Publix, Kroger, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's
• Cafes — Starbucks hires at 16 in most states
• Tutoring — if you're strong in a subject, tutor younger students
• Lawn care / landscaping — great summer work, often cash
• Babysitting / pet sitting — no application required, high demand
• Movie theaters — AMC, Regal hire at 16 for concessions and ushering

Step 2: Build a profile, not a résumé

You don't need a traditional résumé for your first job. What you need is something that answers three questions: Who are you? When can you work? What can you do?

If you're using TeenWurk, your profile handles all of this — it auto-fills into every application so you never start from a blank page. If you're applying in person, write these things down before you walk in:

• Your full name, phone number, and email
• Your school name and expected graduation year
• Days and hours you're available (be specific — "weekends and Tuesday/Thursday after 4pm")
• One or two things you're good at ("I'm good with people" / "I'm reliable and always on time")
• Any activities: sports, clubs, babysitting, volunteering — anything counts

Step 3: Apply to at least 10 places in one week

This is where most 16-year-olds quit too early. They apply to 2–3 places, hear nothing, and assume no one is hiring. The reality: entry-level hiring is a numbers game. Apply to 10 places minimum.

Split your applications across three types:

• 3–4 chain retailers or restaurants near you (highest volume of openings)
• 3–4 local businesses near your neighborhood (less competition)
• 2–3 reach jobs that are a bit more competitive but worth trying

Step 4: Prepare for the interview in 20 minutes

First job interviews are short — usually 10–20 minutes. They'll ask you some version of these questions:

• "Tell me about yourself." → Your name, school, what you're looking for, why this job.
• "Why do you want to work here?" → Be honest and specific. "I shop here all the time" works.
• "What's your availability?" → Know your exact schedule before you walk in.
• "Can you work weekends?" → Say yes if you can. Weekend availability is the #1 thing they want.
• "Do you have any questions?" → Always say yes. Ask: "What does a typical first week look like?"

Step 5: Follow up

If you applied online and haven't heard back in 3–4 days, call or walk in and ask for an update. Most hiring managers respect the follow-up — it shows you actually want the job.