Teenagers and First Jobs: What to List for Work Experience

For teenagers applying for their first job, those job applications can be very intimidating. In addition to asking for a name and all kinds of personal information, employers also ask for references and prior work experience. Teenagers entering the job market for the very first time often leave those sections blank, because they really don't know what to write.

In a competitive job market, teenagers with prior work experience have an edge over those that don't. Leaving that part of the application blank puts you at a disadvantage. So what do should a teenager list under work experience when this is his first job?

Volunteer work

Whether you are getting paid for it or not, volunteer work is a job. Most volunteer jobs mean that you work under a supervisor who tells you when to show up and what to do.

Were you part of a Habit for Humanity Team? Volunteered regularly at a food bank or shelter home? Tutored younger students, set lights for drama club, planted trees around the city, or handled the PA system at your school? These are excellent examples of jobs that can be listed in the work experience section of your application. Do speak with the faculty advisor or volunteer coordinator in charge of these volunteer groups, and ask permission to list him as a work reference.

Casual jobs

By the time most teens enter the job market, they have already had some part time jobs mowing lawns, baby sitting, raking leaves, or walking the dog. Long term baby sitting or mowing jobs are great jobs to list on a resume. Do ask your customers if it's OK to list their name and phone number as a work reference on your application.

Did you have a job that was a non-cash paying gig? School cafeteria jobs, for example, often give students a free lunch in exchange for 15 minutes of help at the chow line. These type of jobs also count and can be listed under work experience.

Internships

Internships are a way of gaining on-the-job experience in a particular field. High school internships have become more popular in recent years and should also be included on a job application.

Family businesses

Do you help your parents with their family business? Run a register, order supplies, feed the cows, help with the bookkeeping, or do stockroom work? No matter how insignificant the job may sound, consider including a description in the job application. You never know what kind of experience might impress a prospective new employer.

There is a secret to using all this work experience to your best advantage. The secret is matching up the best of this previous work experience to the job which you are applying for. For jobs in the food industry, for example, you'll want to include all your experiences in handling and preparing food, stock work, and working with cash. Your city's Parks Maintenance Department might be more interested in your experience with yard work and mowing lawns.

There's all sorts of great summer jobs out there for teenagers and lots of competition. But, by including some of these past work experiences on your application and furnishing carefully chosen references, the odds of landing that perfect summer job will be more in your favor.