How to Get Your First Job at 16

Landing your first job at 16 feels like a bigger hurdle than it actually is. Most employers who hire teenagers are not looking for experience. They are looking for someone reliable, punctual, and willing to learn. The barrier to your first job is lower than you think, and with the right approach you can move from zero to hired in a matter of weeks.

To get your first job at 16 you need to know which jobs actually hire teens, what documents you need, how to build a resume with no work experience, where to search, what employers look for, and how to prepare for an interview. This guide covers all six.

What Jobs Can You Get at 16 With No Experience?

Most entry-level jobs in food service, retail, and recreation hire 16-year-olds with no prior experience. Reliable availability and a willingness to learn matter more than a work history at this stage.

The most accessible options for a first job at 16 include fast food and food service ($15 to $17/hr in Canada, $12 to $15/hr in most US states), grocery store cashier or stocker ($15 to $17/hr), retail associate at clothing or electronics stores ($15 to $17/hr), movie theatre staff ($15 to $16/hr), and car wash attendant ($15 to $16/hr). These employers hire teens regularly and tend to train on the job, so no experience is genuinely required.

If you have a specific skill or certification, the pay ceiling is higher. Tutoring your peers in a subject you are strong in typically pays $20 to $45 per hour, depending on the subject and platform. Lifeguarding pays $17 to $20/hr but requires a certification such as Bronze Medallion in Canada. Babysitting and childcare pay $15 to $20/hr with flexible hours. Dog walking and pet sitting through apps like Rover can earn $15 to $25/hr with almost no barrier to entry.

For a broader look at teen income options beyond traditional employment, including freelance and online work, the guide on financial literacy for teens covers how to think about income alongside saving and spending.

What Documents Do You Need to Start Working at 16?

In Canada, most employers require a Social Insurance Number (SIN), valid government-issued ID, and a bank account for direct deposit. In the US, you need a Social Security Number (SSN). Some provinces and states also require a work permit for workers under 16, signed by a parent or guardian.

Here is what to have ready before you apply. A SIN can be obtained through Service Canada online or in person, and takes a few days to process. Valid ID includes a passport, birth certificate, or provincial health card. A bank account for your paycheque is something most employers set up through direct deposit, so have your account number and transit and institution numbers ready. A criminal record check is rarely required for a first job at 16, but jobs involving childcare or vulnerable populations sometimes ask for one.

Work hour rules matter too. In Canada, 16-year-olds can generally work unlimited hours in non-hazardous roles, though school-day restrictions apply in most provinces. In the US, federal law allows 16-year-olds to work any hours in non-hazardous jobs, though individual states may have additional limits. Check your provincial or state labour ministry website to confirm the rules where you live.

How to Write a Resume When You Have No Work Experience

A first resume with no work experience can still be strong. Focus on your education, academic achievements, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and references. Employers hiring 16-year-olds expect this. They are not looking for a career history.

Structure your resume as one page with these sections. Contact information at the top: name, phone number, email, and city. A one-line objective: something like “Reliable and punctual Grade 11 student seeking part-time retail or food service work.” Education: your school name, current grade, and GPA if it is above 80%. Skills: communication, time management, basic computer skills, any languages you speak. Volunteer work and extracurriculars: sports teams, clubs, student council, community service hours. References: a teacher, coach, or mentor who can speak to your reliability and character. Do not list a parent as a reference.

Tailor your resume slightly for each job. If you are applying to a grocery store, mention any experience handling money or helping with tasks at home. If you are applying to a tutoring role, list your strongest subjects and any teaching or helping experience. Sending the exact same resume everywhere is fine for a start, but a small adjustment for each employer shows effort.

Where to Search for Your First Job at 16

The fastest way to land your first job at 16 is through a personal referral, but job boards and direct walk-ins are reliable backups. Most teens find their first role through one of four channels: someone they know, a direct application to a local business, an online job board, or a school connection.

Walk in directly. Fast food restaurants, grocery stores, and retail chains hire regularly and often do not post every opening online. Print a few copies of your resume and walk in to ask if they are hiring. Go mid-week, mid-morning or mid-afternoon, when managers are less busy. Ask for the hiring manager specifically.

Use job boards. Indeed (ca.indeed.com or indeed.com) is the largest job board and lets you filter by “part-time,” “entry level,” and your city. The Government of Canada Job Bank has listings specifically for youth workers. Snagajob focuses on hourly and part-time positions and often has teen-friendly listings.

Tell your network. Tell your parents, relatives, coaches, and teachers that you are looking. Many first jobs come through someone who knows someone. A personal referral from a trusted adult carries real weight with an employer, especially for a candidate with no work history.

Go through your school. Many schools have a guidance or career counsellor who maintains relationships with local employers and knows which businesses are hiring teens. This is an underused resource. Ask early in the school year rather than waiting until summer.

Time it right. If you are looking for a summer job, start applying in March and April. The youth labour market fills quickly between May and July, and the employers who hire in spring often do not have openings left by June.

What Employers Actually Look for in Teen Applicants

The top qualities employers look for in 16-year-olds are reliability, punctuality, a positive attitude, and basic communication skills. Experience is rarely the deciding factor for an entry-level position. What eliminates most teen applicants is showing up late, being hard to reach, or giving the impression they are unreliable.

Availability matters more than most teens realise. Employers hiring for food service and retail need people who can work evenings and weekends. If you can offer availability during those times, say so clearly on your application and in your interview. Flexibility is one of the most valuable things a teen applicant can offer.

Responsiveness counts too. When an employer calls or emails, respond within a few hours. Teens who take two days to respond to a callback often lose the opportunity to someone who responded the same day. Keep your phone with you and check your email regularly once your applications are out.

How to Prepare for Your First Job Interview at 16

Preparation for a first job interview means researching the company, practising answers to common questions, dressing appropriately, and arriving five to ten minutes early. The bar for a teen interview is not high. Most employers just want to confirm you are reliable, personable, and worth training.

The questions you are most likely to hear, and how to approach them:

“Tell me about yourself.” Keep it brief: your school, grade, what you enjoy, and why you are interested in this job. Two or three sentences is enough.

“Why do you want to work here?” Mention something specific about the company. If it is a local grocery store, say you shop there and respect how it is run. Employers notice when applicants have done their homework.

“What are your strengths?” Pick one or two that are relevant: reliable, quick learner, good with people, organised. Back them up with a brief real example if you can.

“What are your weaknesses?” Pick something genuine but minor, and immediately follow it with how you are working on it. “I sometimes take longer to get started on unfamiliar tasks, so I have been practising breaking things down into smaller steps” is a strong answer.

“When can you start?” The sooner the better, within reason. If you can say “as soon as you need me” and mean it, say that.

After the interview, send a brief thank-you message to the hiring manager within 24 hours. A single sentence expressing your interest and appreciation is enough. Most teen applicants do not do this. It stands out.

Your first job at 16 is less about finding the perfect role and more about getting into the habit of work. The job itself matters less than what it teaches: how to show up on time, how to work with others, and how to earn and manage your own money. Once you have that first job on your resume, getting the second one is significantly easier. For how to make the most of the income once you are earning, the guide on how much a teenager should save gives specific targets to aim for.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the best first job for a 16-year-old?

The best first job depends on your schedule and strengths, but food service and retail are the most accessible because they hire regularly, train on the job, and require no experience. If you have a strong subject at school, tutoring pays $20 to $45 per hour and builds skills that carry into any career. Lifeguarding is one of the highest-paying entry-level options for teens but requires a certification first.

How many hours can a 16-year-old work per week?

In Canada, most provinces allow 16-year-olds to work unlimited hours in non-hazardous roles, with restrictions during school hours on school days. In the US, federal law places no hour limits on 16-year-olds in non-hazardous jobs, though individual states may differ. Most teens working part-time take 10 to 20 hours per week to keep school performance from dropping.

Do I need a resume for my first job at 16?

Not always, but having one gives you a significant advantage. Many entry-level jobs just ask you to fill in an application, but bringing a resume when you walk in shows initiative and makes you memorable. It also forces you to organise your skills and activities in a way that helps you talk about yourself confidently in an interview.

What should I wear to a job interview at 16?

Dress one level above the job you are applying for. For food service or retail, business casual works well: clean pants or a skirt, a neat top, and closed-toe shoes. Avoid anything wrinkled, torn, or overly casual. The goal is to show you take the interview seriously, not to dress like you already work in an office.

Updated May 2026

Last updated: May 2026

Robert Puharich is the founder of TeenLearner, where he helps teens build real-world skills in money, AI, and life. With over 20 years in education and a Master of Education (M.Ed.) from UBC, he created TeenLearner to teach practical skills such as budgeting, career readiness, decision-making, and the wise use of technology. Robert is also a published author and business founder.