The simple, three-word phrase “Get a job” is a fraught one, especially if it’s a parental command.
As most of us can attest to, there are lots of things to do during the summer months that are more fun than working — especially if you’re a teenager.
(Reporter’s note: I realize I’m horribly dating myself, but I worked at a Blockbuster Video when I was in high school, and as a movie geek, this was an ideal gig.)
That being said, summer jobs are important for teenagers. They offer some financial independence, work experience, career exploration (you’ll quickly find out what you don’t want to do for a living), potentially valuable connections, and — this is lame but important — time management skills you’ll need later.
The summer job market tanked for teens during the pandemic summer of 2020, but it has started to turn around.
According to a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 55.3 percent of people aged 16 to 24 had a job last summer. That’s up a whopping 54.4 percent from 2021.
The market isn’t projected to be quite as strong as strong for 2023, according to outplacement and business and executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, adding slightly fewer jobs at 1.1 million. But there’s still plenty of work for teens.
So if you’re ready to jump in, here’s what you need to know.
Virginia’s Youth Labor Laws
The commonwealth has laws and regulations in place designed to protect children’s health and prevent exploitation. These can be found in full as part of Virginia’s Title 16 code with a breakdown for teens from the Office of the Attorney General.
If you are 12 or older, you are allowed, with your parents’ permission, to do the following:
- Work on any farm, garden, or orchard belonging to someone else;
- Deliver newspapers;
- Referee at a sporting event for a charitable or government organization;
- Work as a page or clerk for the Virginia General Assembly, if you are between 12 and 18.
For 14- and 15-year-olds:
- You need to have a work permit (you can apply online );
- There are limits on when you can work and how long;
- You can’t work in certain jobs considered to be unhealthy, unwholesome, or dangerous.
If you are 14 or 15 and have a work permit, you are allowed to work in the following places:
- Offices;
- Hospitals and nursing homes doing kitchen duties and room and hallway cleaning;
- Dry cleaners, as a cashier as long as no processing is done on the premises;
- Food places, cleaning dishes, waiting on tables (but not serving alcoholic beverages), and as a cashier or kitchen helper (with restrictions);
- Bowling alleys;
- Swimming pools as a gatekeeper or in concessions;
- Beaches, handling beach equipment.
Virginians who are 16 and 17 don’t need a work permit and don’t have restrictions on the number of hours they can work. However, they have to “comply with the compulsory school attendance law and curfew ordinances that may apply and these will influence times they can lawfully work.”
More details, including job types that don’t require an employment certificate and what teens are not allowed to do, are online through the Office of the Attorney General.
Summer Job Resources
Arlington
- Arlington County’s employment center has an entire section dedicated to job listings for teens.
- Summer camp jobs are listed online.
- Resume writing help: teen resume template and videos.
- Arlington will also review your resume: book a 1:1 resume review session.
- Practice your interview skills with videos and you can book a 1:1 job interview practice session.
Fairfax
- Fairfax County has a huge list of organizations that participate in its job fairs for teens. If you’re interested in a job, the county asks that you contact the employers directly.
- Resume Writing 101
- How to prepare for an interview
Loudoun
- Earning Mind$ was created by one of the finalists in the Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition specifically to help teens in Loudoun County find a chance to earn money and volunteer.
Of course, big job boards like Indeed, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter also have options for teens who are seeking summer employment. More focused sites like HireTeen have lots of listings for Virginia.
What to Expect at Your First Job
Getting your first job is exciting and mildly terrifying at the same time.
Here are a few key things to remember.
- Open a bank account. Making money is great, but you need a place to put it. And once the money starts coming in regularly, make yourself a reasonable budget.
- Dress for the job. Your boss is going to want you to look professional. Make sure you stick to the dress code. If there’s a uniform, keep it clean. Hygiene matters.
- Maintain a good work ethic. That means showing up on time to get the job done.
- Treat your coworkers with respect. Treat them the way you want to be treated. Bear in mind that this does not preclude them from being horrible to deal with. If they go too far, tell your supervisor. And if your supervisor is the one over the line, it’s time to talk to a trusted parent or adult.
- Most businesses stick to the “the customer is always right” motto — even when they’re demonstrably wrong and unreasonable. Stay polite, calm, and professional.
- Watch your phone use. Keep it muted during your shift. Don’t let it distract you from the job at hand.
- Taxes. These will get deducted automatically unless you’re working as a contractor (think side gigs) and get a 1099. Whether you need to file a return depends on how much money you make. If you bring home $12,950 or more, you’ll need to do so. The IRS has an interactive tool online you can use to help figure it out.
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