Whether you’ve got a teen that’s eager to gain some work experience or you simply want to help set up your 14 year old for adulthood by giving them a taster of the working world.
There are plenty of reasons why you might want to get a headstart in the world of work as a young person.
Perhaps you are a parent that simply wants to make sure that your teen is able to have the chance to decide what they want to do prior to becoming an adult or maybe you’re a young person that is interested in potentially undertaking a career in a certain field, but you’d like to gain some experience before you make any firm decisions.
After all, college, internships, and placements are all common “next steps” that many teens make after they finish high school – so it only makes sense that you should get a taste of what it is that you want to do before
You finish school and get thrown into the deep end. Whatever your reason for clicking on this guide, rest assured that we’re here to help you.
In this guide, we will be sharing with you some of the top jobs suitable for young people who want to gain some work experience.
Along with that, we will also be sharing with you some additional tips and tricks along the way to ensure that you are set up for success – no matter what you decide to do.
Whenever you’re ready, just keep on reading.
The Best Jobs for 14 Year Olds
As we’re sure, you might already be able to guess, getting a job as a 14 year old isn’t the norm – which means that it might not be the easiest thing to do.
Still, the good news is that there are many jobs 14 year olds can do to gain some work experience to help them decide what they might like to do for a career…or even just to earn some extra pocket money!
Whatever the reason for wanting a job might be, the good news is that we are here to help make the process of finding a job as easy as one, two, three.
We’ve done the hard work so that you won’t have to – and compiled a list of the best job ideas to give you inspiration. As well as that, along the way we are also going to be sharing with you some additional tips and tricks to help you or your teen’s endeavors.
Opting to get a job (or at the very least, some work experience) as a teenager is a great way to develop a work ethic that will last a lifetime, not to mention providing young people with the opportunity to get a taste of what to expect once they become an adult.
Along with that, a job will provide the opportunity to make some cash, too!
Before we get into the fun part, though, let’s first take a moment to outline the rules when it comes to working as a minor.
At the time of writing, the following apply to young people that wish to obtain some form of employment – whether it be paid or simply for work experience:
At the time of writing this guide, 14 years olds (minors in general) cannot:
- Work more than three hours on a school day, which also goes for Friday.
- Work for more than 18 hours a week during the school year.
- Work for more than 8 hours per day if it falls on a school day.
- Work for more than 40 hours during school breaks.
As well as this, keep in mind that if you are 14 (or your 14 year old has expressed interest in obtaining some type of employment for you) it is illegal to work before 7 am or after 7 pm any day of the week except June 1st through to Labor day.
During this small time period of the year, young people who have obtained some kind of employment are allowed to work up until 9pm instead of the cut-off, legal time of 7 pm for the rest of the year.
Before proceeding with any job applications, this is just something to keep in mind.
Now that we have covered the important parts you need to know about when considering getting a job as a young person, we will be talking you through some of the top jobs available to you.
1. Lifeguard
Kicking this list off, we have a lifeguard! If you’re searching for a job that will be fun and thrilling while also ensuring that you will pick up skills that will benefit you in later life – look no further than becoming a lifeguard.
As a side note here, please keep in mind that if you are thinking about potentially becoming a lifeguard as your first job.
You will likely be required to undertake some form of training or a course to become a qualified lifeguard who can then begin earning money.
As well as this, if you’re currently located in the states, it is also important to note that even there the majority of states allow 14 year olds to become qualified lifeguards that can earn money – some states will require you to be at least 15 years of age.
With that being said, we recommend that you double-check the age minimum in your state before going ahead and trying to become a lifeguard at 14.
2. Dog/pet sitter
Do you love animals? If you answered yes to that question, then another awesome job that you will be able to do at just 14 years of age is becoming a pet sitter!
As we’re sure, you might have very well been able to guess by the title of this next job, becoming a pet sitter essentially consists of minding other people’s pets while they are unable to.
Not only is this job super fun (we mean, who doesn’t just love spending time hanging out with some cuddly, adorable animals?) but it is also one of the most ideal for young people.
If you are interested in becoming a pet sitter, keep in mind that this job will involve things such as walking the pets, playing with them, feeding them, and spending time with them while their owners are away at work, on vacation, or just generally busy and in need of assistance.
As well as this, it is also important to keep in mind that this job will typically require you to clean up poop – so make sure that you are going to be totally okay with this before looking for work.
If you want to become a pet sitter, the good news is that you can typically get going immediately without formal qualifications.
All you will need to do is begin asking your family, friends, and neighbors if they are in need of any help with looking after their pets while they are busy. It’s a great way to get a taste of work while also earning some pocket money.
3. Grass Mower
Here’s another great job idea that 14 year olds will be able to do – and the best part? You won’t need to worry about being a certain age or getting any formal qualifications.
All you’re going to need to have is patience, a willingness to work as well as a mower so that you can clip the grass of your customers.
Lawn mowing is one of the most popular jobs that 14 year olds often undertake, and it is one of the very best ways to earn some extra money while also getting active outdoors.
If you or your teen is interested in the idea of becoming a lawn mower, then you will need to make sure that you have the right equipment to be able to do the job safely.
And that includes equipment and items such as a lawn mower, a rake, as well as gloves, and a bag to safely collect up all of the glass that gets clipped from the mower.
If you do not have access to a mower, then keep in mind that you might be able to borrow the mower from the person you are offering your services to.
While asking around the neighborhood if anyone would be interested in getting their grass mowed, you can politely ask if you can use their mower – we’re sure that they will be happy to lend it to you.
Along with this, if you are thinking about becoming a grass mower to earn some extra cash on the side, you will also need to make sure that you are willing to take the time to listen to the preferences and needs of your customers.
Just like with anything else, when it comes to gardening – homeowners tend to be quite fussy about how they like their yards to look, and that goes for their lawns, too!
To make sure that your customers will be happy with your work and regularly pay you to mow their lawns, you should be sure to ask them how they would like their lawns to be mowed so that you can be sure that they are going to be happy with your work.
4. Help Out At The Movie Theater!
Do you love nothing more than spending your free time catching up on your favorite movies? If you answered yes to that question, then another job that you might be interested in as a young person is helping out at your local movie theater.
Working at a movie theater can be an awesome way to gain some insights into what work life will be like once you become an adult – while also providing you with the chance to develop transferable skills that you will be able to apply to your future career prospects, too.
While there’s no guarantee that you will be able to get a job at a movie theater at 14, it is possible that you might be able to – so if this is something that you think you would enjoy.
Why not head down there with a parent and enquire about job opportunities? At the very least, you will be able to pass on your details that they can then keep on record until you become old enough to get a job there.
5. Cashier
If you are looking to get some hands-on experience working in a customer-facing role, then why don’t you consider trying out the role of a cashier?
While becoming a cashier can be quite a daunting thing, opting to try out this role while you are young will not only give you social skills.
But it will also provide you with the ability to acquire various transferable skills that you can then apply to whatever you choose to pursue as you become an adult.
Working in the role of a cashier, you will be required to scan customers’ items through the checkout machine, before then ringing up their purchases and going through the transaction process with them.
This means that you will also be required to handle money when working as a cashier, which is highly invaluable and excellent work experience for anyone interested in pursuing a retail career after finishing high school.
Keep in mind, however, that unlike some of the other jobs that we have already provided to you for inspiration, working as a cashier means that you will be constantly interacting with customers for the duration of your shift.
This means that you will need to ensure you are always providing excellent customer service.
This will be the case even if you happen to encounter unhappy or difficult customers, which is just something to keep in mind when deciding which job might be the best option for you at this age.
6. Pool Cleaner!
If you don’t like the sound of becoming a cashier just yet, then a job that will require you to work under your own initiative is working as a pool cleaner! This job is ideal for earning some extra money, but it’s also a great way to get active outdoors.
If you like the sound of becoming a pool cleaner, then just like the name suggests, you will be required to clean your client’s pools while potentially providing them with regular maintenance services.
If you would like to try this role out, then some of the general duties that you will be responsible for carrying out will be things such as cleaning the pool filter, vacuuming the pool, cleaning the interior walls and surfaces of the pool as well as much more.
The best part about becoming a pool cleaner is that you won’t need to worry about getting any formal qualifications or being a certain age.
In fact, all you will need to do is simply ask around in your neighborhood if there is anyone that would like to get their pool cleaned! It’s as simple as that.
Keep in mind that this job will most likely get wet/dirty during each shift, so you should be sure to wear presentable and professional clothes – but also suitable for getting stained, wet, and potentially dirty.
7. Car Washer
If earning a little bit of extra pocket money to spend at the mall with friends or to go to your piggy bank is your main reason for wanting to get a job.
Then opting to become a car washer in your spare time is easily one of the best ways to earn regular income quickly. You might even be able to earn some generous tips working as a car washer, too!
If you are open to the idea of becoming a car washer, keep in mind that – while the opportunity to earn a potentially lucrative side income is high – you will need to be okay with putting in plenty of physical effort in order to make sure that your customer’s vehicles are spick and span.
Besides earning some of your own money for the first time, working as a car washer in your free time is also an ideal option for anyone potentially interested in undertaking a career in cars/vehicles after they finish high school.
More specifically, if you happen to be interested in becoming a detailer or something similar, becoming a car washer is a great stepping stone into this line of work.
If you would like to become a car washer as your very first job, then you will essentially be responsible for cleaning the exterior of your customer’s vehicles to make sure that they are squeaky clean and free from any mud, dirt, and other debris that gets picked up from driving.
If you’re not sure where to start, why don’t you ask your neighbors if they would like to get their car cleaned by you? Word of mouth is often the best way to gain clients in this line of work.
8. Become A Tutor!
If you’re academically gifted or you have a natural talent in a certain subject – why not consider becoming a tutor for those who need help?
This line of work is especially suited to those that are naturally good with children, or even for those that are currently thinking about becoming a teacher after they finish school and start the journey of having their very own career.
If you’re not too sure of what this role is, a tutor is essentially a type of teacher that helps students (who are typically younger than them, but this doesn’t have to be) in a certain subject that they happen to be struggling with.
This means that being a tutor is highly varied and can range from helping with homework all the way to studying for an upcoming pop test!
If you like the sound of becoming a tutor but you’re not too sure where to start – we recommend asking a teacher or family member if there is anyone they know that needs help within the subject that you wish to offer tutoring lessons within.
Of course, you can offer tutoring lessons in more than one subject, but we do recommend that you only stick to subjects that you are highly knowledgeable of.
Alongside word-of-mouth methods to get students, another way that you can find people who are in need of tutoring is via online ads.
9. Delivering The Morning Newspaper
Are you an early riser? Even Though the majority of teens love nothing more than sleeping in whenever they can – if you happen to be one of the rare ones that like to wake up bright and early, why not consider becoming a Newsround?
Even though it might seem like a pretty simple job, delivering the newspaper around your neighborhood (as well as potentially even the surrounding areas of where you live, too) is one of the easiest ways to earn a decent income each month.
Not to mention providing you with the opportunity to enjoy some exercise each day, too.
If you would like to become a newspaper delivery person but don’t like the idea of going around the neighborhood by yourself.
Then why don’t you ask a friend or family member to accompany you? We’re sure they’ll be happy to come along with you.
10. Family Business
If you’re fortunate enough to have a family that runs its very own business, then why don’t you consider asking if you would be able to start working for it alongside other members of your family?
One of the biggest benefits of being able to work for a family business is that you (most likely) won’t need to worry about going down the lengthy process of filling out an application and then attending an interview.
Thanks to this, it means that you should be able to start work right away.
Additionally, working for a family business is also an awesome way to gain some experience in a hands-on work environment that will help prepare you for whatever career you decide to head down once you become an adult.
Not to mention being able to earn some cash along the way! Opting to work for a family business is also great if you are already planning on working for it once you have reached adulthood. It will stand you in good stead for a managerial position earlier in your career.
Top Tips For Getting A Job As A Young Person
Now that we have shared with you some of the best jobs you can choose to apply for as a young person, we will be sharing with you some tips and tricks that will help ensure success.
Regardless of whether you want to become a pet sitter or tutor- this guidance applies:
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Around
As we’ve already said, getting a job as a young person comes with a unique set of challenges getting a job as an adult doesn’t come with. For that reason, it might be harder to get a job simply because you’re a minor.
With that being said, if you’d like to get a job – don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and ask around for work experience; an eagerness to learn will take you far.
Ask Friends, Family, And Teachers For Advice
Given the fact that you’ve likely never had a job before, it only makes sense that deciding to get some work experience earlier in your life can seem a little scary.
For this reason, we strongly recommend you consider asking your friends, family, and even your teachers for any advice and guidance they can give you.
From potential careers, all the way to how to nail a job interview or application – learning from other people’s experiences is often the easiest way to learn something new yourself.
Prepare Yourself For Interviews
Interviews are something that you’ll likely experience many times during the course of your adult working life – so it’s a good idea to prepare yourself for them as early as you can. Why don’t you ask an adult family member for guidance?
Create A Resume
This is one of the biggest pieces of advice that we can share with you today!
Regardless of whether you currently have any work experience or not, opting to make a resume will put you in good standing in landing an interview, all while setting you apart from the competition and showing prospective employers that you are keen to get some experience in the workplace – regardless of your age.
Be Polite, Presentable, And Professional
Last but certainly not least, if you are interested in getting a job as a 14 year old, it is important to make sure that you are the “three P’s” which are as follows: polite, presentable and professional.
Whether you are thinking about becoming a pool cleaner or landing a job in a store, making sure that you are these three things will demonstrate to your potential clients/employers that you are a suitable candidate.
The Bottom Line
There we have it! You’ve finally made it to the end of our guide.
Now that you have taken the time to read through all of the above, we hope that we have been able to provide some inspiration on what jobs are available for 14 year olds to try out for themselves.
From jobs ideal for earning some pocket money for hanging out with friends, all the way to work experience placements ideal for getting a taste of what working life might be like within a chosen career path.
We hope that our list has been able to show you how much opportunity is out there for teenagers looking to gain some work experience…as well as some extra cash.
Still, just like we briefly touched upon above, getting a teenager’s job comes with its own challenges. However, by making sure that you also follow the tips and tricks we have provided you with above, you have a much better shot.
You should find that you gain a successful way to earn pocket money or work experience for the career you (or your teen) are interested in pursuing in adult life.
As a side note, before you click this guide, why don’t you consider giving this page a bookmark?
By saving this page, you will know exactly where to find us if you ever need to come back and refresh your knowledge on the best jobs suitable for 14 years olds (and teenagers in general). Thank you for reading, and good luck in the future!
As a current Mortgage Underwriter with 15 years of experience, I have seen my fair share of money-related issues. Whether that be high levels of debt, not enough credit, or simply a lack of funds - I’ve had clients who fit into these categories.
Here I will share tips, tricks, and experiences on how you can get yourself back in control of your finances.
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