As teenagers, we want many things like the newest phone, cars to drive, and other cool and expensive gadgets. Unfortunately, all of those things cost money and not all parents are so willing to make those purchases. 

Having jobs as teenagers can be really beneficial. You learn responsibility, social skills, and even the most basic of life skills like sweeping floors or doing the dishes. Getting a job can be a fun experience overall. 

Fortunately, there is something that we can do…we can go out and get jobs. This may make some people feel nervous because they’ve never had a job before, but it’s not as hard as it seems. 

Your first step is to apply for jobs that you find interesting. Don’t apply for a position that you will hate. You want to be excited about going into work and not feel like you want to leave the second you walk in the door.

You also want to apply for a job that you know a lot about. It’s easier in the long run to get a job at a restaurant that you’ve eaten at multiple times so you can help customers who have never been.

Your second step is to make sure you have a great resume, even if you’ve never worked before. This is your chance to brag about yourself and let jobs know that you are exactly what they are looking for. Also, you want to manage your time properly and let them know when you are available so they don’t schedule you at an inconvenient time. 

You can even list the little things, like having leadership skills or being a team player. Just make sure you don’t write anything down that isn’t true to yourself and be sure to add any previous experience, if any, so they know all the work you’ve done. 

Once you’ve gotten that interview, it’s time to sell your personality and let your interviewer know that you should be the one they hire. Dress professionally so they can see just how responsible and serious you are and can be. 

This is the part that makes most people nervous because they want to make a good impression. Just remember to smile, speak clearly, and answer their questions to the best of your ability. 

Now that you’re a shoo-in for the job, you can take a deep breath, relax, and wait for them to offer you the position.