List of Cool Jobs

List of Cool Jobs for Teens

LTK: What are some good jobs for teens that are old enough to work at real jobs?

Susan: If you're a "people person" and like being on the frontline, choose one from this list of cool jobs:

Customer Service

• Cashier
• Restaurant host or hostess
• Waitperson
• Counter attendant
• Fast food worker
• Retail salesperson
• Receptionist
• Hotel desk clerk
• Bank teller
• Gas station attendant

Support Staff

• Technical support
• Administrative assistant
• Junior administrative assistant
• Library assistant
• Dispatcher
• Mail clerk
• Messenger
• Maid
• Janitor
• Kitchen helper

Care Givers

• Babysitter or nanny
• Daycare assistant
• Home companion
• Nursing aide
• Camp counselor
• Swimming instructor
• Amusement park attendant
• Zookeeper's helper
• Kennel attendant
• Dog and cat groomer

Physically Demanding Jobs

• Landscape worker
• Groundskeeper
• Construction helper
• Deckhand on a fishing boat
• Warehouse person
• Recyclable material collector
• Car washer
• Bellhop
• Farm worker
• Mover

Skilled Workers

• Computer programmer
• Web site developer
• Graphic designer
• Word processor
• Data entry keyer
• Printing press operator
• Painter's helper
• Carpenter's helper
• Auto service technician
• Cook

Applying for Jobs

LTK: What things should a teen consider before they apply for a job?

Susan: Before you start hunting for a job, think about what kind of job you want. Of course you want one that will put some change (or big bills) in your pocket. What else could you get out of your job? Maybe one of more of the following:

1. A chance to work in a cool environment where you like your co-workers and customers. It'd be sweet to look forward to hanging out for hours at a stretch with people you like.
2. The opportunity to develop skills in a new field or increase the skills you already have.
3. Access to perks like cool company discounts or corporate sponsored scholarships.
4. Maybe some insights into a possible career down the road.

The Job Interview

LTK: Do you have any interview tips for teens that are new to interviewing?

Susan: Before your interview, practice how you'll answer questions the employer is likely to ask, and make a list of questions you want to ask about the job. For your job interview, dress one step up from what you would expect to wear normally on the job. Make a good impression by smiling, having good posture, making eye contact, and being friendly to everyone you meet at the job site (not just the person interviewing you). Avoid talking about pay until after you understand all that's involved with the job. After the interview, say "thank you" to the interviewer, as well as to those who ushered you in (such as the receptionist or security guard).

Start Your Own Business

LTK: What types of jobs can teens do to start their own business?

Susan: Here are some ideas of business that you could start, depending on your interests and abilities:

Helping Hand Job Ideas

• Dog walking service
• Non-medical home care for the elderly, disabled, or ill
• Baby-sitting service
• House sitting service
• Tutoring service
• Handyman or handywoman service
• Hauling service
• Gift buying and delivery service
• Food delivery service, representing one or more restaurants
• Service that prepares, freezes, and delivers a week's worth of homemade dinners to individuals' homes

Ideas for Organizers and Planners

• Party planner and event coordinator
• Small catering service for parties, private dinners, and receptions
• Grocery delivery service
• House cleaning service
• Car washing, waxing, and detailing service
• Door-to-door flyer distribution service
• Lawn, yard, and gardening service
• Recyclable materials pickup service
• Telephone wake-up service
• Home and commercial window washing service

Jobs for Techies and Artists

• Party disc jockey
• Photographer
• Site designer and developer
• Hardware or software consultant for installations, troubleshooting, and repairs
• Street curb house number painting service
• Face painter
• Word processing service
• Silkscreen service
• Sign painter
• TiVO, VCR, DVD programmer

Sales

• Manage a concession cart that sells food items in a busy part of town.
• Develop and distribute coupon booklets that represent local merchants.
• Door-to-door sales of a product you truly believe in.
• Deal in antiques. Buy inexpensive antiques at yard sales and resell them at antique auctions, flea markets, or antique malls.
• Use your artistic skill to make items (like jewelry, clothing, or leather goods) that can be sold to retail outlets.
• Organize yard sales (also called tag sales) to sell your own and other people's stuff.
• Sell ads on your Web site or blog.

Where to Find Teen Jobs

LTK: What are some good places for teens to look for jobs if they want to work for someone else?

Susan: Everywhere you go (including online); keep your eyes peeled for possibilities. You may walk by a storefront that has a "Help Wanted" sign. Look in the newspaper classified section. Ask your family and friends if they know of job openings. Check out job listings on some of the teen-oriented websites.

Be creative. You might get a job that wasn't advertised because you saw a need and thought of a way that YOU could fill it. For instance, you might see that the CDs at your local music store are always out of alphabetical order. Ask the manager if she'd like someone -- like you -- to keep stock in order so customers can find and BUY what they're looking for faster. You might find yourself with a nice part-time job that could lead to something bigger in the future.

About Susan Ireland

Susan Ireland is the author of three Complete Idiot’s Guides. As the owner of Susan Ireland Resumes, she has authored four books on writing resumes as well as being the creator of the Ready-Made Resumes & Cover Letters software. Susan is the head of a professional resume team that has served 1000’s of clients since 1989.