First job guide
You can show useful skills before you have a long work history. Start with the responsibilities you have handled and the kind of work you want to learn.
Build a simple starting application
- Choose a few roles that fit your location, availability, and the requirements in the posting.
- Describe relevant school projects, volunteering, activities, or other responsibilities. Explain what you did and what you learned.
- Ask teachers, volunteer supervisors, or other appropriate contacts before listing them as references. Check what the employer requests.
- Prepare examples of showing up reliably, learning a task, solving a problem, or helping another person.
- Read the original posting for minimum age, required credentials, duties, and application instructions.
Prepare your resume · Practice for an interview · Check for scam warning signs
Explore first-job resources
CareerOneStop GetMyFuture
Explore career, education, and job search tools for young adults, including ways to find local youth employment programs.
Free tools. Individual programs have their own eligibility requirements.
My Next Move
Explore occupations and interests to identify career directions worth investigating.
Free career exploration. An interest match is a starting point, not a hiring or training guarantee.
CareerOneStop American Job Center Finder
Search by location for employment assistance, including help with applications, resumes, and finding work.
Free directory and employment assistance. Contact the center to confirm services, hours, workshops, and upcoming hiring events.
Resource links open other websites. Providers manage their own content, accounts, costs, and privacy policies. Inclusion does not imply a partnership with Role Crawler.