There are many companies, websites, and programs out there that offer volunteer opportunities and activities for people under the age of 16. Even if you will not get paid, these opportunities will provide you with experience to add to your resume or future job applications. Not only that, but you will have fun in the process and will be giving something back to your community!

The following opportunities are only a few of the many resources out there to help you get started in your quest for employment:

The American Red Cross

The American Red Cross is an organization that is committed to saving lives and easing suffering. It dedicates most of itself to providing relief to disaster victims, both locally and globally. The Red Cross also strives to educate the public by giving health and safety training. They offer many youth services for young teens to get involved with. Visit American Red Cross, and search through the information on the left of the page. With your help and compassion, you can help the American Red Cross succeed!

The Y

The Y (YMCA) is the nation’s leading not-for-profit community service organization that helps bring people of every age, race, ability, and faith together. Every Y is different and offers programs that range from swimming lessons to teen leadership clubs. Being a Y volunteer means you might be helping with child care, keeping the facility clean, assisting with coaching, etc. Go to www.ymca.net and enter your zip code to find the Y.M.C.A. nearest to you. Give them a call and see what you can do to volunteer!

Goodwill

Goodwill gets many donations every day to their individual retail locations. They have thousands of retail stores nationwide that love for people from the community to lend a hand and volunteer. Visit www.goodwill.org and enter your zip code to find the Goodwill nearest to you. Call and see what volunteer opportunities they have available!

The United Way

The United Way is one of the nation’s largest community service organizations. It works hard to bring people together to make a difference in their communities. Volunteering your time and skills to help your community through United Way can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Go to liveunited.org, click “Volunteer – Lend your muscle”, and enter in your zip code. Contact your local United Way for details on the volunteer opportunities. Help your community and have fun while doing it!

Network for Good

Network for Good is a web based non profit organization that is dedicated to helping people get more involved with their communities, mainly through volunteer work. Network for Good offers many opportunities for those interested. Go to networkforgood.org, and click on the ‘volunteer’ tab.

Youth Noise

Youth noise is a partner of Network For Good. They offer you a chance to take action in the issues that you care about. Visit www.youthnoise.com for more information on how you can help be a voice for your generation.

Youth Service America

Youth Service America is dedicated to providing you with great volunteer opportunities that will better you and the world around you, whether it be locally or globally. YSA has many youth oriented programs, volunteer possibilities, grant opportunities, and more. Go to ysa.org and enter your zip code into the search box. Start volunteering today!

Youth Programs and Volunteer Opportunities originated from HourlyCareers.com; where you'll find the best part-time jobs now hiring in your area.

Although you are ready to get out into the working world, there are a few things you must read over and consider if you are under the age of 16. There are federal laws, as well as state laws that explain what you are able to do and not do.

The federal laws that apply to teenagers who want to work are as follows:

Children age 13 or under cannot work at a non-agricultural job.

14 and 15 year-olds can work:

• After 7 a.m. and until 7 p.m. — outside of school hours. (Hours are extended to 9 p.m. from June through Labor Day.)
• Up to three hours on a school day.
• Up to 18 hours during a school week.
• Up to eight hours on a non-school day.
• Up to 40 hours during a non-school week.

Jobs that teenagers can perform:

• 13 year-olds can baby-sit, deliver newspapers, work as an actor or performer.
• 14 and 15 year-olds may work in a variety of jobs, including those located in offices, grocery stores, retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters, amusement parks and gasoline service stations. However, they are prohibited from working in jobs declared hazardous by the secretary of labor.
• 16 and 17 year-olds can work in any job that hasn’t been declared hazardous. (There are 17 hazardous jobs that young workers under the age of 18 are prohibited from doing. To find out what these are, visit www.youthrules.dol.gov.)
• Once someone reaches 18, he/she is no longer subject to the federal youth employment laws.

In addition, each state has Labor Laws that employers must follow. These laws regulate things such as child labor and the amount of hours and type of work younger job seekers can do. Employers have a harder time hiring younger job seekers due to these hour restrictions. This does not, however, mean that employers will not hire you. Some will hire you if you have a work permit and can be flexible in the hours you can work. The best way to get a work permit is to speak with your school counselor. They should be able to either give you one or lead you in the right direction to obtaining one. Good luck in your search for teen jobs!

Jobs for Teens Under the Age of 16 originated from HourlyCareers.com; where you'll find the best part-time jobs now hiring in your area.

Here are some tips to help you begin your job search. Be sure to read our other teen job tips in this section to learn more about finding your first job and getting work experience when you have none.

Get help. Many resources exist to help you in finding the type of job you might like. Before starting your job search, talk with someone in your school guidance office. Ask your parents and other family members, teachers, coaches, friends and their parents to let you know the kinds of jobs that are available to teens and what to expect.

Use the Internet and social media. Use the Internet to research the kinds of jobs available to teens, to learn more about companies that are hiring, and to understand laws and regulations governing teenage workers.

Do your homework. Most companies are legitimate and many part-time and starter jobs are great for teens. But there are exceptions. Before you accept a job offer, learn as much as possible about the hiring company. Research it on the Internet and ask friends and relatives what they know about it. The Better Business Bureau and your local chamber of commerce are also good resources.

Look your best. Nothing beats great personal appearance when you’re interviewing for a job. When you get invited for an interview, remember to dress appropriately and to talk about the information on your profile. Use good manners, demonstrate a good attitude and make eye contact.

Be flexible. If you are willing to work off-hours or to accommodate other reasonable requests by employers, then you are more likely to be hired than the person who has a list of restrictions. Remember that jobs for teens aren’t permanent. Your primary goal is to get a job. Don’t expect a perfect situation your first time out.

Soak up information. Use the job-search process as a way to discover the kind of work you like to do, the kind of place you would like to work and the types of jobs you’re not interested in. While you might not get your ideal job right away, it helps to know your likes and dislikes for future reference. Consider each application as an opportunity to get more job-seeking experience under your belt.

Stick with it. Don’t give up if you can’t find a job right away. Job searches take persistence and patience. It’s important to keep trying; a potential employer will notice if you have the determination and the drive to find a job. Apply for as many jobs as possible and remember to follow up with a thank-you phone call or e-mail shortly after you interview.

Job Tips for Teenagers: How to Get A Job originated from HourlyCareers.com; where you'll find the best part-time jobs now hiring in your area.

These job tips will help you find the best possible first-time job given your age and lack of work experience:

Know what you’re getting into. It’s important to have realistic expectations about your first job. After all, you are just entering a job market in which many others have been operating for quite some time. Don’t get discouraged, but know what to expect. Talk with a school guidance counselor, your parents or others who have been there. They can provide valuable insight into the reality of the working world. Be prepared with a list of questions so you get the kind of information you need to find your first job.

Prepare yourself. Before looking for a job, learn everything you can about the job search process. HourlyCareers.com has lots of job resources to help you. The Internet is a treasure-trove of information about job hunting, labor laws for teenagers and information about companies. Also, learn how to fill out a job application, prepare a profile and interview for a job.

Spread the word. Many jobs come through referrals from people you know, so it’s important to let everyone know you’re looking for a job. This is where your parents and their friends, teachers, coaches and other adults can be a great resource. Be sure to mention the kind of work you’d like to do, but don’t turn down an opportunity just because it’s not the perfect job. It might lead to the job you really want!

Work to gain experience. Sometimes a job might not be exactly what you’re looking for, but it puts you in contact with people or organizations that might help you in the future. For example, working as an office clerk might not be the most exciting first job, but it might enable you to shadow someone in a job that interests you. Also, don’t be too quick to turn down a volunteer position in your first job. Sometimes the best compensation is experience or access – and future employers look at any work experience as valuable.

Consider your options. Especially in looking for your first job, don’t limit yourself to your dream job or to the first job that comes along. Broaden your thinking to include as many options as possible. Start with your interests and consider all the possibilities. If you like working with animals, jobs might include working at a zoo, an animal shelter or a veterinarian. But what about providing a dog-walking service or taking care of pets while their owners are on vacation? If you like working with computers, you might not get hands-on experience in your first job, but what about a position that gives you access to IT professionals or helps you learn the latest software?

Other options include:

Retail jobs
Cashier jobs
Customer Service jobs
Restaurant Jobs (from greeting to clean-up)

Teens: How to Get Your First Job originated from HourlyCareers.com; where you'll find the best part-time jobs now hiring in your area.

Working can be a great experience for most people if you go in with a good attitude you will probably not only come out with a few extra bucks in your pocket but some new knowledge and some new friends. Whether it be cooking at a restaurant or filing papers at an office you will learn valuable lessons that will stick with you for the rest of your life. Remember if they’re hiring you, there probably hiring other kids about the same age, so you will probably get to meet some new faces or work with some familiar ones.

You should always check with some current employees about how they like their job or even call your local business bureau to find out if any complaints have been filed on your employer. And check out your labor laws so you know your rights. We wish you the best successes in finding a great summer job!

Summers Just Around The Corner, Where’s Your Job? originated from HourlyCareers.com; where you'll find the best part-time jobs now hiring in your area.

There may be a few of you who want a part-time teen job just for the fame, but most likely you’re looking to make a few extra bucks for new clothes, a car or something else you want. Here are a few of the highest-paying jobs for teens that will pad your bank account in a hurry.

Babysitting

Why it pays more than other teen jobs

If you’re responsible, comfortable with children and don’t mind playing hide-and-seek for hours, babysitting could be the right job for you. It usually involves long hours and hard work, but parents are willing to pay big bucks for hours of child-free time, especially overnight.

How to get the job

Parents are more likely to trust their children with you if they know you personally, so start by offering your services to family members and neighbors. Have your parents pass the word along to their friends and coworkers, too. Boost your credibility by taking a class in childcare and learning CPR and first aid for even better pay.

Lawn care or landscaping

Why it pays more than other teen jobs

Manual labor isn’t all that much fun for most people. But if you love the outdoors and don’t mind breaking a sweat, you can work that to your advantage. Homeowners are happy to write a check to avoid an hour or more pushing a lawn mower around the yard.

How to get the job

All you need is a lawn mower, an edger and time in the afternoons to do this teen job. Chances are, your parents already have the equipment. Start searching for customers by asking your neighbors and posting signs. When others see the good job you’re doing, they’ll come calling.

Waiting tables

Why it pays more than other teen jobs

The base pay for this popular teen job is pretty darn low, but the tips can bring your income up—way up. Waiting jobs requires working nights and weekends and having good listening and customer service skills. But the great thing about this job for teens is that the better you are, the bigger the tips from happy customers.

How to get the job

When applying for wait staff jobs for teens, try upscale restaurants with more expensive menus and plenty of clientele, which means bigger tips more often.

Skill-based freelance jobs

Why these pay more than other teen jobs

Whether you’re a talented writer, computer wizard or skilled photographer, freelance work offers flexibility and – if you get enough work – pays much more than working the cash register at the local fast food joint. You have the advantage of setting your own prices, too.

How to get the job

Offer your talents to family, friends and local businesses that might have a need for your services. Word of mouth is the best way to get business, so be sure to ask your clients to recommend you to others.

Under 18? Apply for jobs for teens on SnagAJob.com

High Paying Jobs for Teens originated from HourlyCareers.com; where you'll find the best part-time jobs now hiring in your area.

What do you do if you need a resume and all you have for your work history is a string of part-time summer or student jobs? Writing “May 2011-August 2011: Sandwich maker” isn’t going to help you get a law firm internship.

But don’t leave student jobs and other short-term work experience off your resume!

The trick is knowing how to describe your past hourly jobs in a way that emphasizes the skills you learned. Not your provolone-slicing skills – your communication skills, interpersonal skills and analytical skills. That’s what employers are looking for.

How to turn your student job experience into a killer resume

When preparing to write your student/ first job resume, take as much time as you need and make certain that you make a detailed and thorough account of all your professional activities to date, even the ones you may consider unimportant. These activities may include:

• part-time jobs while you were studying,
• events from your college years,
• such as short-term projects,
• periods of in-service training,
• research projects in which you have participated,
• term papers or documents you have prepared,
• presentations made at seminars, workshops, or other meetings.

You should identify skills you acquired by your participation in these experiences and label those skills according to the skills headings used in help wanted ads and job descriptions; in other words, you have to translate your duties into the headings of the corresponding jargon on your student resume.

You should also look for anything that might be acceptable as experience and emphasize it. Besides education, this might include volunteer work, training, military experience, or anything else that you can present as legitimate activities that support your ability to do the work that you feel you can do.

By following the recommendations above, your resume will stand out from the other students that have just entered the workforce and are unable to communicate their past experiences into a killer resume.

Resume Tips- How to Hype Your Student Job originated from HourlyCareers.com; where you'll find the best part-time jobs now hiring in your area.

According to The Detroit News, the tight job market is hitting local teens especially hard. Officials say teen unemployment in Michigan is expected to hit 28% this summer, up 2.7% from last year. Teens looking for jobs in Detroit now also have to contend with adults who are taking jobs traditionally held by teenagers. The reason? Michigan’s unemployment rate hit a staggering 14.1% in May, the highest unemployment rate in the nation, and older and more experienced workers are forced to search for hourly jobs.

So how are teens supposed to compete for the available jobs in Michigan?

Search for jobs high and low
Let friends and family know that you need a job and make sure to check job boards like SnagAJob.com on a regular basis.

Be flexible in your Job Search
Be willing to take a job that someone older might not want. Think outdoor jobs, jobs with weird hours, and seasonal jobs.

Be thorough in your Search for Jobs
Make sure your job applications are complete and have been checked for spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. Don’t be afraid to go the extra mile and include a cover letter and references.

With a little luck and a lot of hard work, teens can snag a great summer job in Detroit or wherever they happen to live.

Find your summer job in Michigan now.

Teens Struggling to Find Jobs in Detroit originated from HourlyCareers.com; where you'll find the best part-time jobs now hiring in your area.

Teens still on the hunt for a part-time summer job are facing some stiff competition. According to a new report put out by ABC News, the poor economy means that teens are now competing with experienced adults for summer jobs. And the adults are getting them. Already, teens who have jobs are reporting that they’re working with more adults and former retirees.

Recently in Daytona Beach, Florida, over 160 people showed up to apply for 50 lifeguard positions. In past years the average age of a lifeguard applicant was 17. This year, some of the applicants were well into their 40s.

So what’s a teen to do? You may not be able to compete with the experience of a 40-year-old, but there are certain things you can do to give yourself a competitive edge.

Be open to change.

Adults with families tend to want to work early shifts. Some may just want to be home for dinner, but others may be forced to work day shifts because of childcare issues. If you’re willing to work a later shift or less desirable hours you may be more likely to get the job. Make sure you let the employer know from the beginning that you are flexible in order to help your chances.

Work for tips.

Many adults have a family to support. They may have car payments, mortgage payments and credit card payments to contend with. They’ll be looking for jobs that pay well and pay by the hour so that they have a guaranteed income. Waiting tables, delivering pizza or any other job that pays in tips isn’t going to be secure enough for a person who has a lot of bills. Finding hourly jobs that the adults don’t want will weed out the tough competition quickly.

Think seasonal.

You will be going back to school in the fall and won’t need a job anymore.  Adults will. They’ll still have bills to pay long after classes begin. This makes seasonal jobs less attractive to adults. Look for places like amusement parks, outdoor pools and other summer attractions.

Be better.

Sadly, there are adults who overlook one of the most important things: making sure your application, resume and cover letter are perfect. Not just good. Perfect. Frequently we see silly typos on adults’ applications and we know that employers absolutely hate that. They will throw your application straight in the trash if you make a lot of mistakes. Take your time, double-check for errors and have someone else look it over before you apply. Being better than your competition is one sure way to land the summer job you’ve been dreaming of.

Teen Summer Job Hunt originated from HourlyCareers.com; where you'll find the best part-time jobs now hiring in your area.