18 year old - how to get first job?

[Anonymous]

You shouldn’t be going in to stores with her. That is a big red flag for employers.

[Anonymous]

She needs to find places where people her age are already working. For example, the big chain grocery store near us has unionized employees and primarily adults who work there as a career. The small, local chain grocery store has lots of high school and college kids working in specific positions.

If she's comfortable in the water, she should get her lifeguard certification now. Many certification programs are quick and start in February or March so employers have time to hire for the summer. If she maintains her certification, it's transferable most places as long as they accept Red Cross training, and it's a great, flexible on-campus job and is always in demand. The bonus for it as a campus job is that it isn't one of the "good" jobs that is reserved for work-study.

If none of that is an option, she should investigate local swim and country clubs that run summer kids' programs for their members- ours is always desperate for HS-aged day camp employees because many want to take lifeguard/swim lesson jobs first since they pay more.

Summer nannies who can drive are in high demand near me and I would be thrilled to find someone who is committed and could start a few hours a week this spring as a trial.

Start babysitting or dog walking, too, just to have an employer reference or two in her back pocket for the future.