Guides & Resources
Practical help for getting a first job and doing it well: our own First Job Guides, plus official state and federal resources worth knowing about.
Written by Fun First Jobs
First Job Guides
Step-by-step help with finding a first job, writing a résumé when you haven’t had a job yet, interviews, workplace skills and spotting job scams.
- Holiday and Seasonal Retail Jobs: A First-Timer’s Guide Summer & Seasonal Jobs
- How to Follow Up After Applying for Your First Job Resumes & Applications
- How to Find Your First Job: A Practical Place to Start Finding Your First Job
Official links
State Job Resources
Choose a state to find its youth employment rules, labor office and free help finding a job or training, all from government sources.
Worker rights & safety
Official places to learn your rights, stay safe and get help if something goes wrong at work.
YouthRules! (official site, opens in a new tab)
U.S. Department of Labor
The federal rules on how many hours workers under 18 can work and which jobs they can do, with links to each state’s rules.
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Young Workers (official site, opens in a new tab)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Your right to a safe workplace, common hazards in teen jobs and how to speak up about a safety problem.
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Youth@Work (official site, opens in a new tab)
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
What to do if you face discrimination or harassment at work, explained for young workers.
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Job Scams (official site, opens in a new tab)
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
How to recognize a fake job offer before you share personal information or money, and where to report one.
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How to file a wage complaint (official site, opens in a new tab)
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division
What to do if you weren’t paid correctly for the hours you worked.
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Career & training tools
Free, government-supported tools for exploring careers, finding training and getting help in person.
GetMyFuture (official site, opens in a new tab)
CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor
Career exploration, training and job-search tools built for ages 14 to 24.
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American Job Center Finder (official site, opens in a new tab)
CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor
Find a center near you for free, in-person help with job searches, résumés and training.
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My Next Move (official site, opens in a new tab)
U.S. Department of Labor
Answer a short interest quiz, then explore careers that match what you like to do.
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Apprenticeship Finder (official site, opens in a new tab)
Apprenticeship.gov, U.S. Department of Labor
Search paid apprenticeships, where you earn money while you learn a skilled trade or career. Programs set their own age and education requirements.
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Job Corps (official site, opens in a new tab)
U.S. Department of Labor
An official, free education and career-training program from the U.S. Department of Labor for young people ages 16 through 24 who meet its eligibility requirements. Not everyone qualifies, and openings and programs vary by center.
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Find a job on Fun First Jobs
Search current openings that welcome first-time workers, from pools and camps to stores and parks.
Or browse a category:
Links marked with an arrow open official sites in a new tab and show the date we last checked them. Fun First Jobs doesn’t run those sites; their information is the authority.