By. Juan Carrillo, Lola Mays, Wesley Lanham, Rhianna Ledbetter

Getting your first job is something all parents and guardians dread, but it’s also  something teenagers can’t wait for. Getting a job means you gain more responsibility and freedom, but there are so many questions one might have about picking that one special place to work: How much do they pay? How do I apply? What’s the work like? In this, we will be discussing answers to all of these questions, as well as some tips for that first day on the job! 

Some may say it is bad for teenagers to get a job because it could add stress to the ever changing balance of school and social life. Having to balance school, work, and other activities builds your resume and helps one to develop time management skills. Speaking of resumes, that might be one thing you need for that first job. Most places hiring highschool aged people don’t require a resume, but it might be wise to offer one to show previous credentials. Points that you can add to your resume include the sports you play, hobbies, or extracurriculars. Employers like to see what you have to offer, so having a resume can show them your character and teamwork skills. 

Applying for a job may sound daunting but it’s a lot easier than you would think. A lot of businesses have online applications that you can fill out by looking up the website or by typing certain keywords into your browser. For example, if you wanted to work at a pizza place in Jeffersonville, Indiana you could type, “Pizza place hiring in Jeffersonville, IN”. You can also ask for an application in person, just by asking an employee if their job is hiring; the worst they can say is no.

One location that is perfect for a first job is Chick-fil-A, typically they begin hiring at 16 years old. The Hyphen interviewed a tenth grader who goes to JHS about her experience working there. “I like my job most of the time, customers and co-workers can be exhausting and not worth it, but it can be said the same vice versa.” The pay may vary based on location, experience, and age. That is why we recommend asking your interviewer about wages like how often you will get paid and what your pay will be. A majority of employers pay every two weeks, but some pay once a week or by the shift as well. 

Another local employer is Stone Cold Creamery, an ice cream shop located near Kroger on Tenth Street. They hire aged 16 and up. We interviewed a few students who said the hours can be demanding at times, and would not recommend working there if you are focused on school but that doesn’t take away from the friendly environment. The employee also said “It’s chill and I love basically playing Papa’s Freezeria in real life.”

Other businesses hiring 16-year-olds around Jeffersonville are Kroger, Meijer, and Rural King. These are great options if you are looking for a retail position, and if you like talking to people and enjoy walking around this job might be for you. In most cases, you will be stocking shelves and helping people with their questions. Some days you might be in different departments or working the cash register. Their paying range is around $12-16 depending on the location.

Other things you will need to know while entering the workforce is how income taxes, state and federal, will affect your paychecks. It is also important to know your rights at your job to make sure you are not being taken advantage of by your employer. Depending on your age you can only work a certain amount of hours a week. Make sure to do your proper research about federal and state labor laws concerning minors before you get a job.

Getting a job is something that can bring responsibility to any teenager. It’s part of becoming who you are and shaping your life. It’s always necessary to make sure you’re going through the correct steps of applying for a job. It is also important to have someone who is experienced to check things over on your application like your grammar and spelling and the correct information you want to be known. We hope you take in consideration the considerable amount of jobs in our article and get inspired to try to make some money.