Jobs For 14-Year-Olds
It can be hard to get a job when you're, say, fourteen (and younger than most people are willing to hire). You can't drive, and some fourteen-year-olds aren't even in high school yet. So what can you do besides babysit and offer to mow people's lawns?
Landscaping
Well, if you happen to like mowing lawns, you could look into local landscaping businesses. Many landscapers are freelance and are looking to hire a small crew. Because these guys are independent and often haven't professionally registered their businesses, they can hire whomever they wish-regardless of age. And with all the things that landscapers do, your duties could be anything from rototilling or Weedeating to spreading bark mulch and spraying insecticide. Plus, your work hours will likely be much more with these kinds of businesses than if you were to try finding unkempt lawns on your own. Related outdoor tasks include cleaning windows, washing cars, spraying bees' or hornets' nests under house awnings, or watering flowers for people in the neighborhood.
Neighborhood Tasks
However, if you'd rather do something a little less grungy, you might consider housekeeping, seeing if someone will pay you to distribute flyers door-to-door for events or personal businesses or garage sales, painting fences, tending gardens, and so forth. Becoming the designated neighborhood dog-walker could also generate a decent amount of money for a fourteen-year-old, and so could delivering newspapers. And speaking of newspapers, look for ads requesting help with personal projects. Or offer to tutor younger children in subjects where you have excelled at school, and make arrangements with their parents. If you have a specific trip or group activity in mind for which you need a larger amount of money, try to organize a car wash or a bake sale.
Regular Jobs
But don't think being fourteen will stop you from getting regular jobs. Many states allow fourteen-year-olds to work at gas stations, movie theaters, and restaurants, as well as in amusement parks, retail stores, and lodging facilities. As long as the work environment is relatively safe and doesn't violate any regulations for your age group (smoke-free, alcohol-free, etc.) most laws will accommodate your age. Find out what the rules are for where you live, and use them to your advantage. Also, knowing the laws and regulations can be impressive to potential employers, and so can asking questions to show that you're interested in doing the job thoroughly and correctly.
Be aware, though, that even if businesses are allowed to hire you, they may still consider your age to be a negative factor, so be sure to show that you are professional, and play up all your best features. Ask to speak with the manager, deliver your application in person, give specific references (especially if friends or family members currently work or have previously worked for the employer and can verify your qualifications), and present yourself well.
If you've had any volunteer experience relating to the job for which you are applying, indicate it on a resume. If odd jobs in your community have taught you specific skills or helped you to develop pertinent abilities, indicate those as well. Show employers how your youth can be both valuable and beneficial to their business. Don't be intimidated by the age differences of potential co-workers.