Youth Ages 14-17
Balancing school and work can be difficult. Find information that will make it easy for you to find out where to go for working papers, safety and health on the job, and filling out job applications and resumes while giving you the time to focus on your studies.
Working Papers
Working papers serve as your official employment certificate. Working papers were established to make sure businesses do not work you too many hours while you are in school and in the summer as well.
You will need working papers if you are under 18 years old. Working papers are divided into two age groups (14-15 and 16-17):Find out how to get working papers and what you will need to get them.
Identification
Today, most businesses require identification from you before you can apply for a job. Below is information on how to obtain important documents if you do not have them.
- If you have lost your social security card, you can replace it
- If you don't have a license, but need photo identification you can get a New York State Non-Drive Photo ID card
- Birth Certificate requests for New York residents (outside NYC)
- Birth Certificate requests for New York City residents
Keeping You Safe in the Workplace
Job Duties
As a young person you are allowed to do most job duties. However, there are some limits as to what you can do. Go to New York State Department of Labor Occupation Limits for job duties you cannot do on the job.
Hours You Can Work
When in School
- 3 hours on school days
- 8 hours on non-school days (most likely Saturday and Sunday)
- 4 hours on Monday-Thursday
- 8 hours on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Holidays
When School is Not in Session
Age | Maximum Daily Work Hours | Maximum Weekly Work Hours | Maximum Number Of Days Worked Per Week | Work Times |
14-15 | 8 hours | 40 hours | 6 days | 7am to 9pm (June 21 to Labor Day) |
16-17 | 8 hours | 48 hours | 6 days | 6am to Midnight |
When You are Not Attending School
Age | Maximum Daily Work Hours | Maximum Weekly Work Hours | Maximum Number Of Days Worked Per Week | Work Times |
16-17 | 8 hours | 48 hours | 6 days | 6am to Midnight |
Health and Wellness
Trying to balance school, homework, work? - Since there are many things going on in your life, it is important to keep yourself healthy and maintain a daily balanced routine. Below is information that provides tips on dealing with stress, staying healthy, and balancing your life now and in the future.
- Stress Management - Are you feeling bogged down with homework, sports, applications? This link provides you with tips to decrease stress.
- Food for Thought - Tired in the AM? Can't make it through that next class? Find out how a balanced diet can help you stay alert and energized throughout your day to keep your mind and body focused.
Ready, Set, Go
Dress for Success: Learn How to Leave a Lasting Impression
- Not sure what to wear to your interview? – The way you dress for an interview can leave a lasting impression with a business/organization. Below are some helpful resources to help you prepare for your big day.
- How to Dress for an Interview - Provides information on what you should and should not bring to a job interview
- Make a Lasting Impression - Help a business remember you after you leave the interview
- How to Tie-a-Tie - Time for the interview and your tie is not tied! Watch videos that provide step-by-step directions on how to tie a tie
Interview Tips: Know What to Say Before They Ask!
- Need help preparing for your interview? - Interview questions can be stressful if you’re not prepared. The resources below provide suggestions while on an interview to help you get the job.
- FIND THE CAREER YOU LOVE, Interviewing - Tips on what do while you are in the interview
- Getting the Interview - Provides information on how you can land job interviews
- Preparing for the Interview - Extracurricular activities? Leadership skills? Learn what to highlight about yourself on the interview
Your Digital Identity Matters
What is Social Networking? - Whether it is sending an email or driving on a highway, linking people and places is an everyday occurrence. Social networks are how people connect with each other whether it's through text messaging, Facebook, or the lunch table. Social networks connect you to people who could help you find jobs, provide you with resources to find a job or direct you to their social network. Check out this YouTube video on social networking. Below are other resources to help you understand social networking and the importance of your digital identity.
Keep Your Digital-Self Professional - Remember that your social networks connect you to hundreds and thousands of people across the country and world. Here are some tips on how to make your social networks work for you:
- Use a formal email address on your resume. It is recommended that you use some form of your name so that a business will remember who you are.
- Ringback and voicemail messages on your cell phone may sound good to you and your friends, but employers may not call you back because of it. Just have a simple voicemail message with your name and phone number.
- Have you ever "Googled" yourself? After a business enters your name into a search engine, they evaluate you based on your Social Network profile (e.g. facebook, Twitter)
So Why Should I Belong to Social Networks? - Social networks can still be fun, but use them to your advantage. Many companies and organizations use social networks to find or attract candidates. Below are a few tips about your social network online accounts:
- Create two different accounts: one that's private for friends and family, then a professional account searchable by employers.
- Learn how to change your privacy settings, and who can and cannot view your profile.
- Facebook Privacy Settings
- Instagram Privacy Settings
- LinkedIn Privacy Settings
- Twitter Privacy Settings
Showing Off Your Skills
Are you a good leader? Are you a team player and dependable? Employers are looking for these kinds of qualities in their employees. Find out more below on how to stand out to a potential employer.
- Everyone has Skills - Visit the CareerZone Portfolio Job Readiness Skills Module to find out which skills you can add to your resume from your previous work, volunteer, or extracurricular experiences. Make sure to create a Portfolio account or sign into your Portfolio account if you’ve already created one to access the Job Readiness Skills Module.
- Get the Competitive Edge with Soft Skills - Businesses are looking for people with soft skills (good communication, a strong work ethic, and many other skills). Find out how you can gain soft skills today!
Find a Job
Not sure where to find the job you want now? The links below are just some job search websites that can help with finding a job that's a match for you!
Volunteering and Internships
Volunteering and internships help you stand out to a business, while making you and someone else feel good. These experiences can help you add to your resume.
- New Yorkers Volunteer
- Youth Serve America
- DoSomething.org
- The Volunteer Center of United Way
- Internships.com
- Idealist.org
- Student Conservation Association
Build Your Future
Start Your Plan - Explore your strengths, skills and talents with a no-cost, career plan portfolio account at CareerZone . Learn more about what you may be interested with the following CareerZone features:
- CareerZone Assess Yourself Tools - Use this tool to discover what occupations you may be interested in
- CareerZone Portfolio - Save your work and volunteer experiences
Budgeting - Whether you earn an allowance from your parent/guardian or a paycheck from a job, creating a budget can help you plan for the future. Below are some tools to help you create and keep a budget.
- Dollars and Sense Budgeting Tool - This tool in CareerZone can help you create a budget around an occupation or based on life choices
- On the Money - Provides information on opening a bank account, credit card and a savings calculator
- Five Budgeting Tips - Not sure how to budget or what makes up a budget? Here is a link with tips to help when making a budget
Preparation for College - If college is going to be a part of your career planning process, there are many steps you can take while you are researching and deciding which college you would like. Below is information on preparation for college exams, as well as financial aid.
- Pre-Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) – Many colleges require you take the SAT as an entrance exam in order to attend. The PSAT is a practice exam that helps you prepare for the SAT. The links above provide information on what the SAT and PSAT are and how you can prepare and sign up for the exams.
- Financial Aid – It is important to know what financial aid you qualify for to help pay for college. A lot of people end up taking out more loans than they can afford and don’t realize how debt can impact the rest of their lives. It is also important to get financial aid information from trusted resources and websites. Below are some of these trusted websites to help you navigate through the financial aid process: