JOB APPLICATIONS: A GUIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL AND BEYOND

By Matthew Rinaldi, 2028

Published 10/08/25

As many of us enter our latter years of high school, our yearning for a way to make money or get a job will undoubtedly increase, but— where to start? Job applications come in many forms, and there truly isn’t one correct way to approach applying for a job. After all, different businesses and organizations all have different criteria and strictness, so it is important to first do some research on the jobs you hope to apply for. Applying for a job at a young age can be a puzzling and daunting task, but with a few simple steps and key tips, there is nothing that can stop you from getting the job and racking in that much-needed cash.

First off, it is important to take your age into consideration. As many of us in high school stand on a fine line between the appropriate age for employment, which is typically 16, it is important to make sure that you are eligible for the job you are looking to apply for. Although some jobs may hire younger than 16, such as farms or family businesses, your chances of getting a job are much higher once you reach that age. 

There are many different ways to approach applying for a job, but it is important that you are prepared. Although some workplaces don’t require a resume for application, having one that you can provide for your employer can help you stand out from other applicants. Your resume is essentially a document that flexes your accomplishments and lets your employers know why they should hire you. Resumes should include information about past jobs, community service, skills, strengths, leadership positions, educational information, or anything else you find fit to share with the employer to show them that you are worthy of the job.

Once you have a resume, it’s time to actually start job searching, which can be done in many different ways. A more simple option would be to go into the store, office, etc. that you wish to apply to and request a job application. Many jobs that are hiring tend to have signs outside of their office, but it never hurts to speak to a manager even if they aren’t explicitly saying that they are hiring workers. Upon receiving a job application and filling it out, return to the workplace to hand it in and wait for a response from the company. Oftentimes the person who is hiring will try to contact you electronically, and will either hire you on the spot or request to schedule an interview. If an interview is requested, make sure to dress properly and act professionally when speaking to the interviewer. Showing confidence and strong communication skills will definitely help persuade the interviewer to hire you.

There are also other ways for a job in modern times, the most efficient way being online. You can apply for jobs and stay updated on job openings on various websites, such as Indeed, that allow you to submit resumes and applications electronically. When applying for jobs, it is important to apply for many different positions, especially in the earlier stages of job-searching. It’s smart to have many different options to fall back on if one job does not work for you, and can also give you multiple options to choose from, without binding you to a specific job or forcing you to repeat the whole job application process if one job does not work out. 

Although applying for jobs may seem like an impossible task as a high schooler, there are many opportunities at your fingertips. It is important to take advantage of any opportunities that may pop up, even if it is not something that necessarily interests you. After all, any job experience can help build up your resume that is most likely empty in the job experience section. Overall, having good communication skills, a standard resume, and willingness to approach workplaces with open-mindedness, the job application process will be much easier than it appears on surface level.