Career advice

The best summer jobs for teens

Summer is a great time for getting some work experience for teens. If you’re a teenager or have a teenager in your home, now would be an excellent time to get out there and find a summer job. It’s a little late in the season – ideally, you’ve got your summer job lined up by mid-late spring - but there are still plenty of available jobs out there, especially this year.

There is significant demand for workers in many sectors, and openings are plentiful. It’s a candidate’s market, meaning that it’s job seekers who can take their pick of employers and not the other way around. And teen participation in Canada’s labour market is down. According to the CBC, it peaked in 1989 at just over 59% and was also solid in 2008 at 56.5%, but it has since decreased and, in the first few months of 2022, was at 50.7%. For perspective, if teens were as likely to work today as they were in 2008, more than 100,000 more people would be working, says the CBC article.

And Global News reports that seasonal industries are struggling to find staff ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer, “as Canada’s rock-bottom unemployment rate and swelling job vacancies create an acute hiring crunch.” Among the sectors facing a hiring crunch are hospitality, retail, and recreation.

Why get a summer job?

Summer jobs have a lot of advantages. You get to earn your own money, learn to manage it, build some autonomy, and gain new skills and experience. Working for the summer is also a way to make new friends and connections.

Most seasonal jobs you'll get as a teen won't require much experience since teens don't usually have work experience. This is your opportunity to get some, so you have something to do to put on your resume when you're ready to hit the workforce after graduation.

10 of the best summer jobs for teens

Here are 10 of the best summer jobs for teens that require little to no experience.  

1. Camp counsellor

If you’re good with kids and love the outdoors, being a camp counsellor is a job for you. Make memories, learn and gain experience working with people and if you’re at a sleep-away camp, you get your room and food covered along with your wages.

Average pay: $14.78/hr

2. Landscaper

Landscapers mow lawns, pull weeds, maintain gardens, and plant bushes, flowers, and trees. At the more experienced end of the spectrum, it can mean designing entire gardens. Landscapers get to be outdoors and get sunshine and exercise. If you have a vehicle and own your own tools, starting your own business is one way to go about it. 

Average pay: $19.50/hr

3. Lifeguard

In this case, you will need to do some prep. Getting a job as a lifeguard requires NLS (National Lifeguard Service) certification and CPR and First Aid. You can work at local pools, resorts, and recreation centres, enjoy the sun, and put your skills to work.

Average pay: $17.60/hr

4. Restaurant service

The restaurant industry is in need of servers in many areas of the country. If you can take notes, smile, be friendly, and stay on top of your game to get things done quickly and efficiently, being a restaurant server is a great job. Part of your payment will likely be in tips, and the better you are, the more you can make.

Average pay: $12.48/hr (plus tips in many cases)

5. Grocery clerk

Grocery clerks greet customers and provide customer service, stock shelves, and display areas, and help keep things clean and running in the grocery store. You will have to work evening and weekend shifts and possibly overnight. And many jobs ask for workers who require "minimal supervision."

Average pay: $14.25/hr

6. Cashier

Cashiers work at grocery stores and retail stores. It’s a straightforward job where you can work on your people skills and ability to work under pressure. You should already have pretty good interpersonal skills and attention to detail for this job.

Average pay: $12.35/hr

7. Dog walker

Walking dogs is an amazing job for animal lovers who like to get outdoors and hang with furry friends. You'll also meet other dog people. Working on your own is an option, but you will want to look into liability insurance to protect yourself if anything goes wrong. Working with an existing company is one benefit, as they will probably already be insured. 

Average pay: $15.00/hr

8. Retail sales associate

Retail sales jobs are excellent opportunities for young people to work on their people skills and learn how to sell. You also need to clean and organize and may be involved in creating merchandising displays. Retail salespeople are often cashiers as well. There is often a commission on top of base pay, and a bonus to a retail sales job is that there are usually store discounts on store products for staff members.

Average pay: $13.67/hr

9. Mover

Movers need to have the strength and physical ability to lift things and climb stairs. You need to be able to take direction and, in some cases, drive a van.Listening and good communication skills are vital in keeping clients happy and getting the job done efficiently. Moving jobs are great exercise and the perfect opportunity to meet people.

Average pay: $17.47/hr

10. Babysitter/nanny

Babysitting is the classic job for teens and has been forever! You can enjoy time with kids, get outside, and take them places. Many kids are home with parents who are working and have no plans. That’s where you come in. You should absolutely take a course, know your first aid and CPR and know what to do in case of an emergency. 

Average pay: $13.02/hr

How to find a summer job

To find a summer job, start by looking at job boards and asking people in your network if they know of any positions that might suit you. Create a resume. Even with no experience, a resume is essential. Include your contact information, education, skills, and your hobbies and interests.

You’ll also need to write a cover letter. Particularly when you have no experience, a cover letter explaining why you would be a good hire and what you can bring to the company can help convince a hiring manager to bring you on board.

Send out your resume, and get going on the road to the perfect summer job!

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