Minnesota’s record low unemployment rate – and resulting super tight labor market – mean Minnesota teens have an abundance of job opportunities this summer. And many employers are paying higher wages than they were pre-pandemic. Plus, teens may be able to pick up more hours than they did before the pandemic.
As employers continue to build back to pre-pandemic employment levels, teen workers are likely to continue to have many opportunities because many of the types of jobs most in demand are the ones that young people are most likely to fill. These include jobs in the industries of Accommodations & Food Services (like restaurants and resorts), Art, Entertainment & Recreation (like amusement parks and movie theatres), and Retail Trade (like grocery stories and big box retailers).
Minnesota teen employees earned a median hourly wage of $12.84 per hour and worked a median of 110 hours over the quarter during second quarter 2021 (the latest time period for which such data is available), or approximately 27 hours per week. Both these hourly earnings and hours worked are at the highest recorded since tracking of this data began in 2003!
Tips for Teen Job Seekers
- You'll likely need to fill out an online or paper application form for jobs you are interested in, but it can still be helpful to put together a one-page resume, so you have all the information you need for an application in one place.
A resume should include:
- How to contact you
- Any jobs you've had – including babysitting, lawnmowing or other such work for family and neighbors – and what months or years you did that job
- Your volunteer experience
- Where you go to school or your school history
Make sure to proofread your resume for spelling or grammatical errors and have someone else review it to give you feedback on what you could improve.
- Want more assistance preparing for your job search? You can get free help by contacting staff at a CareerForce location near you.
- Before you apply for a job, try to find out if you meet minimum age qualifications for the job. Getting this clarified up front will save you lots of time in completing applications for jobs you won't be hired for until you are older. Some employers won't hire young people under 16.
- Create a list of one to three people who know you and who can provide a reference – in other words someone who could say why you would be a good fit for the employer. If possible, the list should include someone for whom you've worked or volunteered. Teachers and sports coaches also make great references. Your reference list should have each person's first and last name plus an email address and/or phone number. Make sure you have each reference person's permission to use them as a reference before your share their information with employers!
- Do your research on the business to which you are applying so that you know what they sell, make or provide and so that you have some idea of what your role might be or how you could contribute. Also, if possible, see how people are dressed on the job and dress that way for the interview to show that you will fit in.
- Lots of teen jobs are located away from public transportation lines so it can be hard to find work if you don't have access to a car or someone who can drive you. Think about your options that you could walk or bike to or that are on public transportation lines.
- Go to https://www.careerforcemn.com/job-search to search for job openings, ask family and friends if they know of companies that are hiring and look for help wanted signs in your neighborhood and other places you often go.
- Be persistent. Apply for lots of jobs. Almost no one gets the first, second or third job they apply for. Keep trying. You can ask employers who turned you down to give you feedback. They may (or may not), and it may be helpful (or not), but it is worth asking and shows that you're serious about finding a job.
- When you land an interview, let the employer know that you are reliable, show up to work on time, every day, ready to work and that you are eager to learn. Make sure to ask when and how you'll find out if you've been hired.
- What if you get multiple job offers? If you get multiple job offers here are a couple of things to think about before making your selection: Does each of the places that made a job offer seem like a good place to work? Will you learn anything new at any of them? Which will look best on your resume in the future? Which is the easiest to get to and from via public transportation or the person giving you ride? Which job pays the most and is there any room for negotiating wage? It doesn't hurt to ask and the employer might say yes.
Check out the entire article titled Youth Summer Employment Update: Many Opportunities for Young People Now in Minnesota Employment Review
