4 Ways Teens Can Land Their First Job In A Tough Market

Here are tips for teens on how to find and secure your first job this summer. getty Teen summer job hiring is heading toward its weakest level in decades. Forecasts project roughly 790,000 teen jobs this summer, an all-time low, while teen employment in April 2026 already sits below last year’s level . For teens trying to land their first job, the traditional entry points like retail, restaurants, camps, and seasonal work aren’t as available. That's the reality. But the teens who understand what's actually happening in this market are the ones who will find a way through it.

4 Ways Teens Can Land Their First Job In A Tough Market. Here are tips for teens on how to find and secure your first job this summer. getty Teen summer job hiring is heading toward its weakest level in decades. Forecasts project roughly 790,000 teen jobs this summer, an all-time low, while teen employment in April 2026 already sits below last year’s level . For teens trying to land their first job, the traditional entry points like retail, restaurants, camps, and seasonal work aren’t as available. That's the reality. But the teens who understand what's actually happening in this market are the ones who will find a way through it. Landing your first job has never been just about sending in an application and waiting. In a market this tight, you need to think differently about where to look, how to present yourself, and what employers actu...