The Ultimate Summer Job Guide For 15 To 17-Year-Olds

By Zoë (they/she) whose first summer job was waiting tables in a Malaysian restaurant. 

School’s out for the summer. That means it’s time for sun, sand, and…. summer jobs! As well as earning yourself some cash, a summer job can be a great way to learn new skills, meet a bunch of new people, and figure out what kind of work you’d like to do in the future. But if you’re not sure how to even go about finding a job, what type of work you can do, or how much you should be earning per hour, then read on!

First off, it’s good to know that everyone starts somewhere. And that ‘somewhere’ is often a summer job. Beyoncé had a summer job in a hairdressers, sweeping up hair. The actor Tom Cruise had a paper round. So what’ll you choose? Well, the type of work you can do right now depends a little bit on whether or not you’ve already turned 16.

Summer jobs if you’re 15 years old

Some shops, such as Boots, do hire 15-year-olds but many others don’t. If you fancy working in a shop then it’s definitely worth asking independent retailers or cafes in your local area, but even if that’s a no-go you still have other options:

Odd jobs | Babysitting, running errands, cleaning cars, dog walking.
These types of jobs usually come from asking your neighbours, family friends, or people in your local community. One day you might be cleaning a neighbour’s car, the next you might be helping someone mow their lawn.

Pros: The hours are flexible and because you’re dealing with individuals you can negotiate your own wage. 
Cons: This type of work is often infrequent, so it can be tricky to earn a regular income each week. Plus, if you agree to walk someone’s dog at a certain time and then it chucks it down with rain, you still gotta head out there!

Creative | Blogging.
If you’re passionate about a certain subject and you enjoy writing or making videos, then you could start a blog. If it becomes popular, you’ll be able to earn money from reviewing products and showing adverts on your site.

Pros: You can do it from the comfort of your sofa. 
Cons: The success rate of earning money from your blog is pretty low. It can take a lottttt of effort, and often a fair bit of luck. Don’t be discouraged, but earning money from blogging is more of a long-term effort than a way to make a quick buck.

Summer jobs if you’re 16 or 17

Once you hit 16, the world of work opens up! Stores like Sainsbury's, JD Sports, and Starbucks all hire 16-year-olds over the summer.

Retail | Shop assistant. 
A typical shift could involve helping customers and answering their questions, directing them to what they’re looking for, and checking stock levels.

Pros: You’ll often get a staff discount. The hours are often flexible, and if you enjoy talking with lots of different people then this could be a great job for you.
Cons: Depending on the store, you might be on your feet all day long.

Restaurant or cafe | Waiting tables.
In a typical shift, you might be showing people to their table, giving them a menu, taking their order, serving food and drinks, and clearing plates.

Pros: You’ll often get a free meal at the end of your shift (so choose somewhere where you like the food). Depending on the type of restaurant, you might also receive a share of the tips. 
Cons: If the restaurant or cafe is busy, waiting tables can often be pretty stressful as there can be impatient customers and lots of orders to remember!

What hourly wage should I expect as a teenager?

The minimum wage for anyone under the age of 18 is £6.40 per hour. So if you’re being paid less than that, your boss is breaking the law! And remember, this amount is the minimum — you’re perfectly within your rights to earn a higher hourly wage. Many companies do have fixed hourly rates for their summer employees, but with others, there might be room for negotiation so don’t be afraid to ask for the wage that you think your time is worth.

How many hours can I work?

You can work up to 35 hours each week — or up to eight hours a day, apart from on Sunday when you’re only allowed to work two hours. But, if you’re 15 or 16 then you can’t work before 7 am or after 7 pm. And make sure you take proper breaks! It’s a legal requirement to have at least a one-hour break after working for a stretch of four hours.

What’ll help me land the job I want?

Learn more about writing a great CV, showcasing your skills and interviewing like an absolute pro - check out the best advice.

A fun-filled 30 minutes of tips and trickets to help you secure your first job. Watch it now.