Do NOT be so picky. Any job is good. As a HS grad you have limited skills, despite your gpa et al. There will be plenty of future doctors and lawyers and so forth working low end jobs in college. I started in the dorm food service scrape room, advanced to the clean dish room and was a cashier during college. A medical school classmate had worked his way up to McDonalds management to help pay bills- he started at the bottom. There is no job you are too good for. So many of us did work we did not like because we needed money. Any job producing a net income is better than no job. Don’t forget you could be cleaning the boys locker room at the public pool summer Saturday mornings (gross!) like I did or dorm bathrooms on work study like some do- makes McD’s look prime.
It is very late to be securing a summer job. However, you should apply to jobs that are meant to be summer jobs, and not to places that are truly looking for ongoing employees, such as many retail shops. For example, an ice cream shop or pool/rec or summer program for kids that want SUMMER help.
If you can’t get a regular sort of job, you could offer services to others, whether it is being a summer nanny, tutor, garden work, etc.
Let me add that you can’t afford to be picky. Further, no job is “beneath” you. I have a graduate degree from Harvard and a full professional resume and am in my 50s and am currently doing some work that is well beneath me that doesn’t require any college education because I need the money.
Next, let me add that both of my daughters stayed home the summer before entering college and worked to earn spending money for college. D1 was 17 that summer and D2 was just 16 that summer. Here is what each of them did that summer before starting college:
D1 got two summers jobs. One was at a local tennis/swim/resort community which offers a summer program for children that involves swimming, tennis, crafts, etc. She was a counselor. The second job was working bussing tables at a local restaurant that was OK with hiring her for the summer season (we also live in a resort community).
D2 earned money doing two things. One was a job she created for herself and a good friend. The girls created from scratch a two week summer musical theater program (both were heading to college to study that), and directed this program for ages 10-14. They secured the space, signed up students, created the entire program and ran it. It was lucrative and a big success. The other way she earned money was being cast in a summer professional theater production in our town.
Any country clubs around you? They hire kids in summer. Also Gyms/health clubs.
If you have work study, maybe try to secure a job at the bookstore to get retail experience? (Might be a coveted job though)?
Make flyers offering to do yard work for neighbors and seniors in your town. Hand them out to neighbors, put them up at supermarkets and the library. Restaurants hires kids your age and younger for bussing tables. Caterers and hotels need wait help for summer weddings and banquets. Is UPS hiring seasonal help to cover vacations loading trucks 3rd shift? Are these the fun, cool, clean jobs you want? Maybe not, but you aren’t in a position to be picky. My 15 yo daughter just got a job working the counter in a bakery. She wants to work in the kitchen, but is too young, so she is willing to take what is offered.
Cali…you live in NY state someplace. I agree with Soozviet. You need to look for jobs that are summer jobs. Actually, you could land something because if you are going to Northwestern, you don’t start until well after Labor Day. Many college students go back to college in August sometime.
SO…when you talk to a prospective employer…you can let them know you are available until well after Labor Day. This is one reason to print out a resume if your skills, put on your business casual clothes…and go locally to see people.
OP, you have OODLES of suggestions here. Your job today is to go out and pursue a bunch of them. Let us know how your search goes.
If you are lucky enough to have any chains opening this summer that’s a good bet. Our town is opening a Ross in a few weeks so are hiring like mad, even though some of the kids will only be avail. til late August.
If Cali’s in Upstate NY the job market can be tough because jobs are scarce and you’re competing with both adults and the local college kids who will be commuting to SUNY in the fall. It helps if you show up in person instead of applying online. If any of your friends are working locally, try networking to see if their employers are looking for people.
You have to cast a wide net. I’d suggest trying Stewart’s Shops, fast food chains, the historical houses, and any of the amusement/water parks you may be near. Farmers’ markets and ice cream shops should all be open by now too. Look for local bus service/rural transportation instead of taxis. One of the water parks Upstate used to send a bus out to pick up employees in the morning (they had the kids congregate at different shopping centers throughout the valley) and drop them off at night. That was only a few years ago, so keep your eye out for opportunities like that. Put applications in everywhere and don’t be picky about the hours or type of job. Good luck.
If you have any office skills, you might see if area temporary agencies have a minimum age requirement. Often the skills required are minimal - filing requires knowing how to alphabetize, for example.
So far, I applied to a few bakery shops via email and then I realized that Craig’s list is useful for finding local jobs.
I applied to some supermarkets as well. I can’t recall who asked, but my sibling has a vehicle and would be willing to drive me to a job.
Did you include cover letters with your applications?
@Madison85 For some, not all. Some applications didn’t require one. Others had a requirement but I was limited to about 260 characters.
I was just talking to one of my D’s friends this weekend and she also has a late birthday and tried many different places. It is quite difficult. She finally got a job at the local McDonalds, after stopping by weekly to ask. She hates it but it will do for now until she turns 18 and has more options. Though, it seems they may have a program that helps for college so that could be a plus and she is looking into that.
I remember when my D was looking, she stopped at a local pet store that just opened.They told her she had to be 18 and be able to work full days. A few months later, they had to give up on that condition as there many are moms locally that want to work mornings while their children are in school, but want to be home in the afternoons. So now you see mostly students working in the afternoons. It does pay to visit these local stores if something opens up. Maybe leave a resume.
D did find a job at another store that she stopped in to ask and they had not yet advertised hiring. She was able to get in right away and she has brought in another friend. However, she only gets a few hours per week. She is looking for babysitting or pet sitting to supplement income. I can’t say that is going well but she is telling everyone she knows she is available.
Online applications are dreadful for any employment age as they screen you out if anything does not meet the criteria they want. However, you may get lucky, so it is worth a try. Good luck, it is tougher than most people think, especially in rural areas.
Craig’s list is another good option but be careful online. Someone tried to scam my D with a babysitting job that was too good to be true. That’s another story, just check with your parents if it sounds too good.
Bakeries? Smaller, family owned restaurants? Vacation Bible school? idk if that last one pays, but it might be a source of babysitting jobs. Are there still temp agencies that offer short term jobs?
Check now, and then check again. Some of the kids hired initially might not have worked out.
Did anyone mention dog sitting yet? It’s summer and people do go on vacation.
Here’s what you need to do to get a job as a teenager:
- Make a list of area businesses you would like to work at/businesses likely to hire you - I would focus on seasonal and local businesses for the most part to increase your chances.
- Freshen up a resume and print out some copies.
- Dress neatly.
- Carve out a few hours with your sibling to drive around and visit in person (don’t go during lunch time or other times when the business might be very busy - mid afternoon can often be good.
- Go in and ask if they are hiring/if you can talk to the hiring manager. Pick up and fill out an application/drop off your resume. Be polite, personable, confident, articulate.
One of my kids did this mid June last year and had multiple offers to choose from, including from a business or two that wasn’t officially hiring, despite the late timing.
Extra note: ALWAYS include a cover letter when applying via email. It might not be required but it will give you a little extra. If possible, it’s always better to apply in person for entry level jobs if possible.
@DrGoogle I have allergies to pets 
unless someone needs a fish sitter, it probably would work for me lol
My almost 17 year old son just got hired by a local supermarket.
He got daily reminders from snagajob. Local employers that would consider a 17 year old included lots of fast food places-- but you’ve excluded them-- Starbucks, CVS, and lots of smaller, non chain places. Try Red Lobster, Outback, pretty much anyplace that has a cash register.
Also, the clothes do not have to fit you for you to work there.
He worked the past 2 summers (from the age of 14) for a local dog boarder, walking and caring for the dogs.
The trick is not to look HERE. Start with your local Chamber of Commerce site, and send a resume and cover letter to every single possible employer there. Don’t skip the oddball choices-- even a doctor’s office could conceivably hire you to do filing, who knows?
@bjkmom - my D had a job at a clothing store, and she was required to wear at least 3 pieces of the clothing/accessories while at work. They provided the items to her at no cost, but it was part of the job - to look fabulous and showcase the items. I doubt all stores have that requirement, but some do.
Another possibility (may have been mentioned earlier) - any place that does catering might need temporary workers. I worked at a university and lots of people (students, community) worked as temps in the catering department for banquets and special events.