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Twenty-five years ago, a good 50% of 16-to-19-year-olds had some kind of job. Now it’s more like 35%, according to government data.

There are plenty of theories about why teenage jobs are less common, including that there are more demands on today’s teens and that more entry-level jobs are being filled by adults in states with $20-plus minimum wages.

But is something important being lost when young people don’t work?

In addition to a paycheck, a part-time gig at the local ice cream shop or convenience store can offer invaluable life lessons about managing money, communicating professionally, and being resourceful. And research has found that high school seniors who worked part-time ended up earning more than those who didn’t once they graduated.

If you have a teenager in the family and they’ve never had a job, it’s worth at least considering. While many have their hands full with schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and today’s intense college application process, working can give them a leg up in other ways. Here’s more on the benefits, the tradeoffs, and how you can help your teen find a job if they want one.

The pros and cons of working as a teen

“Adulting” can be a hard adjustment. When teenagers have a job, they’re able to flex adulting muscles before they’re full-fledged adults, learning how to serve customers, be diplomatic with co-workers, communicate with strangers, and manage their time. These "soft skills" are often what employers notice first in interviews, and they can give young people confidence that they can make it in the “real world.”

Working for a paycheck also helps teach teens the value of a dollar. It can help them foster good financial habits like saving, opening a checking account, and creating a budget. Plus, making mistakes as a teen employee can be easier than when you’re an adult in a full-time position. And as an unofficial career coach, you can help your teen develop resilience to tough days, seasonal layoffs, or just not being hired.

A potential bonus perk of working as a teen? Employee discounts can stretch a high-school clothing or food budget further.

Of course, a part-time job may not be feasible with your teen’s schedule, particularly if it doesn’t leave enough time for their schoolwork. Or it may be a matter of limiting how much time they devote to a job: Past research found that teens working 20+ hours a week had worse academic performance, and a job that requires neglecting volunteer work or a social life probably doesn’t make sense.

Helping your teen find a job

If you and your teen decide some part-time work makes sense, here are some basic steps (and inspiration):

Talk it over. Begin by discussing your teen's goals, interests, and availability. Is it the paycheck or the job experience? What industry are they interested in learning more about? Do they want to practice their customer service and people skills, or are they more passionate about working with pets? Do they want to work on their feet, or would they prefer a more stationary job? Motivated teens can even start their own side hustles, such as lawn mowing, tutoring, or babysitting. Entrepreneurship skills are always a plus. Ideally, the job they choose will be something they can learn from and enjoy.

Cast your net. Work with your teen to compile a list of job possibilities, including teen-friendly clothing retailers and movie theaters. Do they have a favorite restaurant, bookstore, or cafe that they would love to be more than a customer at? Instead of paying to go to the bowling alley, would they consider working there? Alternatively, check with your school's career center for lists of teen-friendly employers and paid internships.

Paperwork prep. Have your teen create a resume (including paid work, volunteer experience, and school achievements), and help them polish it. When they start applying to full-time roles after graduation, they’ll be glad they already have a resume to work from. Gathering references can also be helpful. Your teen may need help filling out their job application and W-2 forms, as well as understanding how a paycheck divides up wages. Prep your short, fascinating speech on Social Security now. (Here’s a cheat sheet.)

Get out there. Encourage your teen to walk into businesses and drop off resumes. They may resist — in-person applications can feel more intimidating — but the old-fashioned approach can help them stand out, especially at places that regularly hire for entry-level jobs. Help your teen practice a brief, confident introduction to managers and assemble an outfit that says, “Hire me. (Please).” Once they land an interview, help them prep by role-playing common questions.

Be there for them. As your teen goes through the job-hunting process and starts working for the first time, be a sounding board and source of moral support. This will help them build resilience to common situations like getting passed over for a role or dealing with unpleasant colleagues. And these early experiences can put them ahead of the pack when they start their careers.

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