The Best Part-Time Job for Your Teenager

Age Matters

Do you have a 14- or 15-year-old under your roof? These teens can work up to three days a week, 18 hours per week between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., during the school year (no more than three hours on a weekday). Between June 1 and Labor Day, they may work eight hours a day from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., 40 hours per week.

Teens ages 16 and 17 can work an unlimited number of hours in nonhazardous industries as determined by the Secretary of Labor. Hazardous industries include coal mining; jobs with exposure to radioactive substances; logging and sawmilling; work involving power-driven meat-processing or metal-forming machines; jobs manufacturing explosives, brick, tile or related products; wrecking; and demolition. For a full list, visit the U.S. Department of Labor's Web site.

Be aware that there are both federal and state laws restricting child labor, and, when the laws differ, the rules that provide the most protection for the children take precedence. Read up on your state's laws at its department of labor Web site.

Waging War

As of July 2009, the minimum wage of nonexempt employees is $7.25 an hour. In some cases, employers in service and retail establishments, agriculture and higher education institutions are permitted to set wages below minimum wage for a trial period. Make sure you and your teen are informed of what constitutes a fair wage at his or her workplace.

13-Year-Olds Need Not Apply

If your child is age 13 or younger, most employment is off-limits. However, there are a few exceptions. Your child can still deliver newspapers to consumers, perform minor chores around private homes and pick up casual babysitting gigs. Try starting them on chores around your own home before giving the OK on working for the neighbors.

Part-Time Job Ideas

Now that you have the laws ironed out, here comes the fun part: picking the job. It's always good to try to match your teen's likes and dislikes with any given position. If your teen isn't particularly social or outgoing, retail or waiting tables may not be for her. Some great starting points for your teen jobseeker include: restaurants (server, host/hostess); libraries; retail (cashier, sales associate); movie theaters (usher, cashier, concessioner); pet-sitting or dog-walking; golf courses (server, landscape maintenance); resorts (housekeeper); lawn maintenance; coffee shops (barista, cashier); tutoring (musical instruments, foreign languages); and camp counseling. Throughout the job search, make it clear that she's the one responsible for filling out and turning in applications.

Setting Limits

Finding a job is the easy part--what comes next can be a bit trickier. Your teen may want to max out his hours at the brewpub to save up for his own car, but remind him that school always comes first. Working long hours has been associated with lower grades, and, if your teen is already struggling without the additional obligation of a part-time job, you may need to consider restricting his work schedule to summertime only. Even if your teen is a straight-A student, keep a close eye on him. On top of extracurricular activities, social events, sports and studying, a part-time job could easily burn out even the most driven teenager.

Keep in mind that if your child is age 15 or younger, he'll need to have a ride to and from work. If there aren't any trustworthy co-workers or older siblings to give him a lift, make sure his schedule will allow for you or your partner to transport him.

Responsible Spending

Once the part-time job is in place, it can be a good idea to help your teen set up a checking and/or savings account if she doesn't already have one. Due to the prevalence of online banking, many employers will offer direct deposit, which will take the paper check out of the equation and leave payment stub details for your teen on her online account. This will vary depending on what kind of bank account your teen opts for.

It also might be smart to set up a budget with your teen. Make sure she factors in social outings with friends as well as gas to and from work. If she sees how much money she'll need for different parts of her life, she may be less likely to engage in frivolous spending (and end up begging you for more money). Be clear with her that she's now responsible for these expenditures, and if she's not smart with her money, you won't be the one lending her cash to see the latest blockbuster.

If your teen is under age 18, she can obtain a debit or ATM card, depending on the bank (only 18-year-olds can possess credit cards under their own name). You can't always be around when she swipes that plastic, so give her motivation to spend money responsibly. For example, consider adding $5 or $10 of your own money to her bank account for every $50 she saves. Now that's incentive.