Working Papers - if you are under 18 years of age (blue card if you are 14 or 15 yrs old
and green card if you are 16 or 17). You must get the application form from your high
school Main Office. It requires parent or guardian consent, a physical (usually your
annual school physical will be OK but you will have to check with the school nurse),
proof of age (birth certificate and social security card)
Selective Service registration number if you are a male 18 years or older (the quickest
way is to go to www.sss.gov and sign-up for your number—you can print out the
confirmation and an official notice will be mailed to your address in about 4 weeks) You
can find the registration form at your local post office as well. You will also need this
number in applying to colleges and for any financial aid applications. There is no
requirement for females.
Social Security Card or Resident Alien card—you must have the original which will be
copied and returned to you. In applying for employment you are asked to produce
important, confidential documents that should be guarded carefully but they are necessary
to prove that you are legally entitled to work in the United States.
Birth Certificate—you must have an original or stamped duplicate. Again, this will be
copied and returned to you.
Picture or photo ID is helpful—either a driver’s license or school ID card
References—the names and contact information for 3 to 4 people who are NOT related to
you and can speak positively about your character and responsible work habits.
ALWAYS check with your references first before listing their names so they are prepared
for a phone call. Some examples of good references include teachers, coaches, and
counselors—people you have babysat for or done regular chores for. Anyone who
supervised you in a volunteer capacity would be good too.
If you are called for an interview or even if you are just asking for an application—look
the part and dress appropriately! Make a good first impression—Be neat and well
groomed. The person you speak with may have a say in who is hired. Young men—take
the hat off, wear a shirt with a collar and a belt. Young women should not wear
distracting or low-cut clothing. Both genders should leave the torn jeans, multiple
piercings and MP3 player home. Your cell phone should be off or on vibrate. Some of
these things may be OK later if you get the job but it is better to be safe until you know
what the work dress rules are.
Shake hands and make eye contact with the person you are speaking with. When people
are nervous they tend to speak too fast—make a conscious effort to speak S L O W LY so
you can be understood clearly. Be courteous and use good manners with everyone you
encounter—thank the person who gave you the application, thank the manager for taking
the time to speak with you, etc. Again, you never know who or what might positively
influence the hiring process.
If you have previous work experience, make sure you have dates of previous
employment, the name, location and number of your supervisor. Briefly list the tasks you
were responsible for and be prepared to list the reason you left that previous job.
If you have no work experience be prepared to list volunteer experience you may have
done through school, scouting or a faith-based group. You may also give examples of
extracurricular activities (sports, school clubs, band, etc.) that show you have
successfully committed your time and completed an effort.
If you are bilingual, find a place to list this on your application—perhaps under “Other
Comments.” Many employers find this a very desirable skill in their applicants.
If you are looking to work in the retail or fast food industry please know that your
employer is going to require you to work weekends and holidays—this is when they are
the busiest and need the most help.
Some employers require applicants to be tested for illegal drugs as a precondition of
employment. If you have used illegal drugs, you will test positive and be denied a job.
Don’t even start the application process and waste everyone’s time and money.
If you work part-time during school—be aware that Labor Laws governing the
employment of minors (in-school youth 18 or younger) restrict the number of hours you
can work during the week so that your school work takes priority. If you are 14 to 15
years old you can work up to three hours on school days and eight hours on weekends or
holidays—no later than 7:00 p.m. at night and no more that 18 hours a week. During the
summer, youth aged 14 to 15 can work up to 40 hours a week and six days a week—from
7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Youth aged 16 to 17 may work up to four hours on school days
and eight hours on weekends and holidays—no later than 10:00 p.m. and no more than 28
hours per week. During the summer youth aged 16 to 17 can work up to eight hours per
day, 48 hours per week and six days per week between 6 a.m. and midnight.
Currently the federal minimum wage is $ 7.25 per hour. This means by law you cannot
be paid less than this amount per hour. There are a few exemptions to minimum wage
such as work as a waiter/waitress where tips are figured in as part of your wage or work
on farms harvesting fruit or crops.
NYS forbids minors from doing some job tasks for reasons of safety and health.
Examples of prohibited jobs for minors include construction work, operating power tools,
logging, etc. For more information and a complete list of labor laws governing the
employment of minors got to www.labor.state.ny.us
If you have any questions, you can always stop by the Guidance Office during your free
time! If you are a parent or guardian you can call the Guidance Office during school
hours at (845) 291-0300.
