Are you 14 years' old, and not sure whether you can work?

Starting your start job can seem like a daunting prospect at any historic period. Only it tin seem even tougher when you're under xvi. Firstly, you lot need to effigy out what task you tin do, and how you tin can get the i yous desire. And then y'all need to piece of work out how to approach the employer.

To help you become into work, here's everything you lot need to know about finding work every bit a xiv-year-sometime:

How old practice I have to exist to commencement piece of work?

Children are immune to undertake part-time paid work from the age of thirteen.

Exceptions to this rule include roles in child modelling, Goggle box, or theatrical performance. Even so, children working in these fields will need to obtain a performance license.

What hours tin I work at 14?

The hours you'll exist able to piece of work are restricted to sure times, and vary inside term-time and during the school holidays.

During term-time

xiii and 14-year-olds tin piece of work a maximum of 12 hours a week. They must also take a minimum of 2 weeks off work during the school holidays.

During the school holidays

13 and 14-year-olds tin can work a maximum of 25 hours a calendar week.

In both term-time and school holidays, these hours must be fabricated up of:

  • No more v hours on a weekday or a Saturday
  • No more than than 2 hours on a Sunday

13 and fourteen-year-olds aren't allowed to work:

  • During schoolhouse hours
  • Before 7am or afterward 7pm
  • For over 4 hours without a interruption
  • For over 1 hour before school

What jobs can I practice?

At that place are some restrictions on where you can piece of work as a fourteen-year-sometime. For example, y'all won't be able to piece of work:

  • In factories or industrial sites
  • In pubs or betting shops
  • In areas prohibited by local bylaws
  • In a chore that could negatively touch your wellbeing, instruction, or health

However, that doesn't mean you lot can't piece of work anywhere.

Although some roles may be off limits, there are a number of jobs that are perfect for 14-year-olds, which allow you to work effectually your school life and attach to employment law. These include:

  • Domestic dog walking or cat sitting
  • Babysitting
  • Washing cars
  • Vlogging and blogging
  • Sports coaching
  • Retail work
  • Website pattern
  • Delivering newspapers
  • Modelling

How much will I get paid as a 14-yr-old?

There is no minimum wage for fourteen-year-olds, meaning you're not yet entitled to the National Minimum Wage.

This means what you're able to earn needs to be agreed upon with your employer, and is based upon the type of work y'all're doing.

Asking your employer for the minimum wage for under 18 year olds (which is currently £4.62) is usually the best way to ensure you're being paid a off-white amount.

How tin I find work equally a 14-year-one-time?

In addition to searching on job boards, it'due south too a good idea to expect for work within your local community – whether it's through checking newspapers and find boards in your area, or only asking around.

You may be surprised at how many opportunities you lot may find – whether it'south that a family friend is looking for a dog walker, babysitter, or motorcar washer, or your parent'due south work colleague is in need of help edifice a website.

It's also a good idea to contact local businesses (e.yard. contained shops and cafes) directly to run into if they demand any part-fourth dimension workers to help out with full general duties.

Tiptop tips

OK, and then you lot know when and where you can work, simply how tin yous state the job yous want?

Here are a few tips to help you stand out to recruiters:

  • Create a carefully tailored CV and encompass letter of the alphabet. Your CV and encompass letter of the alphabet shouldn't just outline your skills and experience – they should also exist tailored to the job you lot're applying for.
  • Focus on your transferable skills . Every bit you're merely starting out in your career, not having much work experience is perfectly understandable. Instead, mention skills yous may accept gained from extracurricular activities, schoolhouse, or your hobbies and interests, and recall nearly how they link to the job yous want to practise.
  • Think that all experience is good experience. It could be that you helped at a summer military camp, led or sports team, or volunteered at your local community centre or high street charity shop. Whatever it is, mentioning it in your CV volition demonstrate a wide range of skills and ultimately help y'all stand out from the crowd.
  • Prepare for the interview (if there is one). In addition to preparing for questions that may come up (and preparing questions of your ain), yous'll too need to program an outfit, enquiry the company, and practice your interview trunk language.

*All information was correct at time of writing. Please visit https://www.gov.uk/child-employment  for more details.

Turning 15 soon? Here'southward our advice on finding work as a 15-year-old.

Gear up to discover your perfect position? View all available jobs at present