Part 1 of 3 in the Summer Job Series - Earn your first paycheck, build real-world skills, and gain...
How to land a summer job (Part 3 of 3)
Part 3 of 3 in the Summer Job Series - If you can't find a job — create one
You applied. You followed up. Nothing yet. That happens — and it doesn't mean you're stuck. If a traditional job isn't coming through, you have two options: keep looking, or stop waiting and build something yourself. This post covers both.
You don't need permission, a resume, or a manager to start earning. You need one skill, one willing customer, and the nerve to ask. Most teens already have all three.
| Service | Earn |
|---|---|
| Lawn mowing & yard work | $20–$50 per yard |
| Babysitting | $15–$25/hr |
| Pet sitting & dog walking | $15–$30 per walk |
| Car washing | $20–$40 per car |
| Social media help for local businesses | $50–$150 per project |
| Tutoring | $15–$25/hr |
How to get started:
- Choose one service — Pick something you can do well and would actually enjoy. Narrow focus beats doing everything.
- Set a fair price — Search what others in your area charge. Start competitive — you can raise rates once you have reviews.
- Tell 10 people — Friends, family, neighbours. Word of mouth is still the most effective marketing a teen has. One great job becomes five referrals.
- Do great work — Reliable teens get repeat customers and referrals. Your reputation is your marketing.
- Track your income — Keep a simple log of what you earn. You may need to report it — and it's a great habit to start now.
Ontario Summer Company: If you're thinking bigger, Ontario Summer Company offers mentorship and up to $3,000 in grant funding for teens who start a summer business. Applications typically close in May — apply early next year. ontario.ca/page/start-summer-company-students
Your 5-day Summer Job Challenge
Whether you're still looking for a traditional job or building your own, this challenge gets you moving. One focused action per day — by Day 5 you'll have more momentum than most teens manage all summer.
Day 1 — Make your list. Write down 3 jobs you'd actually enjoy doing. Be honest — motivation matters.
Day 2 — Do your research. Look up each one. Find real openings, locations, hours, and how to apply.
Day 3 — Build your resume. One page. Clean font. Honest bullets. Use the format from Part 2 of this series.
Day 4 — Apply to at least 3 places. Customize one sentence in each application.
Day 5 — Tell someone your plan. Accountability matters. Tell a parent, sibling, or friend what you're going for. Saying it out loud makes it real.
Bonus challenge: If you land an interview within 2 weeks, email us at hello@teenfinanceclub.com — we'd love to hear about it.
Free resources
Everything you need to land your first summer job — all free:
Action for the week
- Start Day 1 of the challenge today — write down 3 jobs you'd actually enjoy.
- If nothing has come through yet, pick one service from the list above and tell 10 people this week.
- Download the free toolkit and use at least one resource before you apply again.
This is general information only, not financial advice.
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Ready to put this into practice?
Our events are built for teens — hands-on sessions where you take what you’ve learned and actually do something with it. See what’s coming up: See upcoming TFC sessions for teens
