Your first job doesn’t need to decide your whole future.
It can put money in your pocket, give you some independence and prove that you can turn up and get stuck in. This guide will help you find one nearby.
One in four young people in education (25%) work alongside their studies, according to the Youth Voice Census 2026. The pay helps, but the experience matters too. A lack of work experience is now the most common barrier young people report, chosen by 57%. A Saturday job gives you something concrete to put on your next application.
First, the rules (they're on your side)
| If you are… | What applies |
|---|---|
| 16 and still in Year 11 (before the last Friday in June) | You're still “school age”. Hours are limited, especially in term time, there's no set minimum wage, and your employer may need a work permit from the local council. |
| 16 or 17 and past that date | You're a “young worker”. You must get at least £8.00 an hour (from April 2026), you can't usually work more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week, and you get a 30-minute break if you work more than 4.5 hours. |
A few jobs have to wait until you're 18, like serving alcohol at a bar or some late-night and delivery driving roles. If an employer asks you to work for free “as a trial” for more than a short, genuine try-out, that's a red flag.
The best part-time jobs for 16 year olds
Shops and supermarkets
Shelf stacking, tills, click and collect. Steady hours, clear training, and big employers often hire at 16. Great if you like routine and being useful.
Cafés, restaurants and takeaways
Kitchen porter, waiting tables, barista, counter service. Busy, social and fast. Good if time flies when you're on your feet.
Garden centres, farm shops and pick-your-own
A big one in our patch. Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire are full of them, and they need weekend and summer help. Ideal if you'd rather be outdoors.
Leisure centres, sports clubs and soft play
Reception, party host, coaching assistant, lifeguard (you can qualify from 16). Brilliant if you're sporty or good with kids.
Seaside and tourism work
Clacton, Walton, Mersea, Southend, Felixstowe, Aldeburgh and Southwold all get busy from Easter to September. Think ice cream kiosks, arcades, holiday parks, beach cafés and attractions.
Stables, kennels and catteries
Mucking out, feeding, walking. Early starts, but if you love animals it won't feel like work.
Babysitting, tutoring and dog walking
Work for yourself, set your own hours. Good if you're organised and people trust you.
Helping a small local business
Think Saturday help at a salon, a bike shop, a print shop, a garage or a market stall. These jobs are rarely advertised. You get them by asking.
Where to look locally
- Walk the high street in places such as Colchester, Chelmsford, Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Braintree, Sudbury, Stevenage, St Albans, Hitchin, Hertford and Bishop’s Stortford. Look for posters and ask who handles hiring.
- Check retail parks and garden centres on the edge of town.
- Search local Facebook groups for your town or village.
- Use the careers pages of supermarkets, fast-food chains and cinemas, filtered by your postcode.
- Ask your college or sixth-form careers team. They often hear about local vacancies first.
- Tell people you know that you’re looking. Many first jobs begin with a conversation.
Be honest about getting there. A job is only a real option if you can reach it reliably and afford the journey. Check the last bus home before you say yes to a closing shift.
How to land one
- 1.Make a one-page CV. Lead with your strengths, school, clubs, caring, volunteering and anything you’ve organised or made.
- 2.Visit at a quiet time. Avoid Saturday lunchtime. Ask for the manager and say, “Hi, I’m looking for weekend work. Are you taking anyone on?”
- 3.Follow up. If they ask you to leave a CV, return a week later. Most people won’t.
- 4.Be clear about when you can work. “Saturdays, Sundays and school holidays” gives the manager useful information straight away.
- 5.Prepare one story about a time you were reliable, helped someone or kept going when something was difficult. You can use it in an interview.
What your first job gives you
- Money you earned yourself
- A reference from someone who isn't a teacher
- Real examples for future applications and interviews
- Clues about the conditions that suit you. You might hate the noise but love chatting with regular customers. Both are useful things to learn.
Where inyourroots® comes in
inyourroots® is a strengths-first career discovery experience for 16 to 25 year olds across Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire. Budi, your career companion, helps you notice what you're good at and connects you with real local small businesses when you're ready.
Start at your own pace. Join the waitlist at inyourroots.com/budi