Can Teens Work at Two Jobs?

There is nothing better than being super-productive in the world of employment. In fact, being pro-active and uber-productive are two of the key ingredients for success.

Ask any millionaire entrepreneur, and they will tell you the same thing. If you are a teenager who is undecided on your career path or simply wants to keep your options open, working two jobs is a smart and practical move.

You can learn two different types of job and make some decent money while deciding which will suit you better in the long term. But, can teens work at two jobs? For sure! However, make sure you don’t spread yourself too thinly, and always have a plan.

So, let’s take a more in-depth look at the best ways to balance two jobs and if it’s the right or wrong move for you.

What Are The Legal Job Requirements For Teens?

Before I go any further, I need to explore the legal aspects and restrictions on teen jobs. If you are 16 years old or older, you can legally work two jobs, no problem.

But there are certain legal restrictions on 14 and 15-year-olds in the workplace. If you’re younger than 16 and older than 13, you can only work three hours on school days for six days per week. And you are only allowed to work for a total of 18 hours per week.

Work within the labor laws…

14 and 15-year-olds on non-school days are allowed to work for longer hours. This is usually during school breaks in the summertime. You can work eight hours per day on a non-school day, which breaks down as 40 hours per week.

So if you are younger than 16 years old, it is possible to work two jobs at the same time at 20 hours per week, per job. You will then be working within the legal youth child labor laws.

Summer holidays…

Teens between the ages of 14 and 15 can also only work within the set hours of 7:00 am to 7:00 pm during school days. But that time is extended to 9:00 pm during the summer holiday months or essentially from June until Labor Day.

What Jobs Should Teens Apply For?

If you are planning to take on two jobs simultaneously, you need to seriously consider the job types you choose. For instance, the first job you take will have a knock-on effect on the second job you take. Not many people plan to perform two jobs at the same time, and it’s usually born out of what your first job entails.

If you are doing one job working online and your second job is working in a restaurant, these are completely different industries. Learning for these two differing jobs is a major advantage and will give you a wide range of work experience. Mixing and matching the two job types is important.

Keeping Your Work Schedule Balanced

Balancing out the work schedules of your two jobs will be the difference between being successful or failing. Being organized is essential when you have limited time to squeeze in two jobs.

Just remember that taking on these jobs will have a big impact on other parts of your life, such as socializing with family and friends. And if it’s affecting any school or studies negatively to the point where your grades are getting lower, it’s a dangerous game.

No negative impacts…

You need to create a work schedule that suits your personal preferences. You need to skillfully balance two jobs, your personal life, and your education without having negative impacts on any of them. And if that’s all too much, you might have to settle for doing just one job.

That might result in less money in your pockets for the short term, but it will be better for your long-term prospects. Only you know what’s right for you and your life and what’s most important. Just make sure you balance everything perfectly.

Don’t Exhaust Yourself

Many people in life will tell you that balancing so many things at once for several months at a time can be easy. But at some point, you might start to drop the balls you are juggling. And once you do, it’s hard to get back in sync.

Burning the candle at both ends can result in physical and mental exhaustion. Some people can handle it for much longer than others, but the balls will fall eventually, no matter how good you are at juggling.

Mental and physical health…

Always keep an eye on your own mental and physical health. Making money working two jobs is great, but not at the expense of your well-being. A good approach to take is gradually working yourself up to optimal performance levels.

Make sure you get at least seven hours of sleep per night and make sure you have plenty of time to relax and unwind out of work. If you take care of these things and don’t overload with work too much, you should be able to perform two jobs without any negative impact on your health.

You Might Have To Ace TWO Interviews!

You’re definitely going to need advice, and be fully prepared to do that! Let’s first check out my interview guides on answering How Would You Describe Yourself, Why We Should Hire You, What Are Your Career Goals, or perhaps even What Are You Most Proud Of, my Strengths And Weaknesses For Job Interviews, and how to Answer Why Best Candidate Position.

As well as How Do You Handle Stress, How To Answer What Are You Passionate About, and What Makes You Unique, or How Do You Handle Conflict, Answering Tell Me About Yourself In Interview, and of course, the Best Questions To Ask In An Interview which usually happens at the end of your interview.

But, you can never be too prepared, so we recommend you read up on the Amazing Interview Answers: 44 Tough Job Interview Questions with 88 Winning Answers, Hiring Squirrels: 12 Essential Interview Questions to Uncover Great Retail Sales Talent, and Get That Job!: The Quick and Complete Guide to a Winning Interview, or what about How to Answer Interview Questions: 101 Tough Interview Questions all available online in 2023.

The STAR Method has been proven to be successful in any interview! So, why not try reading The STAR Method Explained: Proven Technique to Succeed at Interview, or The STAR Interview: How to Tell a Great Story, Nail the Interview and Land Your Dream Job, used in conjunction with the STAR METHOD INTERVIEW: Interview Journal: A Notebook designed for job seekers as a guide for interview prep & as a tool for interview questions and answers during interviews to help practice beforehand.

And finally, is my favorite, the INTERVIEW with DESIRE and GET HIRED!: How to Ace the Interview, Sell Yourself & Get Your Dream Job which has helped me many times!

Keeping Both Companies Happy

You need to avoid a conflict of interest between your two jobs. If you start making mistakes in your first job because your second job is making you tired, it might be time to evaluate your choices. You could end up disappointing both parties that could lead to you getting fired from one or even both of them.

But if there is an unavoidable conflict of interest between the two, always prioritize the highest paying job. Never take on more than you can handle. Always keep within the confines of what you consider a comfortable balance between your jobs and personal life.

Final Thoughts

If you are a teen considering taking on two jobs, just make sure you know what you’re getting into. Have a plan, keep to it, and try to avoid overloading yourself with too many jobs.

Working and making money is great, but not at the expense of your overall quality of life. Just be realistic and don’t be too greedy because you don’t want to bite off more than you can chew.

All the very best juggling Two Jobs!