We recently asked people to tell us on LinkedIn what their first jobs were. Here are 30 examples of people's first jobs. It’s clear that no matter what a person’s title is, they had to start from somewhere.
Some themes: careers are not linear, your first job can teach you a lot, and it’s nice to reflect on what your first jobs were.
- “Working for a family friend's law firm. Actually it was babysitting their kids when I was in 6th grade.” - Adam, SEO/Copywriting
- “When I was 7 or 8 I started going on plumbing jobs with my dad.” - Amanda G, CEO and Founder
- “From ages 12 to 14 I worked at TCBY (the yogurt chain)” - Keegan, VP of Marketing
- “I was a day camp counselor and I loved it.” - Lauren, Senior Talent Manager
- “I babysat from high school through college saving every penny I could to pay college tuition.” - Melissa, Supply Chain Leader
- “I worked at Pizza Hut taking phone orders and making boxes. To this day, I can make and break down boxes at record speed.” - Julia, Director of HR
- “I was planning and running a birthday party for a 5 year old. I was 15.” - Amrapali, Customer Experience
- “Mowing lawns to buy a surfboard in 5th grade!” - Hannah, Manager of Customer Success
- “I worked at a local Deli from 14 to 20. The single most important job of my career. It built character and work ethic.” - Greg, Founder
- “My first-ever job was hauling hay at 11. I got $0.05 for each bale stacked. My first adult job was the US Navy.” - Darrell, Process Improvement
- “My first paying job was a neighborhood babysitter at 12.” - Michelle, Multi-Platform Promotional Strategy
- “I mowed and babysat nine month old twins. for every dollar we put in the bank, my dad matched it.” - Lauri, Leadership Education
- “ I was a cashier/receptionist at a car dealership. I don't know how they trusted a 15 year-old with that level of responsibility 😅” - Cristina, UI/UX Engineer
- “Started out working as a soccer referee for local parks around 14.” - Cole, Project Coordinator, Global Events
- “A part-time cashier at my dad's children's clothing factory. It sparked my passion and love for fashion.” - Sabrina, Senior Marketer
- “I work at a local hospital in Alabama as a clerk on the cardiac floor.” - Michael, Sales and Customer Service
- “The Boston Market (Boston chicken back then) as a cashier. Most of the money went to senior dues and prom.” - Zenzi, Back End Developer
- “I was 16 years old, I worked on a construction site shingling roofs and cleaning up.” - William, Client Relations Manager
- “I worked in a pizzeria managing the phone/deliveries as a cashier at the age of 12. I started asking the owner if they had openings at 8 years old. It's a good reminder that perseverance can open doors so sometimes you have to keep knocking.” - Matthew, HR Manager
- “I worked at the local mall in a department store when I was in high school.” - Jayashree, UX Designer
- “I used to work at good old Dunkin Donuts.” - Norhan, Program Manager
- “My first job was to take care of show dogs and do landscaping for a neighboring family.” - Michael, Talent Acquisition
- “I worked part-time folding clothes at Gap. Never did I think a part time gig in college would lead to a 20-plus year career in various roles and an international move.” - Kristin, Project Manager
- “I was 13 years old and worked weekends as a merry-go-round operator at a small amusement park.” - Ron, Owner
- “Ben & Jerry's at 14!” - Joolie, Recruiter
- “I swept floors and stock shelves at a local Garden Center.” - Jonathan, Enablement Manager
- “My jobs from age 13 to 22: Babysitter, Gap salesperson, summer day camp counselor, college’s annual fund caller, summer overnight camp counselor, English teacher in Taiwan, historic house tour guide, and barista.” - Johanna, Director of Employer Engagement
- “My first job was at a day care center.”- Johnny, Analyst
- “I used to help my parents sell gift items and work the register during the holidays at the local mall.” - Satya, Director of Career Services
- “I performed at kids birthday parties as a magician for hire when I was in elementary School then I started a small retail operation in Middle School. The freelance DNA runs deep.” - Matthew, Emmy Award Winner
Your title today doesn't dictate your chances for growth in the future. Keep growing.
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