Caveat Careers · Grades 9 to 12

Your first job,
start to paycheck.

A self-paced course on landing and keeping a first job: where openings are and the rules for teen workers, a one-page resume, applications, interviews, the first paycheck and your rights, and leaving well. With a resume builder that runs in the browser and prints.

Buy nowSee the modules
6modules
18lessons
1resume builder

Who it is for

Students in grades 9 to 12 looking for a first job, a summer job or a better part-time job. No experience needed: the course shows how babysitting, a team, volunteering or a family business turn into a resume.

What students leave with

  • A finished one-page resume and a references page, printed or saved as a PDF.
  • A cover email and a thank-you note they wrote themselves.
  • STAR answers to the interview questions they are most likely to hear.
  • A checked schedule against the federal rules for their age.
  • The skill to read a pay stub, line by line.

6 modules

Worked examples, quick checks, a practice set and a module check in each, with a short written response; then a final and a certificate of completion.

  1. Getting ready for a first jobWhat a first job gives you; Finding openings; Rules for teen workers
  2. Building your resumeWhat goes on a resume; Bullet points that show what you did; Formatting, proofreading and the resume builder
  3. Applications and cover lettersFilling out an application; Short cover letters and emails; Following up and your online presence
  4. The interviewPreparing for an interview; In the interview; After the interview
  5. Your first paycheck and your rightsPaperwork on day one; Reading a pay stub; Safety and rights at work
  6. Keeping the job and growingBeing reliable; Feedback, mistakes and people; Leaving well and what comes next

Job-Ready

Self-paced on any device, about 20 to 30 minutes a lesson, around 12 hours in all. Progress saves in the browser on the device your student uses.

Buy now adds the course to your cart; check out with a card and it is yours to keep. With a Caveat family code or a school license that includes courses, the button opens it.

The resume builder

Type into labeled boxes and watch a clean one-page resume build itself beside them. Bullet hints flag a line that does not start with an action verb. Print it or save it as a PDF from the print window, print a separate references page, or copy it as plain text for an online application.

It runs entirely in the browser. Nothing your student types is sent to Caveat or anyone else, and it is saved only on that device.

Start with the free Career Explorer

Not sure what kind of job to look for? The Career Explorer matches interests and work values to career areas, Caveat courses and O*NET OnLine.

Rules for teen workers are explained in general federal terms; states add their own. Nothing here is legal or tax advice.

The other branches

One brand. Seven branches. Every grade, every next step.

For teachersCaveat Classroom

Resources made to order, free tools, professional development, certification prep.

For studentsCaveat Academy

Self-paced courses for grades 6 to 12, from full-year classes to AP and SAT prep.

For parentsCaveat Co-Op

Homeschool from kindergarten to grade 12, courses for parents, and plans with your Caveat advisor.

For college-bound students and familiesCaveat College

College credit in high school, the college list, applications, paying for college and the move to college.

For families with questions about learningCaveat Lens

Screeners for grades 1 to 8 that help you decide whether to ask for a full evaluation.

For social-emotional learningCaveat Cares

Feelings, friendships and self-regulation, for students, families and teachers.

Career information is general: pay, requirements and licensing vary by state and change over time. Caveat courses are practice courses; they do not award credit. O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration; Caveat Academic Services is not affiliated with it. Caveat Academic Services is independent and not affiliated with any school district or employer.