🚨 The Entry-Level Job Crisis—Why Your Teen Needs a New Plan

Your kid might never have a “first job.”

Once upon a time, getting into the workforce was simple:
✅ Graduate.
✅ Get an entry-level job.
✅ Work your way up.

But today? That ladder is broken.

🔹 35% of entry-level jobs now require experience. [source]
🔹 Middle managers are being laid off and taking jobs meant for younger workers.
🔹 More teens are skipping traditional jobs and going straight into freelancing, startups, or gig work.

For parents, this raises a BIG question: How do you help your kid get “experience” when entry-level jobs barely exist anymore?

In this edition, we’re breaking it down:
📌 Why the career launchpad is shifting
📌 The 3 skills every teen needs to bypass traditional job hurdles
📌 A simple plan to help your kid build real-world experience before 18

Plus, we’ve got a free Future-Proof Career Playbook packed with step-by-step strategies, a checklist, and the best online certifications to kickstart their journey. 🎯

Let’s dive in. 👇

📊 How Employers Are Hiring Differently—What That Means for Your Kid

📊 Stat: 80% of job postings now list “experience required” for entry-level jobs.

The old formula—degree → internship → first job—is fading fast. Employers aren’t just looking at résumés anymore. They’re prioritizing skills, proof of work, and hands-on experience over traditional credentials.

🔹 Skills-First Hiring is Rising: Companies like Google and IBM are dropping degree requirements and focusing on what candidates can actually do.
🔹 Certifications & Boot Camps Matter More: Job-ready programs in coding, digital marketing, and even AI are replacing the need for traditional experience.
🔹 Internship Alternatives Are Emerging: New apprenticeship models, project-based work, and online portfolio-building are giving young workers an edge.

💡 Takeaway for Parents: The best thing you can do for your teen is help them pursue alternative experience paths:
✅ Enroll them in an online certification course (Google, Coursera, Udemy offer top options).
✅ Encourage them to complete a real-world project (freelance gig, competition, or volunteer work).
✅ Guide them toward an industry-specific community or internship-equivalent program.

👉 In the future job market, it’s not about what they studied—it’s about what they can do.

🚀 The ‘Teen Career Accelerator’ Plan—3 Simple Steps

💡 Help your teen build career momentum before they turn 18—without waiting for a job offer.

Instead of hoping their first job magically appears, your teen can take control of their future with this simple 3-step plan:

✅ Step 1: Pick a High-Value Skill
The future job market rewards specialized skills, not just degrees. Encourage your teen to explore:
🔹 Tech: Coding, AI tools, cybersecurity
🔹 Creative: Video editing, graphic design, copywriting
🔹 Business & Finance: Marketing, investing, entrepreneurship
🔹 Soft Skills: Public speaking, negotiation, leadership

✅ Step 2: Build Proof of Work
A portfolio beats a résumé every time. Have them create:
🔹 A blog or website showcasing projects
🔹 A case study or research project in their field of interest
🔹 A small business or freelance gig to gain hands-on experience

✅ Step 3: Connect with the Right People
Who they know matters just as much as what they know.
🔹 Set up a LinkedIn profile—start following industry professionals.
🔹 Join relevant online communities (Slack, Discord, Twitter/X groups).
🔹 Encourage them to reach out for informational interviews or mentorship.

🔥 Why It Works: Instead of waiting for opportunities, this plan gives your teen a competitive edge—so by the time they do apply for jobs, they already have real-world experience.

👉 Need help guiding your teen through this? Our Future-Proof Career Playbook includes step-by-step action plans, a skill-building checklist, and the best free certification programs. [Download it below!]

🎯 Your Free Future-Proof Career Playbook—Download Now!

💡 The best thing you can do for your child? Help them build a portfolio, not just a résumé.

What skills are you encouraging at home? Reply and let me know—I’d love to hear!

Thinking about your kid’s career can feel overwhelming. My boys are only in middle school, but this plagues my mind quite a bit!

But here’s the truth: you don’t have to map out their entire future. You just need to give them the right tools and opportunities to explore, fail, and grow.

The real goal? Momentum. If they start now—one project, one new skill, one connection at a time—they’ll enter adulthood prepared, confident, and ahead of the curve.

And you? You’re already doing the most important job. Just by reading this, you’re showing up for your kid’s future. Keep going. 🚀

Until next time,
James