Can my son say that he has done misc. jobs for cash over the summer on a job application?

Question

My 17 yr. old son has done some misc. work for people over the summer. Mowing lawns for neighbors. He also helped build an addition, and did some roofing work. He was paid cash for these jobs. He was paid by the job for mowing the lawn. But the other work he was paid $10 hr. cash. Can he put this stuff down on a job application? How should he word it? Does he say self employed?

The job applications he will be filling out will be for his first job. He filled out a few applications last winter, but didn't have anything to write down for employment. He's hoping that the little bit of work he did over the summer will be helpful. He's just looking to get a job at like Walmart or something.

Answer 1

Your son can certainly put this on his application, particulary because of his age and the fact that this will be his 'first' job.

He might want to word it as 'Miscellaneous Duties' and mention Landscaping and Minor Construction as subcategories or something along those lines.

Good luck to him!

Answer 2

He can put what he did, but unless he reported the income and paid taxes on it, I'd keep the amount of work vague and I sure wouldn't specify that it was for cash. If he made over $400 total for the year from these jobs, he was legally required to report it to the IRS.

Answer 3

I was a bit clever on my first resume and wrote "Individual Entrepeneur", and explained my small business of doing yardwork, shoveling, etc. Wal-mart isn't exactly a place that needs a big list of experience and references.

Answer 4

Yes, he should list those items as evidence of previous experience spent working for other people.

Answer 5

Yes, he was a contract laborer. Verbal, but it's still a contract. The reason for leaving, assignment completed.

Answer 6

Yes, he should put this down. And use those he worked as as references.