I`m 17 and Ive done some volunteer work as well as worked in a company run by family, but other than that never really worked besides babysitting. what are some tips in helping me be successful when job hunting?

It sounds like you have enough to start a decent resume. Make sure it looks professional and put emphasis on the responsibilities you’ve had. I got a decent job with only 3 months work in fast food, and a whole bunch of other little things (tutoring etc.) that I managed to make sound professional. You don’t want them to look at you and think "she has no experience".

When you job hunt, instead of just dropping off a resume, engage the person behind the counter in a friendly conversation (if it’s service industry), ask if they’re hiring, and definitely ask to see the manager. A resume they can connect to a face has a much higher chance of getting called in for an interview.

Besides that, all the common interview tips are important – especially paying attention to things you don’t notice about yourself, like bad posture, playing with your hair, or over-use of the word "like". Have ready answers to questions you might hear (What’s your best/worst quality? Why do you want to work here? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Describe a stressful situation and how you handled it etc.) Ask someone with experience to do a mock interview, complete with handshakes and all.

It’s important to seem confident without being over-confident. At 17, they will be sizing you up to see how mature you are for your age and to make sure that you are reliable and respectful.

Good luck!