Getting first part time job...

highlydebased

I'm having quite a bit of difficulty getting first part time job. Now I particulary want/need one or there will be a long summer ahead..... I'm 16 in Limerick City area, I have applied to rakes of places that have advertised for part time positions, and have sent in my CV to a fair few places also.

What am I doing wrong? Are employers reluctant to take on anybody with no previous experience?

ta

AARRRGH

The problem might be that you're 16. It's also the summer, so you have thousands of other students competing for the same jobs.

Could you try going into the shops/bars/cafes in person, wearing nice clothes, and ask to speak to the manager? You'll get their attention that way, and they'll have a face to match to the CV...

What type of jobs have you applied for?

highlydebased

I have gone in to one or two places and spoke to the manager in question

Have applied for retail-sort jobs in around 10 places at this stage

RedXIV

Supermarkets always need staff. also bars and nightclubs will usually hire lounge staff at your age. unfortunetly, you are fighting hundreds of people for jobs so you might end up doing something you don't like

hunnymonster

Quite a few people get summer jobs through their parents. Could you ask your parents to see if any of their contacts might have something going for the summer. Even if you don't like it, do it for a few weeks so that you have something to put on a cv next year.

AARRRGH

Is there a McDonald's near you?

Pigletlover

It could be your age - supermarkets used to be good places to get your first part-time job, but with their late opening hours they now want people over the age of 18. Maybe try places like your local Spar/Centra, call in and chat to the manager instead of just leaving your CV.

Todoquetengo

hunnymonster wrote: »

Quite a few people get summer jobs through their parents. Could you ask your parents to see if any of their contacts might have something going for the summer. Even if you don't like it, do it for a few weeks so that you have something to put on a cv next year.

Yeah, same as Hunnymonster says, the best way to get your first job is through knowing somebody. Are any of your friends working in places where they could put in a word for you or even one of your teachers might someone looking for help? And keep trying, if you've spoken to the manager and they have your CV then they might think of you when they are stuck.

Good luck anyway

BJC

You shouldn't have much of a problem, I never did. Because you're 16 they can pay you something like 6.50 and 7.79 if you're 17 and only at 18 are you eligible for technical "minimum wage", although most places wont go as low as that. When I was 16 employers loved taking advantage of that. Definitley try Dunnes and Penneys, preferably penneys as they'll pay you minimum wage and if you keep it on through school next year you get pretty decent wage increases. Dunnes will give you 18 year old minimum wage but you might have to work with some dodgy f*ckers, but thats just my experience. Good luck in the hunt. I remember when I was looking for a job because I wanted one and not because I HAD to....keeping in mind this was like 3 years ago.

highlydebased

Thanks for the advice everyone....

I've kept Dunnes in mind but as mentioned there are some "dodgy f*ckers" working there.....and one of my friends worked there but she hated it and left it after a few weeks.... I've tried Tesco twice coincidentally but no luck. Hopefully I'll get something soon enough...

ThE_IVIAcIVIAIV

try small restaurants, they are always lookin for kitchen porters, just wash a few dishes and prep a few veg and you will get a good wage and tips( in most places) the problem you have is that most of these places will hire people they know through their staff/friends, sons of managers friends or friends of other workers etc. thats how alot of them kind of jobs are got. hope this helps.

cork*girl

whatever you do..do not go to a kitchen. worst job ever. well..thats my experience anyway!! :rolleyes: left aftr 4 months:eek:

Heisenberg.

This post has been deleted.

Gone West

Over 70% of Limerick city's inhabitants obtain most of their money illegally.
Perhaps this accounts for your hardships in finding a legitimate job?
At 16, you could already be working your way up the ranks in one of the major crime families, with a four figure income and a healthy class A habit! Get on it man.

Shiny

cork*girl wrote: »

whatever you do..do not go to a kitchen. worst job ever. well..thats my experience anyway!! :rolleyes: left aftr 4 months:eek:

Ironically, working in a kitchen as a porter is more of a man's job.
Its very hard work and you are at the bottom rung of the scale.

I have only seen a few girls doing this job and they weren't Irish.:rolleyes:

mikemac

ThE_IVIAcIVIAIV wrote: »

try small restaurants, they are always lookin for kitchen porters, just wash a few dishes and prep a few veg and you will get a good wage and tips( in most places)

Don't advise the lad to be a kitchen porter :eek:
I've done that job and it's one of the toughest, least thanked and misreable jobs you can get.
Waiting staff get all the tips, managers ignore you, tempermental chefs roar at you and you can be there after midnight with mountains of pots to wash and floors to clean

Try McDonalds OP, seem to have a good reputation as an employer

FuzzyLogic wrote: »

Over 70% of Limerick city's inhabitants obtain most of their money illegally.
Perhaps this accounts for your hardships in finding a legitimate job?
At 16, you could already be working your way up the ranks in one of the major crime families, with a four figure income and a healthy class A habit! Get on it man.

+1
In a few years, you can be a powerful gang boss and you'll be raking in the cash!

kerry4sam

OP i asked my dad to speak with a mate of his when i wanted to start work at 16 and he gave me the job which i held onto for 3years before i left for college. I started at the basics and worked my way up to being handed the keys to the premises at 17 to open and close (pending the shifts i was working).

Ask around. That job i got was not even advertised. He actually wasn't planning on taking anyone on at all. It can't hurt you to ask around. Have a chat with some friends and you may get lucky.

Most hotels will take on seasonal bar-staff so maybe that's an option, glass collecting or something. Anything to get you started and in the door

cork*girl

The Scientist wrote: »

I worked in a kitchen when i was 15 hand washing dishes for a busy hotel. Think i got about £2 (punts) per hour at the time.
If the OP needs a job he/she cant really be that picky.
There are worse jobs out there than Kitchen work, trust me.

thats why i said "thats my experience anyway". because it was drastic. wouldnt have minded it if we were treated properly.. having breaks etc..

cork*girl

micmclo wrote: »

Don't advise the lad to be a kitchen porter :eek:
I've done that job and it's one of the toughest, least thanked and misreable jobs you can get.
Waiting staff get all the tips, managers ignore you, tempermental chefs roar at you and you can be there after midnight with mountains of pots to wash and floors to clean

oh god. I know the feeling. Ugh Chefs :mad:. And you will not get tips. at all.

AARRRGH

micmclo wrote: »

Don't advise the lad to be a kitchen porter :eek:
I've done that job and it's one of the toughest, least thanked and misreable jobs you can get.

Ah I was a kitchen porter for a while and it was grand.

I think it depends on what kind of person you are, and where you're working.

The place where I worked, I was left alone and I could listen to the radio. I like physical work as well, so...

I agree it's **** money though.

Pigwidgeon

i had the same problem last summer (just gone 16) left cvs everywhere and anywhere, asked in places where they didnt have signs up. . . ended up getting one in late august which lasted me through the school year and am getting extra shifts during the summer. think my main problem wasnt my cv, managed to get a good few interviews, it was more the nerves in interviews that let me down.

definately ask your parents and friends if they know anyone. thats how most people i know got jobs.
is there a supervalu near you? the one near me hires people as young as 15 so thats a good option

crouchie15

anyone know any part time jobs available in dublin?

tracker-man

Its no good sending in a CV and waiting about to get the call, if you're looking for a part-time job. I got my first job when I was 14 believe it or not. I was in need of money and I wanted to get a decent wage, not mowing lawns for neighbours etc. I sent CV's to centra shops, and small businesses that might be more likely to take me on than a large store like Tesco. I was fully aware of employment laws I might add. There was one place though, that I was really interested in working and it was only open 3 months. I sent in the CV, no reply, rang up, still no offer for the job, I then went in to the business and met with the boss and told him I'd work for a day without pay for him to see what I was like. I did, and I've been working there ever since I suppose I was a bit lucky but my persuasive powers, charm and persistence paid off in the end. Literally