Any advice about finding a job as a teen?

kingsley16

Been looking for a job since I turned 16 last february and i'm 17 now.
Through out the whole summer of 2008 I went around dropping cv's in places i thought would give jobs to teenagers. That didn't work at all, and i'd say I gave out around 30 cv's during my summer holiday. Then between november and december i tried again and still no hope.
So I just waited till I turned 17 to try for the third time, but obviously finding a job was going to be even harder due to the current state of the economy.
Instead of people getting jobs they are starting to lose them, so I don't see how a 17 year old is suppose to get a job. Don't want to go into too much details but I really need a job and i've tried everything I could. I even got advice from my councller in school and nothing seems to help at all. I only live with my mum and it's hard watching her paying all those bills etc and then on top of all that she has to take care of me too. She works hard every single day and i'm so proud of her. I would really like to help her by getting a part time job (cause i'm still in school) no matter how hard the job is i'll do it as long as i'm being paid a decent wage you would expect a teenager to be getting paid. Anyways if anyone has any positive and helpful advice please tell me cause i'm starting to lose hope at this point.:eek:

P.S this website is great! i recently joined and when ever I post a thread I always get some really good advices from some really great people and i'd just like to say thanks to those who are always helping, you guy are great!

LegacyUser

Hey, 30 CV's is nothing... Walk into EVERY shop, ask to speak to the manager and hand him your CV explaining that you are looking for your first job and would really appreciate it if he had anything to keep you in mind.

You will need to give out 200+ CV's before you can expect anything

I did this at 17. Went into the town and walked into every shop/restaurant/bar until finally someone offered me a job. It took about 70 CV's and that was before the current ****ty situation we are in now.

CodeMonkey

You probably have more luck in the work and jobs forum.
http://boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=10

lolli

op,

i worked every year for the County Council when i was in secondary school and college . Good experience too. You need to send your cv in around now though.

jelly&icecream

lolli wrote: »

op,

i worked every year for the County Council when i was in secondary school and college . Good experience too. You need to send your cv in around now though.

Getting these council summer jobs is very tricky unless you are closely related to someone working in the council offices or Daddy/Mammy is a TD/councillor, at least were I am from. It may be different in Dublin or larger regional centers. There's no harm in applying anyhow.

As the above posters have said, blanketing your area with CVs and walking into places and actually talking to the people who do the hiring and firing is key. Don't be afraid to sell yourself!

Also its a good idea to let family and friends know you're looking so that they can put out the feelers aswell. Sometimes people are more receptive when there's someone they know who has "vouched" for the person so to speak. Makes the whole thing less impersonal

Good Luck!

Joey the lips

Hi OP i have no positive advice so many people are out of work its bad out there.

If your still in school and thinking of going to college there is a summerwork scheme in operation, but you have to be finished your leaving cert and going to college. The usual

Bar Work
Car Wash
Paperround
Milk Round

Will all be taken by people more desperate than you - sorry

You might be able to get a job as a model be it with an agency or with fas

Best of luck

rantyface

I'm a student too, but I've found ways to make money without doing the usual waitressing etc. I finished all my grades in piano so I give lessons, and I give chemistry grinds too. Babysitting is very good money and you can do your homework. They all pay way more than normal jobs, which is great because I don't have much time to work.

Apply for work experience in a few places if you can't get paid work. It still looks good on your CV, helps you decide what to do and they might then give you a job, or some money for your work.

As people are saying, it's always been hard to get your first job unless you know someone who can get you one.

Piste

Keep giving out CV, everywhere you can. Mention to people that you're looking for work. My dad mentioned it to my neighbour and I ended up with a cushy summer job. In youre in 4th or 5th year you might be able to work as a reader or scribe in the Junior or Leaving certs for students who can't write or have difficulty reading.

Put up ads around your local area for babysitting. Every time you see a "staff wanted" sign send in a CV.

Also don't include your DOB on your CV, if you're under 18 you'll pretty much be automatically excluded by potential employers, but if they see you and you look older than 18 and your DOB doesn't say otherwise then you're more likely to be hired.

lolli

jelly&icecream wrote: »

Getting these council summer jobs is very tricky unless you are closely related to someone working in the council offices or Daddy/Mammy is a TD/councillor, at least were I am from.
!

Ok yes you are right about that :P

OneArt

Go to a place and bug the **** out of them until they give you a job.

That's the only way I ended up with my first job. And I didn't give a CV (but I gave out CVs for all the places which didn't even both calling me back).

Pigwidgeon

everyone really goes through this i think when they're trying to get their first job, unless they know someone.
i spent the entire of about march - september 2007 handing CVs everywhere and anywhere, i even went into places that didn't have signs up, and asked, some of them are hiring but just don't put signs in the window.

i ended up going to about 5 interviews before i got a job and have been there since.
just keep trying it's the only way to do it, best of luck to you!

Otis Driftwood

Hi OP.Its going to be very tough trying to get anything.Ive been on the Nat King Cole since December and I have 10 years experience and a degree but hang in there.
If you fail to get employed by someone have you thought about working for yourself?
It will depend on the size of the area you live in but how about going door to door and offering services like mowing lawns,washing windows/cars,cleaning gutters etc.
I did that for a summer myself when I was around your age.It can be tedious and the pay might not be great but its excellent for building a rapport with your neighbours and can make them realise that not every 17 year old is a trouble making scobe!
Plus,I dunno about you but for me its very hard to beat the smell of freshly cut grass on a hot summers day.Better than been stuck in a stuffy shop or stacking shelves in Tesco.(not that there is anything wrong with that in the slightest BTW)

Zaph

Probably better suited to the Work & Jobs forum

Moved from PI