19 years old and can't get a part-time job - really worried, getting to me.

LegacyUser

Hi,

I'm currently 19 years old, in college and am unable to find a part-time job anywhere and it's beginning to upset me a small bit as I fear that I will never get a job and just be considered worthless to any business.

I tried very hard before Christmas but to no avail and so I decided to do an online TEFL Course just so to feel as if I was doing something productive with my life. Constantly needing to ask my parents for money is getting to me as I feel as if I have no independence at all. Thing is my life is going quite well in other respects, I have fun with my friends, a great girlfriend and my college course and sporting career are progressing well enough.

I just want to have money to go out for something to eat with her if I want to, or to go out with my friends without having to depend on my parents. Who by the way do financially support me in any way they can, and I intend on paying them back quite a large lump sum of money when I've been working full time for a few years. I want to go on holidays for a week or two during the summer and although my parents will probably give me money if I need it I'd rather save myself as I feel worthless as I'm unable to do ANYTHING myself.

See, it's only recently I have the desire to get a job as before that I was almost entirely focused on my sport, to the point where it was all I cared about and my Leaving Cert suffered to a large extent due to this even though I got 370 points. Because of this I have little experience working anywhere and I have a feeling that this is why nobody will hire me My fear is that the longer I go without a job, the more chance nobody will hire me as they will see me as a waster who hasn't bothered working in his life and my friends may begin to think this as well.

I've been exploring alternative ways to make money online such as blogging etc, but am struggling to come up with any profitable ideas.

Does anybody have any ideas which can make my job hunt more productive? Maybe from somebody who hires people on a regular basis? Or even any courses that could be done to further my prospects of getting a job in an industry that has vacancies. I'm desperate here and trying very hard which is the most depressing thing! Does anybody even have any tips as to how to stop myself feeling so glum about it.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Sleepy

Any way of leveraging your sport to make some money? Contacts in the club? Job in the clubhouse bar? etc.

LegacyUser

Nah, that's not an option.

Maybe coaching?

But I have no idea who would hire a 19 year old coach unless it was at least voluntary.

Lola92

Look into doing a coaching course, ask your club would it be possible to get garda vetted through them (you need this to work with children). Voluntary coaching would be a very good idea - looks good on a cv plus its some experience for if you do get qualified as a coach. Look online for a cv template and have a family member look over it and give some suggestions/opinions for improving it (work & jobs forum is also good for this type of advice). Remember any work experience, voluntary or not, listed on a CV is better than none!

It would be ideal if you could get a part time job related to your course subjects but apply for absolutely everything that you can - local shops, newsagents, garages, cinemas, bars, etc. try fas.ie as well they can sometimes have part time vacancies listed. Look through your local paper, keep an eye out for staff wanted notices in windows. Let your family and friends know you are searching for a job - they might know someone who is hiring.

I know how frustrating your situation is OP, I have been there and it is really soul destroying. Best of luck in the search:)

Tea-a-Maria

I would second Lola92's post that any work experience is better than none. I offered to work for a neighbour for free 2 summers ago in return for a good reference, which definitely stood to me when I applied to internships during college.Also,try and get on the committee of any college clubs or societies you're involved in.This looks great on a CV too.

Chin up OP.:)

katemccb

Try getting work with promotions company I was in the same position for the last year but then got work with one companys going into pubs at weekends and it was brillant craic usually be finished by 10 or 11 so you still got time to go out yourself always important. This tied me over until i got more work and eventually got job with my degree. I
have years of experience and struggled to get work just think when your finished college the opportunities it will open.
Another Idea would be get your name down for glass collecting or doing promotion work in nightclubs or pubs for Rag week its not far away now they might keep you on after.
Best luck with your search if you want I can PM you the company I done promo work for.

LegacyUser

It's all well and good saying maybe you should get a job here or here
but there are rarely positions going and are usually given to someone with experience over no experience.

I am 21 now, got really down and was googling 19.then 20 and never had a job
felt like I was going to be worthless and never get work but my worth is not based on a job its an old stigma to be older without having a job when the reality is its not just the experience issue hundreds of thousands of people with more than enough experience that cannot get work either.

But I am telling you now doing free work experience and internships/courses/ free workshops/applying for jobs without feeling emotional pressure
are the best things you can do, I had to stop analysing my life as being a failure because it was coming across in interviews
and I know you want paid work but it is very difficult to answer the "Tell me about a situation where you..[in work]" questions without volunteering experience

Even setting up something for yourself not to make money can be a good route, get involved with your community anything for the cv and to get to know people, I was cold calling places for internships and couldnt get un paid work!!
I was finally offered an internship by doing one day once off event unpaid work because on the job I came off as proficient and friendly but on my cv and interview I've been described as a weirdo with no previous employment (social anxiety)

and one more thing don't feel like you have to figure out your career right now or only go towards thing that will make money or be the best job prospects that is too much pressure perhaps.

qwertytlk

Hi. The best advice i could give to you is to obviously keep job hunting but also in the mean time why not try some volunteer work. Volunteer work looks good on your cv, shows your not a waster, that you have a good work ethic-i.e your willing to work for free and also sounds great in interviews and is something to talk about in an interview as you dont have any previous paid employment experience. Also it will give you some idea of what the working enviornment is like as volunteering is just like a regualr job in every way, except the wages. Another thing you mentiponed is that you feel you havent gotten a job yet as you havent had one before so you think prospective employers wouldnt be bothered with you, well if you volunteer its the same, if not better as paid employment in the eyes of a prospective employer.
I dont know if you have tried it but you could also join fas, they have computers in their offices that advertise a wide variety of jobs. As do recruitment agencys. Recrriitment agencys are good too as they do some interview coaching and skills, which is never a bad thing. You dont mention if you have ever been on a job interview but regardless you should look on line or something for some interview tips and skills as they really are helpful and do work when your in an interview as you do be nervous enough as it is so if you havent done any prep work it only makes it harder.
Dont take it personally as it isnt actually a reflection on you that you havent got a job yet. There are thousands out there with years of experience that cant find work...there just arent that many job opportunities right now. But chin up and keep looking. Best of luck