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Working for free to gain experience?

  • 04-07-2014 8:11pm
    #1
    DublinArnie
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,823 ✭✭✭


    Hey!

    I'm a 16 year old student. I've been looking around, and ALL the catering/waiter jobs require previous experience. I have no previous experience, and of course can't get any. Just been thinking, what does the employer/business have to lose if they hire me for free? just to gain experience over the summer? Do you people think this is alright as in my perception, I don't see what the employer has to lose if they hire me for free. Would it also be legal? to work for free at this age.

    Thanks for taking your time to read this. :D


Comments

  • #2
    Gunslinger92
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,901 ✭✭✭Gunslinger92


    My little sister, when she was in 4th year, went into a local cafe and got some work experience over the Easter holidays. They brought her back in the summer then and paid her. So yes, it could be worth a shot :)


  • #3
    Greenmachine
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,063 ✭✭✭Greenmachine


    Gunslinger92 wrote: »
    My little sister, when she was in 4th year, went into a local cafe and got some work experience over the Easter holidays. They brought her back in the summer then and paid her. So yes, it could be worth a shot :)

    Go for some like a theatre too might be a good option.


  • #4
    tenifan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 523 ✭✭✭tenifan


    DublinArnie wrote: »
    Just been thinking, what does the employer/business have to lose if they hire me for free?

    Would it also be legal? to work for free at this age.

    What they have to lose.. Well they probably have less to gain than you might think. Training take time and new people make mistakes and can get in the way.

    Bit if you're able to find an employer who will take you on, more power to you. Nothing in the law to prevent you working for free though there are restrictions on working hours which may apply, and no doubt your employer will worry about "insurance".

    Don't give up on looking for paid employment either. The key is to get in front of an employer so keep visiting local businesses. Don't just post in cv's.


  • #5
    the_syco
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,316 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    If working for free, get into somewhere that you'd enjoy doing. Doing something for free that you dislike would be soul destroying, and you'd probably not last long before you throw in the towel (one or two paid jobs whilst in my teens I only stuck for the cash).


  • #6
    denlaw
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 406 ✭✭denlaw


    My old fella used to say that you'll always be busy if you work for nowt..
    Why don't you ask a charity shop/cafe, at least you'll be giving something back...years ago my youngest sister got a job for the summer working in a alcohol/drug abuse centre not far from where we live, she loved it, to cut a long story blah blah blah, she went of to uni that yr, got her degree and went working in a big financial firm, turned out one of the senior directors was a guest after going through really tough time following the death of his only child through cancer, he remembered her cause she good to him just by getting him fags and a paper in the morning, her career has gone from strength to strength to strength since...


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  • #7
    K4t
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,362 ✭✭✭K4t


    Great story^ Restores faith.


  • #8
    Fluorescence
    Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 8,490 Mod ✭✭✭✭Fluorescence


    If you want to work for free, volunteer with a local charity. It may be difficult to find one who'll take you if you're under 18 but there's a very good chance that no employer will touch your offer of free work at 16. It's too much hassle for them and honestly a bit sketchy. With a charity you'll get good experience, help out a good cause and not be giving away your precious time for nothing in return. Seriously. I would not do a minimum wage job for free and you shouldn't either - don't sell yourself short!

    And all the while keep trying local shops and businesses for paid employment, but bear in mind it is tough even if you have experience.


  • #9
    DublinArnie
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,823 ✭✭✭DublinArnie


    Hey guys, planning to apply to a few bakeries around city centre (did work experience at one and loved it) for hopefully some paid work. What do you think? is there any qualifications stopping me?


  • #10
    Recondite49
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,004 ✭✭✭Recondite49


    DublinArnie wrote: »
    Hey!

    I'm a 16 year old student. I've been looking around, and ALL the catering/waiter jobs require previous experience. I have no previous experience, and of course can't get any. Just been thinking, what does the employer/business have to lose if they hire me for free? just to gain experience over the summer? Do you people think this is alright as in my perception, I don't see what the employer has to lose if they hire me for free. Would it also be legal? to work for free at this age.

    Thanks for taking your time to read this. :D

    Oh Arnie, if we only had a few more like you. Yes go for it my boy! :)


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