i am a 16 year old male and i would like to get a job but i am having extreme difficulty in finding a job. i have tried applying to numerous places but it seems it is ineffective. i applied at an ice cream place called Marble Slab and i attended a group interview. the manager did not really ask any questions in particular it was more like a group activity. i applied at marshalls also, i went to the interview and she interviewed me and she ended up telling me that she already had two minors working under her and that she did not want any more. i mad an account on snag a job. com and i applied online but i have not gotten any response from the employers. I am grave need of some advice that will help me find a job as soon as possible, I preferably do not want to apply at a fast food joint because I do not like the environment involving the fast food industry. Advice would be greatly appreciated on methods to find a job for a 16 year old. I also wondering when I attend the job interviews should I not be wearing denim jeans instead like a pair of slacks??
finding a job...in need of help !!!
By andr3w - Posted on February 15th, 2008
The first job is always the hardest. Having had a few myself, allow me to pass down a bit of wisdom:
-First red flag: Never, ever, ever wear jeans to an interview. Even if they're really nice, that's a death sentence. Wear slacks and a nice button up shirt. You won't need a suit at this level of employment, but you want to dress for success. Make sure you're well groomed (clean haircut, shaved/neat facial hair), and if you have any sort of facial piercings or ear gauges you will want to remove those for the interview and likely for work.
-You won't hear back from most places. So apply everywhere. Go into strip malls and apply at every store you can. Apply at grocery stores. Apply at restaurants. You may end up with a crappy job for your first one, but look at it this way: It pays the bills. Stick with it for a few months, then try seeking an alternative. Experience will make all the difference.
-Try not to be too picky on your schedule. People don't want to hire an employee that can only work two days a week. Try to be available as many days as you can, ESPECIALLY on weekends. Weekends are generally hard to keep staffed. Mornings as well, but I assume you are in school.
_With the group interviews, the key is to make yourself stand out in a positive way. If you don't have the personality to stand up and stand out, you want to avoid these. They're looking for people who are friendly and confident.
Lastly, I hand down a list of jobs that aren't THAT bad for first jobs:
-Pizza. It's food, but you will certainly get some amusing stories. Was my first job.
-Cafe/Coffee Shop. Especially if it isn't a chain like Starbucks. Good if you're social, and not too hard.
-Bagger/Stocker at grocery store. Grocery stores pay pretty decently, and most of them are unionized.
Good luck. Let me know if you need any more help on your job hunt.
Try your local library. The library chain where I live is looking for a whole bunch of people to fill basic positions, and as long as you're 16 and can make the hours, they'll consider you. It's likely rather intense labor, but beggars can't be choosers.
~C
Check out the latest entry in the Between The Lines column!
Excellent advice from Paquette, One thing I would definately do is check with all of your friends, even the fake friends (you know what Im talking about, the people who always put on that fake smile and say hello to you, but never have a real conversation with you), and ask these people if they know somewhere you can work. You'll find that getting a job is much easier if you use friends for connections.
Also it wouldn't hurt to attach a letter of recomendation from a teacher or someone you know that has a bit of weight with their job title such as a pharmacist or a doctor.
Finally, beggars cannot be choosers you must apply for every job for that first one. Company's want to know that your dependable.
Good luck