A Youth's Job Search

General Pengwin

As the title of the thread insinuates, I am a bit on the younger side. Seventeen in fact. My job search has been ongoing since this summer and has been pretty much a complete bust to this point, and seems to continue to be that way. I first started by attempting to apply as a page for the local library, a location in which my grandmother worked and I love. After which I've been constantly filling out online applications to all sorts of companies and places. Best Buy, K-Mart, Staples, pretty much anybody who hires 16+ rather than 18+. Nobody has gotten back to me. I understand that my age is a bit (insert understatement joke here) of an issue in these situations, that some of these companies also require a High School diploma if you are 16, and that with the way things are, it's hard enough for full grown adults to find jobs. However, that does not change the fact that I would like a bit of a consistent income so I can do things every now and then and put money away for later if anything comes up (college, adult life, family emergencies, etc.). I was hoping to buy some gifts for people for Christmas this year, however it's a bit late for that.

I still attend High School and won't be out until June of 2013. As such I'm looking for something part time or weekend based. Minimum wage is obviously fine. Quite indoor work is preferred and attire isn't an issue (I dress in blazers everyday, so almost anything they throw me in will pretty much be more casual than normal). I obviously have basic computer skills as well as more advanced ones. I have a passion for technology and video games (or else I probably wouldn't be on these forums to begin with), as well as literature.

I don't particularly have any "musts" at this point, any suggestions?

Actinguy1

I'm 28 now, so when I was sixteen it was obviously a different economy, but I had no problem finding a job in retail. In fact, all of my friends ended up getting a job at Target, which paid slightly more than minimum wage at the time. How long have you been applying for? Do you have certain hours you can't/won't work (other than when you have school of course)? Contrary to what you're thinking, retail (and fast food for that matter) LOVES hiring high school students because they're more willing to work nights/weekends as they don't have family requirements (generally speaking). The only hesitation they have is that these employees are not always reliable. If you can find a way to suggest you are uber-reliable in your resume.

QuantumTurk

What was key for me getting a job at that age was, do not just wait for them to call you. Put in your application, and then a week later, call, ask for the manager and ask about the status of it. One of the biggest problems these places have is unreliable people, and just by following up you place yourself above a ton of people who didn't. That, and just apply everywhere, it's tough, they don't expect you to be good or work out as young as you are, and there are many older people hunting these same crap jobs right now.
Really, you should consider food service. Food service sucks, terribly, but it does have a paycheck. See about being a server or even working fast food. At this point, a jobs a job.

Actinguy1

Oh, one thing I didn't mention. When I applied to Target the first time, I didn't hear back even though they hired several of my friends at that time. I applied again a month or two later, and got the job. So keep trying!

General Pengwin

QuantumTurk wrote:

What was key for me getting a job at that age was, do not just wait for them to call you. Put in your application, and then a week later, call, ask for the manager and ask about the status of it. One of the biggest problems these places have is unreliable people, and just by following up you place yourself above a ton of people who didn't. That, and just apply everywhere, it's tough, they don't expect you to be good or work out as young as you are, and there are many older people hunting these same crap jobs right now.
Really, you should consider food service. Food service sucks, terribly, but it does have a paycheck. See about being a server or even working fast food. At this point, a jobs a job.

I'll take that into consideration, and I agree with your point that a job is a job.

And no I don't have any hours other than 6A.M. to 2:30 P.M (school time) Monday-Friday when I can't work.

Actinguy1

Also, do you have reliable friends that have a job? Apply there, and mention in the application that you are friends with so-and-so. Obviously, only do this with your reliable friends. Name-dropping somebody who doesn't show up for work, etc, is just shooting yourself in the foot.

General Pengwin

Actinguy1 wrote:

Also, do you have reliable friends that have a job? Apply there, and mention in the application that you are friends with so-and-so. Obviously, only do this with your reliable friends. Name-dropping somebody who doesn't show up for work, etc, is just shooting yourself in the foot.

Unfortunately, all of my friends have jobs off the books. One of my friends has a job with his dad (who is already full), and my other friend had a job over the summer working for a medical supply distributor, but that was during the day so he had to quit when school started back up. Other than that, my friends haven't worked a day in their lives.

Edit: Also, I was thinking applying in person may be a better way to earn a position. Anybody know how true this is?

Lankysean

Try Shoprite or Pathmark, I worked at Shoprite when I was 15 stocking shelves... when I turned 16 they bumped me up to cashier. The good thing about supermarkets is that they always need people and they have the flexibility to offer you as few or as many hours as you want.

General Pengwin

I forgot to mention that I do understand Spanish to an extent. It didn't stick to it's fullest, but I can work minor conversations and understand it pretty well.

oldsak

When I was young I had a job working at the little league concession stand during baseball season and a job as a youth soccer referee during soccer season. Working concessions was minimum wage (and all the free popcorn I could eat!) but reffing paid pretty well. So i guess... look for places where little kids do things.

Aurora Borealis

You might consider going into business for yourself if you want spending money and can't find a job. Are there leaves to be raked in your neighborhood? Snow to shovel? Grass to cut? Kids/cats/plants to babysit? Middle schoolers to tutor in math?
It won't be riches, but if you can get your name out there with some flyers and word of mouth, you'll probably get a few hits.
And when it comes resume writing/college application time, you could do a lot worse than "Pengwin's Landscaping, 2011-2013. Self-employment working yard maintenance for local community. Raked leaves, shoveled snow, mowed lawns dependent on seasonal needs. Set prices to reasonable market rates, maintained accurate logbook of local clients."
For example.

Thanatos

You're kind of fucked.

You're competing for those retail jobs with people who have high school diplomas, don't have a curfew, and don't have limited hours (i.e. aren't going to school). I can't say for sure, but I'm guessing the "self-employment" angle isn't going to be much better, given the state of the economy. The other thing with self-employment is that it requires initial capital, even if that capital is just a snow shovel, a rake, and gas money or a bus pass.

Lindsay Lohan

I would try supermarkets - they often will need baggers or stockers and be a bit more willing to hire younger kids than a department store would be. Also, maybe check fast food places - I know I often see teenagers working there.

My first two jobs were can/bottle sorting at a redemption center and grocery store grunt (I bagged, ran the register, stocked stuff, etc).

Lindsay Lohan

Lindsey Lohan wrote:

I would try supermarkets - they often will need baggers or stockers and may be a bit more willing to hire younger kids than a department store would be. Also, maybe check fast food places - I know I often see teenagers working there.

My first two jobs were can/bottle sorting at a redemption center and grocery store grunt (I bagged, ran the register, stocked stuff, etc).

JebusUD

Concessions jobs. Try theaters. They might hire you to be a popcorn monkey.

Grocery stores usually have more people on later in the day, so that would work around your schooling. Bag groceries or stock shelves.

Most restaurants won't hire you. They want 18 plus because most serve alcohol.

General Pengwin

JebusUD wrote:

Concessions jobs. Try theaters. They might hire you to be a popcorn monkey.

Grocery stores usually have more people on later in the day, so that would work around your schooling. Bag groceries or stock shelves.

Most restaurants won't hire you. They want 18 plus because most serve alcohol.

The local movie theater requires 18+, not to mention it's a fairly decent drive. Probably because as you said, alcohol is served there (not really sure why being there's like 5 other places to get alcohol in the parking lot alone). And I've tried a few grocery stores, most are already full or are actually firing from over-hiring. A Shop Rite recently opened in an old Home Depot down the highway, practically everybody in my school got in working there, and about half a month later, most of them are already gone.

And unfortunately, manual labor in the regard of outdoor landscaping is something I personally suck at. My father almost constantly refuses to even utilize me when he does outdoor work because I'm not good for much other than "courier" tasks, like grabbing something from inside, telling so and so to do this, and a few other tasks. Unless I could somehow convince my much larger and "tougher" (also) brothers to help me out (something they both would quickly hate after multiple jobs), it's not really going to be very practical.

I've been doing some remedial tasks online for some legal and honest cash flow (not a lot, far below minimum when you consider I make roughly $1.50 an hour), but just so I have enough to get my girlfriend something for Christmas and our year anniversary (both are close so we're combining them) and I would feel like more than an ass not getting her anything (especially being I'm pretty sure she overpurchased for me and got the Jim Darkmagic portrait).

I discovered that one of my friend's sisters works at Best Buy so I asked him to ask her to put the good word in for me, not that I think it will do me much good, and I also plan on following up with a phone call afterwards, so I'll see how that goes over.

Thanatos

You are almost certainly not going to get paid before the end of the month if you get a job now that's above-board, so I wouldn't count on that for Christmas.

General Pengwin

Thanatos wrote:

You are almost certainly not going to get paid before the end of the month if you get a job now that's above-board, so I wouldn't count on that for Christmas.

Well we're exchanging January 2nd. So I thought maybe. Besides, even if I'm a little late something is something.

EggyToast

You're also looking at a terrible time, because a lot of people pick up a 2nd job for the holiday season -- the two months between Halloween and Xmas -- in order to earn some extra money. They already work a regular job, so they're filling in the exact time you'd be trying to work, as well.

It doesn't help your xmas situation, but definitely re-apply in 2012.

Pure Din

Babysitting is a decent high school job, but you need a bit of social capital to start. If you volunteer to work with kids through places like boy scouts/ girl scouts or church, than you can pick up some references from the people you volunteer with and start introducing yourself to potential clients. Having additional skills like tutoring, experience working with kids with adhd or aspergers, or taking a child/infant cpr and first aid courses can help you stand out a bit too.

Also babysitting experience is great if you want to work summer camp jobs (though if that's something you're considering for the summer you should really start looking and applying to places now).

JebusUD

General Pengwin wrote:

And unfortunately, manual labor in the regard of outdoor landscaping is something I personally suck at. My father almost constantly refuses to even utilize me when he does outdoor work because I'm not good for much other than "courier" tasks, like grabbing something from inside, telling so and so to do this, and a few other tasks. Unless I could somehow convince my much larger and "tougher" (also) brothers to help me out (something they both would quickly hate after multiple jobs), it's not really going to be very practical.

Take this extra time you have to do pushups and lift some weights. Physical fitness is important even if you end up with a desk job. Most jobs will require you to lift something heavy at some point.

MushroomStick

General Pengwin wrote:

Thanatos wrote:

You are almost certainly not going to get paid before the end of the month if you get a job now that's above-board, so I wouldn't count on that for Christmas.

Well we're exchanging January 2nd. So I thought maybe. Besides, even if I'm a little late something is something.

If you were hired today, the absolute earliest I would believe you could get a paycheck would be Jan 3, or whichever day after that would be the next scheduled payday. Sorry, but if you would've asked in the beginning of October, you might've been able to get some seasonal work. At this point its going to be odd jobs or nothing, I'm afraid.

General Pengwin

MushroomStick wrote:

General Pengwin wrote:

Thanatos wrote:

You are almost certainly not going to get paid before the end of the month if you get a job now that's above-board, so I wouldn't count on that for Christmas.

Well we're exchanging January 2nd. So I thought maybe. Besides, even if I'm a little late something is something.

If you were hired today, the absolute earliest I would believe you could get a paycheck would be Jan 3, or whichever day after that would be the next scheduled payday. Sorry, but if you would've asked in the beginning of October, you might've been able to get some seasonal work. At this point its going to be odd jobs or nothing, I'm afraid.

Like I said, I've been looking for a job since summer, seasonal or part time. I just haven't gotten a bite as difficult as I know it is and I was wondering if I needed to something extra.

JebusUD wrote:

General Pengwin wrote:

And unfortunately, manual labor in the regard of outdoor landscaping is something I personally suck at. My father almost constantly refuses to even utilize me when he does outdoor work because I'm not good for much other than "courier" tasks, like grabbing something from inside, telling so and so to do this, and a few other tasks. Unless I could somehow convince my much larger and "tougher" (also) brothers to help me out (something they both would quickly hate after multiple jobs), it's not really going to be very practical.

Take this extra time you have to do pushups and lift some weights. Physical fitness is important even if you end up with a desk job. Most jobs will require you to lift something heavy at some point.

I wasn't insinuating that I am a floppy noodle incapable of doing anything, I just have a bit of a stamina problem when it comes to prolonged work. I spend roughly half of my day with my grandmother and I help her to the best of my abilities and this usually does involve lifting heavy things (the new fake Christmas tree came the other day and I established it today) so I can do certain things. Not to say that I shouldn't work on my cardio issue regardless but at the moment it's not particularly an option.



I appreciate the help by the way guys, even if I am stubborn or resistant to particular ideas, I am still taking them into consideration. Also, an update to the Best Buy situation, as predicted, they hired roughly 30 people at the beginning of December and they'll be shoving off near the end of January, so once that happens some more positions may open up and my friend's sister agreed to recommend me.

MushroomStick

If you're filling out an application and you get to a question that's something to the effect of "Can you lift 50 pounds over your head repeatedly throughout the day?" and you answer no, that alone immediately puts you in the do not hire pile.

Also, still try for the job, but when those 30 people leave Bestbuy, that's the holiday crew. Those people were leaving by January whether they knew it or not. I'd be surprised if most of them aren't laid off by the day after Christmas. You're not going to like this, but your best bet is going to be places like McDonalds, Subway, Jimmy Johns, Burger King, etc. and so forth.

Klein

Fast food might be an option. It is hell, but it is a jab. I worked it for 3.5 years in high school and I would never go back, but it got me a bit of cash.

Just keep looking for jobs if you do get a mcjob.

MegaMan001

Your writing suggests that you're a pretty well spoken guy. I'd show up to some of these locations a week after you put in your application (dressed in the aforementioned blazer) and see what happens.

The problem with online applications is they end up in someone's mailbox, somewhere, who goes through the stacks to put them in order of interest based on whatever it is they want you to do.

A real quick way to get to the top of that list is to actually show up (or call, or whatever) so when they go through the stack they say, "Why, that General Pengwin! I remember that chap. He dressed in a fine blazer and spoke well."

I'm not being facetious, here. You seem to be able to communicate well and apparently you dress cleanly and conservatively - that is a huge asset you're not using.

General Pengwin

Yeah the Fast Food industry was pretty much my last resort and I was hoping it wouldn't come to that, but it seems that it might. If I can't get something in the relatively near future I'll probably try something along those lines. I'll probably shoot for Subway or somewhere I at least think to be a bit more. Clean? (Also, what's a Jimmy John's? I live on Long Island where we have about two strands of every major chain. We only got a Denny's last year, Pizza Huts, Carl Jr.'s, Jack in the Box's, In & Out's, etc. are all but existent)

And somebody else recommended I call or show up again about a week after sending my application in. I thought it was a good idea so I'll probably start doing that too.

Thanks again guys.