A Plea For Help

Rapier7Rapier7 Join Date: 2004-02-05 Member: 26108Members
<div class="IPBDescription">In Getting A Job</div> I'm currently 17 years old and unemployed. I need a part time job to pay for some expenses and also to have a bit of discretionary income. I've tried applying everywhere, K-mart, theatres, random stores, gas station (with a for hire sign, and STILL no callback), and I've got no idea what to do or what to expect.

Anybody have any experiences or tips on first time employment?

Comments

  • Crono5Crono5 Join Date: 2003-07-22 Member: 18357Members
    Don't steal from your employer.
  • docchimpydocchimpy Join Date: 2003-07-19 Member: 18266Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Rapier7+Jun 26 2005, 11:22 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Rapier7 @ Jun 26 2005, 11:22 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I'm currently 17 years old and unemployed. I need a part time job to pay for some expenses and also to have a bit of discretionary income. I've tried applying everywhere, K-mart, theatres, random stores, gas station (with a for hire sign, and STILL no callback), and I've got no idea what to do or what to expect.

    Anybody have any experiences or tips on first time employment? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I'm in the same boat, except I'm sixteen. My friends with jobs tell me that the best thing to do is just keep putting applications everywhere. :S

    Sorry if I wasn't much help.
  • StewieStewie Join Date: 2003-08-03 Member: 18795Members
    Don't accept "Don't call us, we'll call you" BS. Call them if they never call you back.

    And of course, use your network. Ask friends and family if they know companies that are hiring. It's how I got my current job.
  • ThaldarinThaldarin Alonzi&#33; Join Date: 2003-07-15 Member: 18173Members, Constellation
    Local job centre/employment office is the best route. In England we have these cool touch screen things to search for jobs.
  • DepotDepot The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
    Good advice from the Stew man ... let them know you're interested even if they dont call ya (that got me my job at HD).

    The bad news is, it's summertime, and summertime means hundreds of kids out of school for the summer are all looking for jobs. When you apply, remember: you have to be honest but sell yourself well - they want to know (even though they don't say it) why they should hire YOU and not Bob or Carol or Ted or Alice.
  • KGB_GaralKGB_Garal Join Date: 2005-06-09 Member: 53476Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->- they want to know (even though they don't say it) why they should hire YOU and not Bob or Carol or Ted or Alice.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    <!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Don't accept "Don't call us, we'll call you" BS. Call them if they never call you back.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Call them back.. or better yet go in person. Really push the point that you want to work there.. go back again and again to talk to the manager and let them know who you are and what type of person you are.
  • DOOManiacDOOManiac Worst. Critic. Ever. Join Date: 2002-04-17 Member: 462Members, NS1 Playtester
    What Stewie and Depot said.

    It really is not what you know, but who you know, so knowing someone who works at a place that needs help can really help to land you a good job, unless of course they're a horrible employee in which case they won't hire you because you would likely be the same by association.

    Also, don't get discouraged. I think I had to apply at 20 places before I got my first job.
  • DaJMastaDaJMasta Join Date: 2005-01-10 Member: 34750Members, Constellation
    One not so odd policy of many employers is to emphasize age above all else until they are 20 or so. They cannot tell the level of maturity of each individual person, so they generalize by age.

    The best idea really is to call them, it shows genuine want to work, and some level of maturity, not just accepting whatever comes along.
  • Nil_IQNil_IQ Join Date: 2003-04-15 Member: 15520Members
    Apply to EVERYWHERE.

    Even the places to which you thought at first "Heh, I might be desperate but i'd NEVER work at insert-fast-food-chain-here."

    If they offer you a job, you don't have to take it, you can always hold out for a better job, and use them as a fall-back. Also it gives you valuble work experience which means next time they're far more likely to hire you rather than newbie Mcredshirt.
  • [WHO]Them[WHO]Them You can call me Dave Join Date: 2002-12-11 Member: 10593Members, Constellation
    Two things can go a very long way.

    1. Dress up a bit. Don't sacrifice style and look like a retarded monkey in a suit or anything. But if you were to be put into a lineup of 100 of your classmates. The amount of attention payed to you based solely on how you look that day should be very far above average.

    2. If you're going for entry level at a place that's known for it's entry level jobs (retail, food service, etc...), then you HAVE to realize that the person doing the first stage of hiring is usually lazy (either just specifically for hiring, or in general). So you have to make the decision EASY for them without getting on their nerves.

    This means that you have to make sure that they know you're going to be on time, not have attitude problems, and are going to be trustworthy. And they have to know all of that before they read a single word off of your application/cover letter. This is one of the reasons why knowing someone already working there usually makes you a shoe-in. It's just so very easy to hire a clone of a good worker.
  • the_holethe_hole Join Date: 2004-01-03 Member: 25019Members, Constellation
    I'm 17, and just flew out to Nevada to work with my uncle in a small countertop business... The boss is cool, and there is only 1 other worker besides me, my uncle, and my boss... The pay is good, because it's a small but worthy business with all of the new houses going up out here. You need countertops and entertainment centers, especially when you're rich and retired ;-)

    9 an hour is excellent pay, minimum wage where I live (Pennsylvania) is 5.15, so it's more than all my friends make, and when I get home next month I'll have over 2K in my pocket.

    I got lucky, because my uncle has been doing this for a long time, and showed me everything I need to know, and my dad owned 2 businesses in this line, so I was familiar with it to start.


    Best bet - Work with the family, get a job with your relatives to start out.. always a plus.
  • Mad_ManMad_Man Join Date: 2003-06-13 Member: 17359Members, Constellation
    Id rather not work waste disposal =/
    My family owns three and soon four waste disposal companies and working that kinda stuff itsnt my cup of tea =/
  • CMEastCMEast Join Date: 2002-05-19 Member: 632Members
    I presume you have friends right? If so then either they have a job, <i>their</i> friends have jobs or their parents have jobs or...

    You get the idea, best to get a basic 'at least its money' job, preferably through the network as that is pretty much the only way you'll stand out.

    Also, as T H E M says, look presentable, look bright, look friendly. Imagine you were going out with their daughter, that should do it. However in that line of 100 kids, no matter how smart you are one of them will know one of the people already in that job and so they are already lightyears ahead of the competition.

    Nepotism is your only hope at first.
  • DepotDepot The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-CMEast+Jun 26 2005, 07:19 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (CMEast @ Jun 26 2005, 07:19 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Nepotism is your only hope at first. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I don't think it's his ONLY hope, but it would help.
  • im_lostim_lost TWG Rule Guru Join Date: 2003-04-26 Member: 15861Members
    Talk with the manager, in person, or at least someone that is involved with hiring. Give them something positive to remember you by. If you've done some project at school that took a lot of work, then it could be good to mention. If you are part of an organization where you have put in a lot of dedication and work, then that would be good to mention. I got my first job simply by bringing up to the manager that I was taking Differential Equations at the community college while I was in high school.

    And to agree with what others have said, dress nicely, be friendly.
  • CMEastCMEast Join Date: 2002-05-19 Member: 632Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Depot+Jun 27 2005, 12:22 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Depot @ Jun 27 2005, 12:22 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-CMEast+Jun 26 2005, 07:19 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (CMEast @ Jun 26 2005, 07:19 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Nepotism is your only hope at first. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I don't think it's his ONLY hope, but it would help. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Ok, you're right. Sexual favours work pretty well too.
  • Nil_IQNil_IQ Join Date: 2003-04-15 Member: 15520Members
    And if all else fails, there's always room for another McSlave.
  • DepotDepot The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-CMEast+Jun 26 2005, 07:42 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (CMEast @ Jun 26 2005, 07:42 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Depot+Jun 27 2005, 12:22 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Depot @ Jun 27 2005, 12:22 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-CMEast+Jun 26 2005, 07:19 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (CMEast @ Jun 26 2005, 07:19 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Nepotism is your only hope at first. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I don't think it's his ONLY hope, but it would help. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Ok, you're right. Sexual favours work pretty well too. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    QFT! <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • Cold_NiTeCold_NiTe Join Date: 2003-09-15 Member: 20875Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Nil IQ+Jun 26 2005, 06:44 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Nil IQ @ Jun 26 2005, 06:44 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> And if all else fails, there's always room for another McSlave. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    The McEmpire lives again!
  • RoverRover blargh Join Date: 2003-09-23 Member: 21139Members
    Err...me & my gf work parttime at my mom's work...try to use connections I guess ?
  • BaconTheoryBaconTheory Join Date: 2003-09-06 Member: 20615Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Rapier7+Jun 26 2005, 11:22 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Rapier7 @ Jun 26 2005, 11:22 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I'm currently 17 years old and unemployed. I need a part time job to pay for some expenses and also to have a bit of discretionary income. I've tried applying everywhere, K-mart, theatres, random stores, gas station (with a for hire sign, and STILL no callback), and I've got no idea what to do or what to expect.

    Anybody have any experiences or tips on first time employment? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Well where do you live? I can;t really give you much advice unless you happen to live in Bucks County in PA. My only advide to you is to put in as many applications as possible.
  • ChronoChrono Local flyboy Join Date: 2003-08-05 Member: 18989Members
    speaking of looking for a job today i applied for the home depot i hear its a good job to have

    depot you think theyll hire me even tho i have never had a job?
  • DepotDepot The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Chrono+Jun 26 2005, 10:04 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Chrono @ Jun 26 2005, 10:04 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->speaking of looking for a job today i applied for the home depot i hear its a good job to have

    depot you think theyll hire me even tho i have never had a job?<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    It's possible, especially as they are nearing the end of their busiest season (at least in these parts). Their interviews are VERY structured so think your answers out carefully. The HRM is normally the one that hires and conducts the interviews, so they're the ones to keep in touch with.

    Take whatever position you can get, because if you work out well they'll transfer you elsewhere down the line. The lot guys probably have the toughest job, helping to load vehicles and round up carts and buggies. They're a good company to work for, being the second largest retailer in the U.S., but it's hard work.
  • reasareasa Join Date: 2002-11-10 Member: 8010Members, Constellation
    Be an Illegal Immigrant.
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