A Plea For Help
<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?
Anybody have any experiences or tips on first time employment?
Comments
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.
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.
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.
<!--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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
My family owns three and soon four waste disposal companies and working that kinda stuff itsnt my cup of tea =/
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.
I don't think it's his ONLY hope, but it would help.
And to agree with what others have said, dress nicely, be friendly.
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.
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-->
The McEmpire lives again!
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.
depot you think theyll hire me even tho i have never had a job?
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.