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Post by twoboyzmom on Aug 1, 2017 12:22:47 GMT
18 yo son trying for first job. Had 2 places we thought were a sure bet (knew owners) but never heard , so he is looking...
Having crap luck so far (being too picky I think) but my question, what do you put on applications if it's first jobs??? Yes he has some experience being he's helped with family businesses over the years, but still...it seems some places see "first job" and shy away?
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Deleted
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May 18, 2024 20:55:19 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2017 12:31:50 GMT
18 yo son trying for first job. Had 2 places we thought were a sure bet (knew owners) but never heard , so he is looking... Having crap luck so far (being too picky I think) but my question, what do you put on applications if it's first jobs??? Yes he has some experience being he's helped with family businesses over the years, but still...it seems some places see "first job" and shy away? Not sure what he is putting in for but my guess is the problem is more likely the expected hours of availability. It is too late in the summer for the standard high school/college jobs. Those are already filled and will be until the start of the school year. With no experience and no education he needs to apply for anything and everything. If I had an 18 year old show up for a job interview I'd expect to hear he is leaving for college in about a month. |
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Post by twoboyzmom on Aug 1, 2017 12:33:45 GMT
18 yo son trying for first job. Had 2 places we thought were a sure bet (knew owners) but never heard , so he is looking... Having crap luck so far (being too picky I think) but my question, what do you put on applications if it's first jobs??? Yes he has some experience being he's helped with family businesses over the years, but still...it seems some places see "first job" and shy away? Not sure what he is putting in for but my guess is the problem is more likely the expected hours of availability. It is too late in the summer for the standard high school/college jobs. Those are already filled and will be until the start of the school year. With no experience and no education he needs to apply for anything and everything. If I had an 18 year old show up for a job interview I'd expect to hear he is leaving for college in about a month. He isn't looking for part time summer. Not starting school in the fall. |
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Post by Merge on Aug 1, 2017 12:36:17 GMT
I think the "too picky" thing is real. My 16 yo has a very part-time job that she kind of fell into because her friend's mom owns the store. She really could have used more hours this summer, but none of the places that appeared to be hiring were "right" for her. Next summer we're not paying for her gas any more, so she'll have a little more incentive to find and take a job that isn't quite "right." I worked plenty of uncool/unlikeable jobs at her age.
If he's had some experience in your family business, I would put that down. The types of businesses that tend not to mind first job holders won't care - fast food, big-box retail, etc.
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May 18, 2024 20:55:19 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2017 12:36:34 GMT
Not sure what he is putting in for but my guess is the problem is more likely the expected hours of availability. It is too late in the summer for the standard high school/college jobs. Those are already filled and will be until the start of the school year. With no experience and no education he needs to apply for anything and everything. If I had an 18 year old show up for a job interview I'd expect to hear he is leaving for college in about a month. He isn't looking for part time summer. Not starting school in the fall. But the perception from an employer's point of view is, he is looking for part time summer work and will be leaving for school in the fall. He may have better luck closer to the start of the school year when students are leaving for school to show he isn't leaving. When it comes to job hunting perception is always stronger than reality. He can say whatever he wants about staying... the employers perceive otherwise. |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Aug 1, 2017 12:54:01 GMT
I second the being picky thing. My sister's kids were SO picky about where they even applied. If it wasn't a "cool" job, they didn't want it. Fast food? Heck no! Retail? Are you kidding me? Unless it was someplace like a high end motorcycle shop, they weren't interested. And then there was the thought that if it didn't pay at least $12-15 an hour, it wasn't worth their time--for kids that had NO work experience other than babysitting! I know that in their case, it was their parents feeding into that one because my sister would say, "$8 an hour won't even pay for her gas!"  Those kids were the epitome of entitled. I would say that if he can't find a job with the skills he has, perhaps volunteering for a time somewhere to get some additional skills that he can put on his resumé might help. While volunteering doesn't pay monetarily, he would gain some valuable work experience and it could open up some new groups of people to network with as well. It's better than sitting home playing video games. I would also add to his resumé any type of leadership activities he participated in at school, involvement with team sports, church teen groups, etc. |
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Post by just PEAchy on Aug 1, 2017 13:05:10 GMT
Is he calling back the places where he's applied/interviewed? He really should be doing that. When my 16 yr old got his first job, he called them if he didn't hear from them in a week. For the job he ended up getting, he even walked back in the place (fast food) to talk to the manager and was hired on the spot.
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Post by worrywart on Aug 1, 2017 13:12:11 GMT
Been there! Couple of things...I would put any work experience he has on the app even if it was seasonal/PT/temp with the family business.
He should start applying everywhere - including grocery stores, retail etc...at this point he needs to get work experience. If he takes a retail job, for example, and in a few months something else comes along he can make a change at that point. Good luck!!
Adding, I agree with justpeachy. If he doesn't hear something within a week, he needs to go up and introduce himself to the manager. That will show them that he is serious and wants to work there. |
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Post by idahomom on Aug 1, 2017 13:18:26 GMT
My daughter wasn't hearing back from any businesses either as she had no prior experience. She just turned 17 last week. I suggested she list her volunteer job down. As soon as we were back from our vacation she applied to an old fashioned candy and ice cream shop in a cool part of downtown, listing her volunteer job, and a day before turning 17. She was called immediately and was offered the job at her interview. She was told that her resume was impressive and they were hoping she would accept the job before they even met her. She goes to a college prep high school, earning her International Baccalaureate Degree as well as a CNA license. She has been volunteering at a small nursing home. Her first day of work is today.  |
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Post by JustCallMeMommy on Aug 1, 2017 13:56:38 GMT
Did you put his resume in the hands of these two owners you know and make sure they know he isn't going to school?
Is he looking for a real job, or is he looking for a typical teen retail/restaurant type job? When I was hiring for retail jobs, we got ton of applicants when we weren't hiring. His best bet - apart from networking with people you/he already know - is to watch for ads and respond to them promptly, in person (if that is an option in the ad - follow the instructions), and dressed appropriately (no shorts or jeans - khakis and a nice shirt are great for dropping off a resume).
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Post by needmysanity on Aug 1, 2017 14:04:00 GMT
Can he volunteer some place while he is looking? Both of my sons volunteered during the summer (high school requirement to graduate) and it helped them land their first paid job. My oldest volunteered at SPCA and the youngest at Parks and Rec. We made them commit to a regular schedule and at the end of the summer both got very nice letters of recommendation Even if it's 1-2 shifts a week - it may help him build that resume a bit.
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Post by leannec on Aug 1, 2017 14:09:41 GMT
The City of Calgary runs a Youth Employment Centre where people aged 16-24 can come in and get help with their resumes, interview skills and some connections to possible employers ... my dd#1 got her job at Starbucks through this service  Maybe check and see if your city has a similar program |
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Post by gmcwife1 on Aug 1, 2017 18:36:27 GMT
Well, my dd's first resume was something like 2 pages long before she even had a first job  She put all her volunteer work, 4-H and school activities and achievements. I have no idea what she put on her last one, but she did get a job at Red Lobster using it so I'm guessing she improved it a bit. She had to interview 3 times for a hostess job and because of 4-H and DECA she did really well at her interviews. I'll have to ask to see her resume thought |
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Those kids were the epitome of entitled.
She put all her volunteer work, 4-H and school activities and achievements.