First job advice?

[Liva]

I'm currently 17, and ridiculously, I don't have a job yet. :( I really regret not applying when I was able to age-wise, and so I really wanna conquer this because 1. I don't want to live off my parents anymore, and 2. If I don't get one soon, no one will want to hire a 18+ person with hardly any experience right?

That leads onto my questions, what do you think I should do for experience (I don't think I'm able to do work experience through college) so that my resume looks more appealing?

And what can I do personally that will help as well? (Like confidence tips, I have major social anxiety hence why I haven't handed any resumes in anywhere)

I'm planning to do my RSA through school, plus a barista course. & talking to a career person at school as well. I've also done front of house (ushering and sales) for school.

FIRST JOB PLACE SUGGESTIONS WILL BE APPRECIATED TOO. :)


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[Sian]

Well, at 17 it's harder to get into waitressing and some shop jobs now due to alcohol and stuff? (I could be completely wrong though). Which country do you live in (if you don't mind me asking?).

Otherwise if it I'd just a temp first job, try the coffee shops and high street stores.

[Matt]

I got my first job 2 years a go in a newsagents and sold lotto and newspapers etc. It was really good for experience and if you can stick with your first job for a good length of time, it shows future employers you're committed. I left my job at the end of February this year due to me being in Year 12 but it's now something to put on my CV as experience. I think being a waitress (although I can't say i've done it haha) is a good one and I know a few people in my year who work in restaurants and they love it. Of course there is the fast food chains and working/preparing food but I personally could think of nothing worse.

In terms of your social anxiety, don't let that stop you. I'm sure when you're applying for jobs they'll see you're still quite young (in terms of entering the workforce) and as long as you show you are enthusiastic and show some confidence, you'll be a perfect contender. A majority of places want casual staff and I think getting casual work with only a few hours per week is great because then if you don't like it, you're only there for a short amount of time per week and you can just see it as a way of gaining money and experience. After all, it's not going to be forever! Definitely dealing with the public is a good move as it will help your improve your social skills too. When I started my job at 15, I was really shy, but once I got to meet regular people each week and got familiar with the place and staff, It was great.

Make a move now and get one before it gets even later. I'd say going around local places first and handing your resume to the manager/staff so they can see you in person is also something worth trying. I think getting a job will help in a lot of areas (including socially, financially and with your independence too) and you'll feel really good once you know you're starting to do things for yourself.

Goodluck :)

[Zak]

I'm currently 17, and ridiculously, I don't have a job yet. :( I really regret not applying when I was able to age-wise, and so I really wanna conquer this because 1. I don't want to live off my parents anymore, and 2. If I don't get one soon, no one will want to hire a 18+ person with hardly any experience right?

That leads onto my questions, what do you think I should do for experience (I don't think I'm able to do work experience through college) so that my resume looks more appealing?

And what can I do personally that will help as well? (Like confidence tips, I have major social anxiety hence why I haven't handed any resumes in anywhere)

I'm planning to do my RSA through school, plus a barista course. & talking to a career person at school as well. I've also done front of house (ushering and sales) for school.

FIRST JOB PLACE SUGGESTIONS WILL BE APPRECIATED TOO. :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My first job was in a pub and I had no experience what so ever.

I wouldn't worry too much about experience on your C.V. for your first job. Try doing some volunteer work for experience (and then buff it up to make yourself look good) and put some awards on there (for example I won Computing Student of the Year, so I've included that on my C.V. ever since).

For most first jobs if you get selected for an interview that's when it will matter. If you come across well in your interview and they think you will be well suited to the job they're way more likely to hire you. I was at College when I applied for a job at Morrisons, which I was rejected for first time, so I re-applied and got the job second time round. Persistence a lot of the time pays off - (If you know you'll be perfect for a certain job) keep trying even if they reject you.

I'm quite a shy person but I believe in my ability which is probably why I've never been out of work.

To summarise bars/restaurants/supermarkets are good starter places because of their flexible hours.

[Liva]

I got my first job 2 years a go in a newsagents and sold lotto and newspapers etc. It was really good for experience and if you can stick with your first job for a good length of time, it shows future employers you're committed. I left my job at the end of February this year due to me being in Year 12 but it's now something to put on my CV as experience. I think being a waitress (although I can't say i've done it haha) is a good one and I know a few people in my year who work in restaurants and they love it. Of course there is the fast food chains and working/preparing food but I personally could think of nothing worse.

In terms of your social anxiety, don't let that stop you. I'm sure when you're applying for jobs they'll see you're still quite young (in terms of entering the workforce) and as long as you show you are enthusiastic and show some confidence, you'll be a perfect contender. A majority of places want casual staff and I think getting casual work with only a few hours per week is great because then if you don't like it, you're only there for a short amount of time per week and you can just see it as a way of gaining money and experience. After all, it's not going to be forever! Definitely dealing with the public is a good move as it will help your improve your social skills too. When I started my job at 15, I was really shy, but once I got to meet regular people each week and got familiar with the place and staff, It was great.

Make a move now and get one before it gets even later. I'd say going around local places first and handing your resume to the manager/staff so they can see you in person is also something worth trying. I think getting a job will help in a lot of areas (including socially, financially and with your independence too) and you'll feel really good once you know you're starting to do things for yourself.

Goodluck :)


Well, at 17 it's harder to get into waitressing and some shop jobs now due to alcohol and stuff? (I could be completely wrong though). Which country do you live in (if you don't mind me asking?).

Otherwise if it I'd just a temp first job, try the coffee shops and high street stores.


My first job was in a pub and I had no experience what so ever.

I wouldn't worry too much about experience on your C.V. for your first job. Try doing some volunteer work for experience (and then buff it up to make yourself look good) and put some awards on there (for example I won Computing Student of the Year, so I've included that on my C.V. ever since).

For most first jobs if you get selected for an interview that's when it will matter. If you come across well in your interview and they think you will be well suited to the job they're way more likely to hire you. I was at College when I applied for a job at Morrisons, which I was rejected for first time, so I re-applied and got the job second time round. Persistence a lot of the time pays off - (If you know you'll be perfect for a certain job) keep trying even if they reject you.

I'm quite a shy person but I believe in my ability which is probably why I've never been out of work.

To summarise bars/restaurants/supermarkets are good starter places because of their flexible hours.

Thanks for the replies. :) they've been very helpful in regards to not knowing how to approach it all! I will try and get the courage to go and hand in resumes. :(


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[Matthew]

Thanks for the replies. :) they've been very helpful in regards to not knowing how to approach it all! I will try and get the courage to go and hand in resumes. :(


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just go for it! You don't lose anything (bar some paper and ink :P) and you possibly will get a job out of it. Just don't get down if you hand some in and don't get replies straight away, it can take time :P

anyway I don't think I'm the best for advice as I'm 18 and have never had a job (though I've got my 'dream' job' from august :D)

[Naturlee]

When I was 16 after I had finished school I started a casual job at the football stadium serving food. It was bad, but a week into that I got a job at a restaurant as a waitress. I'm still at the restaurant today...

You should try hotels/restaurants/function rooms etc. Especially with summer coming up, places like this may need extra staff to serve at functions such as weddings.

Good luck! :)

[Zak]

Thanks for the replies. :) they've been very helpful in regards to not knowing how to approach it all! I will try and get the courage to go and hand in resumes. :(


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Just don't worry about it. Something will come up :)

[Yawn]

u need to just keep pushing until u get some interviews, u dont necessarily need experience to get a job, although it would help massively. u will have the best luck in small cafes imo

if u find u are getting interviews and not getting anywhere then maybe consider volunteering in charity shops etc.

u will overcome ur anxiety once u have had some interviews and got on with handing out the cvs, u just need to go for it cos like u said the longer u leave it the harder it will get. also dont be too fussy or snobby a job is a job especially at this age