Any tips on helping me find a job?

[Ryan]

I have tried to apply to 13 different stores - and still no luck. Everytime I go to talk the the manager, I always get told 'Sorry, we don't have any openings, but we'll take your application anyways. " Its just really bothering me that this is so hard. when I talk to them - I'm well dressed (khaki's and a polo, and a nice pair of american eagle dress shoes or cool flip flops), I'm clean a decent ( I look like a stereotype prep), I say yes sir and no sir, I am polite, and eager to get the job. WHAT AM I DOING WRONG!!??!!??!!

 

[Ryan]

anyone

 

[Woogoat]

How old are you, and will this be your 1st job?

 

[Ryan]

17 - my first job.

 

[ShadowHunter]

Well sometimes there just aren't positions available. Just keep applying. I know it can be discouraging, but you do what you need to.

 

[Woogoat]

I would check with my friends and family. If you have somebody on the inside, it will work wonders.

 

[Ryan]

I don't have anyone in my family (my parents are in the USAF - so it's a dead end there) - a as far as I know, none of my friend have connections (I have talked to them about this same topic 100 million times). maybe I'm too yankee for the south

 

[Tominator]

There are THOUSANDS of openings in the Fast Food Industry.....or are you too good to flip burgers?

 

[GoldenBear]

Wow, 13 places?? I'd have given up by the 3rd place.

Really though, when I go out to grocery stores and Walmart and whatever, I see some of the laziest, unqualified, and disrespectful people out there. This is defintely not to take away from the hard working people that do work in such locations, as they definitely are out there, but at times it seems like companies get really desperate in hiring such people.

So yeah, maybe that's your problem right there. Perhaps you're qualified

 

[Hossenfeffer]

Could also sign up with a temporary agency. I've done temp work off and on when I don't have acting jobs. I enjoy the variety.

 

[Tominator]

I'll guarantee you if you are working ANYWHERE, in a interview for a good job the employerer will pick that 'burger flipper' over someone unemployed...everything else be equal.

 

[Ryan]

I'm goingot apply at eckerds tomorrow. I'm gonna also stop by fazoli's (italien (sp?) fast food place) - and gateway country to get applications)

 

[lowtech1]

Wean yourself a way from AT.
Look at job search as a job from 8:00-4:00.

Daily schedule:
Make a point to drop off at least 4 resumes a day.
Talk to at least 5 diff person asking them if they know of a job lead.
Do your homework/research in the evening for at least 2 hours.
Practice reading out your resume/cover letter, memorizes your skills so it would be easier to boast your knowledge/experience when under pressure at interview.
It is better to over dress than under dress, but dress appropriately is best (it can be silly to go to an interview in a fish market with a tux)

 

[BlueHeelers]

You may also ask around at your church if you attend one or ask your folks, friends folks, neighbors, etc. At your age, you may want to focus more on a job to learn and in your field of interest if possible.

Sometimes if you find a mom-and-pop place and tell them you are interested in what they are doing, they may try to help you out. If your interest is in computers, maybe you can get a part time job with a computer shop. That would look better on a resume than say flipping hamburgers. One good thing about a restaurant or retail is that you get experience in dealing with ALL types of people and personalities. My sister worked at a restaurant for a year and hated it, but she did learn a lot about people.

REL