Hello, fellow TubeNetizens,
I'm seventeen years old and I want to get my first job now. There are a lot of folks here with a lot of experience and I would like it very much if I could get some advice/suggestions/experiences/etc. from this community on getting the first job.
I'll give some information on my self. As I said, I'm seventeen and I do not have a car. The only commitments I have are school on weekday mornings/afternoons and band rehearsal on Wednesday nights, so I would prefer to work at any other time than that. I've called and applied to a number of franchise stores and other "big-name" places, but have received either no reply or that they are not hiring. I've asked some of my employed friends if they can help me out, but those ended no differently. My mother is trying to help by asking her friends if they need a part-time employee but nothing has come up yet.
I'd be most interested in hearing whatever anyone here has to say on this. Looking for a job is a very new thing to me and I'm not quite sure of the best way to go about it.
My thanks,
Jackson
First job (part-time)
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Be kind. No government, state, or local politics allowed. Admin has final decision for any/all removed posts.
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The Jackson
- 5 valves
- Posts: 1652
- Joined: Sun Oct 07, 2007 9:34 pm
- Location: Miami, FL
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Carroll
- 4 valves
- Posts: 737
- Joined: Sun Mar 21, 2004 12:25 am
- Location: Cookeville, TN (USA)
Re: First job (part-time)
Most of my students find jobs through a network of band kids who have found jobs. The VERY small town I teach in (900 people) is the only town in a VERY rural county (less than 10,00) and has few opportunities for employment. My students have band-kid work ethic (they show up, do what is expected, with what they need) and have paved the way for other band-kids to follow. They tell each other when an opening will come up, before it happens. The prospective employees then present themselves as band-kids and usually are hired before the present employee is even terminated or quits. Try your band mates and see if they know of jobs... then make sure you don't screw it up for future generations!
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timdicarlo
- bugler
- Posts: 132
- Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2008 11:12 pm
Re: First job (part-time)
A couple pieces of general advice, mostly bestowed by my dad, which have yet to steer me wrong:
Be reliable. Whatever you're doing, learn it well and then do it right the first time. If people see you doing quality work, they'll be more likely to give you more of it. This is especially true for our generation, as we're branded by the majority of our elders as lazy, incompetent brats with an overdeveloped sense of entitlement. People are generally thrilled to be proved wrong on this point.
Don't discriminate; work is work, no matter the task. If it's summer, mow lawns, wash cars or paint houses. If it's autumn, rake leaves. If it's winter, shovel driveways. If it's spring, mulch gardens or pick weeds. Physical labor has a lot of perks: it'll keep you in shape, you can negotiate your own hours and pay (especially if you go looking for work in the rich neighborhoods), and your work is very visible to potential clients (the neighbors of your current clients). If Someone gets a compliment on how shiny their car looks or how well-manicured their lawn is, they'll drop your name and soon you'll be making bank.
This doesn't apply strictly to finding work and making money, but it's served me very well; I'm paying my own way through college with minimal loans and I have the trust and respect of the people I've worked for. I hope it helps you in your search for work. The market's pretty dry, but there are always opportunities if you look hard enough.
Be reliable. Whatever you're doing, learn it well and then do it right the first time. If people see you doing quality work, they'll be more likely to give you more of it. This is especially true for our generation, as we're branded by the majority of our elders as lazy, incompetent brats with an overdeveloped sense of entitlement. People are generally thrilled to be proved wrong on this point.
Don't discriminate; work is work, no matter the task. If it's summer, mow lawns, wash cars or paint houses. If it's autumn, rake leaves. If it's winter, shovel driveways. If it's spring, mulch gardens or pick weeds. Physical labor has a lot of perks: it'll keep you in shape, you can negotiate your own hours and pay (especially if you go looking for work in the rich neighborhoods), and your work is very visible to potential clients (the neighbors of your current clients). If Someone gets a compliment on how shiny their car looks or how well-manicured their lawn is, they'll drop your name and soon you'll be making bank.
This doesn't apply strictly to finding work and making money, but it's served me very well; I'm paying my own way through college with minimal loans and I have the trust and respect of the people I've worked for. I hope it helps you in your search for work. The market's pretty dry, but there are always opportunities if you look hard enough.
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king2ba
- bugler
- Posts: 175
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 3:45 pm
Re: First job (part-time)
HA! We only have two seasons here in South Florida.....shopping season and hurricane season! You could break your back raking up a pile of palm fronds and the only snow down here are in the form of snow cones!timdicarlo wrote:A couple pieces of general advice, mostly bestowed by my dad, which have yet to steer me wrong:
Don't discriminate; work is work, no matter the task. If it's summer, mow lawns, wash cars or paint houses. If it's autumn, rake leaves. If it's winter, shovel driveways. If it's spring, mulch gardens or pick weeds.
Honestly Jackson, you're in for a tough time. I'm sure you can GET a job....it's FINDING one down here that is the problem. You are in a terrible area for part time work right now, BUT with shopping season about to start, you might be able to find some seasonal employment at the mall, Best Buy, Target, etc. If you can get your foot in the door that way, you might find yourself with something more regular after the holidays.
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The Jackson
- 5 valves
- Posts: 1652
- Joined: Sun Oct 07, 2007 9:34 pm
- Location: Miami, FL
Re: First job (part-time)
MANY thanks for all the replies, everyone. My brain is about to burst with all of this food for thought! My mom is helping me out a lot and I've still got loads of people to talk to.