How the heck does my DD get a part time job?

It was equally impossible for me and my friends years ago. In the end we realised the local residential home was desperate and all worked there on 0 hours or at McDonald’s on 0 hours. Worst shift times though.

@Squidge123 @CooksDryMeasure

Thanks for your info. Ultimately, I don't think he's a good enough swimmer sadly.

They have to complete a course and pass the assesment, was timed swims included with doing rescues etc, the times look quite lienant but they are doing a rescue so pulling someone back.
For the teaching my DD did the Swim England level 1 and 2 at the same time, she had already worked as a swim teacher helper and was a very strong swimmer having swam in a club since age 8.
It is great money but I personally think having a background in swimming is essential, for example my DD often demonstrates in the pool so fly, tumble turns, diving etc.

Every candidate attending a National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) course must be 16-years-old or above at the time of taking the NPLQ final assessment and be able to:

• Jump/dive into deep water
• Swim 50 metres in less than 60 seconds
• Swim 100 metres continuously on front and back in deep water
• Tread water for 30 seconds
• Surface dive to the floor of the pool
• Climb out unaided without ladder/steps and where the pool design permits

I sympathise OP, the online application process can be lengthy and it is disheartening for your DD not to get past these. I think it helps to have the job description, skills, company values and ethos to hand when answering questions. DD1 applied for many jobs and learned that you need to answer these questions based on they want to hear to match the job description rather than your own opinion. Sadly big employers use these as a blunt screening tool and they are often not even reviewed in person. Keep trying especially in the run up to Christmas lots of supermarkets, Boots etc take on extra staff on temporary contracts which can lead to more work.

How good a swimmer do you need to be in order to be a lifeguard / swim teacher?

My 19yo has dropped out of uni and is struggling to find work. He is dysprixic tho, and whilst he had lessons up to about the ago of ten, he does lack a lot of upper body strength.

Three of my four worked at their schools and colleges during sixth form, so a couple of hours each day after school. Not pleasant work at times if they got allocated toilet blocks etc but if just classrooms it was easy work and pretty well paid.

My 19 year old has been doing a mix of the 2 since she left college, she earns so much that she hasn't looked at doing anything else!

Agency agency agency. Can't advise this enough. I wasted so much time job hunting when I had a gap between uni and grad scheme. Signed up with an agency and within a week had an admin job. At another point in my life when I was between jobs I did the same again and got a job at a reception desk within days.

My DD did this at 17 and worked part time at the leisure centre near her uni for 3 years then the long holidays at a pool back near us, then carried on between travelling and settling into a career. Much better paid and more flexible than her uni flatmates working shop shifts.

There is a real shortage of lifeguards and teachers at the pools near us now ( SW London ) despite the proximity of 2 unis - the local council was recently advertising free training. The shifts are usually very flexible as well.

My son volunteered in a pharmacy once a month for a year to get some work experience. Then at the end of the year they offered him a paid part time job.

I’d imagine it’s hard when you are 18 with no experience. Could she try to bulk up her resume? Do some short courses? Like in Australia to work in a bar you need a responsible service of alcohol certificate. It’s easy to do on line but just gives you that extra qualification. My son is 15 and just got his first job at McDonald’s. He applied everywhere. I think it’s just about applying at the right time. Maybe also look at support work. My friends daughter is 18 is and doing that part time and really enjoys it.

Both my DCs did the lifeguard training and have never had any trouble getting work because there is a national shortage of lifeguards.

DC1 has a full time job now but DC2 is a student and has a lifeguard job at home and at uni. Some young lifeguards even train as swimming teachers. That is really well paid and there is a shortage of them too.

If anyone's DC wants to qualify as
A lifeguard , look for the NPLQ course ion the. RLSS website. It takes a week to qualify and costs around £300. The courses usually run in school holidays.

If she is a good swimmer lifeguarding is an option. If you pay to do the course ( takes a week ) it's pretty easy to find jobs because qualified lifeguards are in short supply. My Ds did the course during the school holidays and got a job almost immediately. He is 19 and has three lifeguarding jobs since he was 16 as he has quit to concentrate on study and then taken a new job when he needed one. Where we are there are always vacancies and they often offer the job even if not qualified as they will train you and pay for the assessment.

He also works in a supermarket - The CoOp supermarket recruitment process was easy - a quick on line assessment and a 15 min interview and offered job on the spot. They seem to be a really good employer too.

DD got a job a week after her 16th birthday by asking a friend to arrange a trial shift for her at the cafe she worked at. It's a zero hours contract and quite seasonal as it's in a tourist spot but even on the winter rota she's being offered 16 hours a week if she wants them. Lots of places recruit friends of existing staff rather than advertise vacancies.

3 trial shifts?! I really hope she was paid!

If she had the right attitude (caring and likes people) I bet she'd get a job as an HCA for the NHS in no time. We take 18 yos without healthcare experience and she could work part time.

Just a thought!

If you're in Newcastle, TJ Hughes were advertising for staff in their window.

Get her to apply for voluntary work so she has something on her CV, she’ll b competing with those with experience so will never get a job if she doesn’t get experience.

My DC both got jobs at 16. One at a local leisure centre as a party co ordinator for children's parties and also as a server at an events company for weddings, etc. Other DC got a part time job at CEX as a retail assistant.

Neither had any issues. They're mid 20s now.

I did factory work weekends mostly with extra during bank holidays and school breaks from 16-22. My 16yo went through an agency for factory work. She can choose which days she works.

Perhaps your daughter needs to be less specific about the type of work she wants to do. Agency work might not be glamorous but it pays relatively well and there's the option for overtime. Plus with an agency your daughter should be able to say what days she wants to work.

Nandos have high staff turn over so worth a shot there, a friend's little sister worked in one at uni and there were always people quitting with no notice or walking out half way through a shift, she'll also get discounted chicken 🐔 🍗

Petrol stations? Just leave a CV. McDonalds? Full of adolescents!

She needs to think more local, pub that's not a chain, corner shop, local chippy etc, can she drive or cycle? Could do takeaway delivery, friend of mine used to work in a sunbed shop when we were at sixth form, palest goth you've ever seen, the manager thought it was hilarious she'd had the balls to walk in and ask if they had any vacancies. If she's smiley and confident and hounds local businesses rather than chains she'll get there.
I also second putting something on local FB group, proactive, hardworking 18 year old willing to learn looking for part time work etc.

Has your dd tried for temporary jobs ? I know that she’ll be in the same situation in a couple of months but it will hopefully breed more interest.

Have you looked at her covering letters/emails and reviewed her writing tone?

I've seen some shockingly entitled Gen Z applications which if the person sifting is older will really jar.

What made me think of this was @GRex s question

Is she asking for a job requesting specific hours up-front in a way that might be off-putting?

I've seen so much of this from Gen Z applications - even before an interview

"Just to let you know, I want to work Mondays from 2- 5pm" where the advert is for a part time Wed - Fri as an example.

I want. I want. I expect. I expect. I will only do. I am not prepared to do.

Not saying necessarily she's wording stuff like this but the weird 'I will only work when and where I want' attitude that a lot of GenZs have sort of leaks through.