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

DC1 struggled to get a part-time job. The big retail and hospitality chains seemed to advertise for (eg) 4-8 hrs weekly, but in reality wanted people who would regularly do 25hrs if and when needed. It didn't help that DC1 can't do term time Saturdays at all. Most 6th formers she knows ended up employed by smaller businesses.

Eventually she was hired by a boat hire venue from an ad on a facebook local site. It's physical outdoor work, dominated by young men and she's a very weedy bookish type but she couldn't afford to be fussy. She has also found that for big and small companies you have to move really quickly - if you miss a call or can't make an interview they just move on to the next application.

Try Primark, DS did 18 months there which started off as a Christmas placement but they kept him on, great shifts to work around studies, he did 3 x 4 hour shifts per week all through A-levels.

You could suggest she joins an agency like a hospitality or catering agency. Then she will have lots of places to put on her CV.

My 3 found it tough (lack of jobs plus most teenagers wanting work from 16 onwards). In their case it was just a numbers game. Two of mine got 1st jobs at McDs as they had a bad reputation in our area so less applied. Oncd you get the 1st it's easier yo trade up.

It can be a bit random. DC2 found out that the manager could be arsed so just chose the first 3 applicants to interview (binning everyone else who passed the official tests) and gave the job to the one who was quickest in the 10 minute job trial. DD thought that she had got the job because of a good interview only to find out later that they had chosen her because of her pretty hair! One of mine got a KB from Costa saying she didn't have the attributes to be a good barista but got a Starbucks job in the same week.

Once in a job I remember my DC being asked about applicants they knew from school. If you or she know anyone then see if they would put a word in. Being flexible with hours ( and being economical with the truth on future plans helped my DC too)

I worked for a few years in an indie cafe and got the job by going in and asking. The manager told me to write a letter of application and bring it with my CV and that’s what I did. We also took more staff on while I was there in the same way. Independent shops will probably work like this too. Go in, be bright and personable, get on well with the other staff and be willing.

Bigger companies that have online applications will be harder because more people will try them and they’ll take longer too, also may have ‘deal breakers’ where the computer says no, whereas meeting a business owner face to face may well go more on how you’ll fit into the existing team.

A nursery agency would take her on but it isn't for the faint hearted. She would get work very quickly even as unqualified but it's back breaking work and incredibly stressful.
Also care homes worth a try. Any winter events going on near you as sometimes they need stewards etc ?

My son got a part time job as a kitchen porter/pot washer at a local pub, just before he turned 18. He got it via word of mouth. He had to do a trial shift first and then they offered him the job.

@Teentrauma would she consider care work? Where I am, the care homes are always looking for staff. Plus there are agencies where she can do zero hours contract and just pick up shifts when it suits her (although these agencies almost always pressurise staff to do more shifts, often at short notice).

A friend of hours works with adults in supported housing and they have lots of students doing the sleepover shifts - they usually watch a movie then the carer sleeps when the resident goes to bed - it’s £100 a night.

Also where I live - lots of students do bank shifts (ie pick shifts to suit) as health care support workers in the NHS. You get 30% extra for nights and Saturdays and 60% extra for Sundays so it can be well paid.

My DS got her first job as a kitchen porter by asking in the local Wetherspoons if there were any jobs going at age 17 then got bar work when he was 18. DD got hers waitressing in a local restaurant by popping in with her CV. Neither had any work experience at all.

Good luck - hope she gets something soon!

Being willing to work antisocial hours is a big plus for many employers
Both my DC worked at a local supermarket whilst at sixth form, but it was open from 6am to 10pm
DD did care work whilst at university, DS worked in retail at a railway station again with 24 hour opening times

Has she applied for the temp Christmas shifts?

Most big companies send emails and you have to book an interview with only X slots available - it’s worth googling the correct responses - they will be there somewhere.

DD first job was from school work experience, DD2 walk round town and found signs in windows looking for staff: one asked her to start the following Monday.

She can post if FB pages and there are agencies looking for 18/25 we have one here.

She needs to be really proactive and get a covering letter together being positive can do attitude and link it to what they are asking for.

eg Team work - I demonstrated my team work ability at a recent charity event where we were tasked to raised X in aid of Y. I took a lead role in organising the prizes.

Has she tried McDonald’s? My DD got her first job there at 16 (3 years ago) and they were always desperate for staff and hired anyone who asked it seemed! She hated it but only stayed 2 months whilst applying for other jobs, and soon got offered something much better. It’s much easier to find a job when you are already employed somewhere.

A friend of mine has a daughter who worked lucratively part time from 16 or so at the local (large city) football club when they held conferences & events (waitressing, bar etc)

DD is 16, she also has applied to some things online and through Indeed and not had any results. But responding to two ads on FB have resulted in jobs, one as an assistant swim teacher & one as a waitress at a wedding venue.

Depending on where you are, some employers avoid hiring students as they are seen as unreliable and inevitably ask for days off for exams and to go home for Christmas and so on. In addition, the cost of living crisis is so bad, that these employers feel like they should be offering one FT job to a young worker that can’t go to Uni instead of having two PT jobs for students who are relatively privileged.

There are far more young people looking for entry level service jobs than there are jobs. It’s a tough labour market out there for them.

Definitely NOT outdated to go in. My dd got both her café jobs by going in. And, if you live in a place with a SMALL tesco/sains etc - it is definitely worth getting the name of the manager of your store and speaking direct.

Tell them all online applications have failed, you just cannot get your foot in the door but have been trying and trying.
A local manager might just take pity!

How about looking online for charity volunteering opportunities. There is often general admin support needed which helps build skillset whilst helping a charity. There are often volunteer opportunities online, check out charity jobs, reach and indeed

We had no luck online either. We got my 16 year old's daughter's job by just speaking to the manager after we finished eating at our local Ember Inns pub.

It's going to get work when NMW increases. Cafes will go for 16-18 year old instead.

My ds is 22 and the same. Has tried so many times. He does have an interview today but it's the first in a long time. He is at Uni.

My dd got. Job in about 10 weeks. No experience but had volunteered in an animal rescue for 14 months - guess maybe cleaning out litter trays showed she wasn't fussy!

It's brutal though - we missed a call from Asda and when we managed to get back to them about 2 hours later it was tough too late all interview spots filled.

It does sound like a lot of kids are aiming high expecting to get starbucks or tesco for their first job. You usually have to go for a crappy cornershop, local takeaway, independent etc when you have zero experience.

. I think all the advice to physically go in is a bit outdated. It’s all online now, well 99% of applications

Its not. I helped a friends 17 year old do her CV for a local restaurant last year. She got that job (and another) simply going in in person asking. These aren't chain restaurants.

Do she/you have a farmers market nearby? They usually use local staff for sat/Sunday mornings.

My son is studying A levels and had a seasonal zero hour job up until recently, but left due to the company being extremely exploitive and breaching working time regulations. He has applied for many retail and barista jobs advertised online but hears nothing back. He applied for a four hour Sat job and completed a long online application and they came back and said he was unsuccessful. I’ve told him to try the old school way of going in and asking about vacancies.