how does a 16 year old find a job?

[steppemum]

Not being funny, way back in the dark ages, I found holiday jobs through ads in the paper, or even ads in the newsagents! One uni holiday job was definitely through a work agency.

But after uni, jobs were through specific websites etc.

So, how does a modern 16 year old find a job? Where do I tell him to look? He is looking for a holiday job, and if something continued part time into sixth form, that would be amazing.

Any suggestions?

Local small independent shops and cafes are his best bet. Unless you have any connections to the trades in which case he might be able to get some labouring work or equivalent. Round here the big summer employers for teens and students are local cafes, garden centres, and Pick Your Own Farms who take on seasonal workers for the summer, and a school uniform outfitters which is crazy busy all summer but obviously quietens down the rest of the year.
The way to get a foot in the door is through asking for a week's work experience in chosen business, and then proving yourself to be useful!

Indeed.com is where most of the jobs our way are advertised. DS (now 17) has had three jobs through them - a fast food place he only stayed with for two months because they treated him so badly I advised he left (think international and specialising in chicken). A summer ob deep cleaning primary schools (asked him back for this year), and a regular cleaning job . . . he likes listening to audio books and not having to deal with the public!
Most of the big stores will also advertise on eir own websites, he needs to be prepared to do lots of pre-application questionairres for those though.

great, thanks

I think his expectations are quite high! Would love him to get something though, as he could do with some spending money.

Lots from my dd's school went to work at McDonalds and KFC.

My dd works at home bargains to fit around her college hours.

As per the post above we found most of the jobs on indeed.

If he can get booked onto a lifeguard course he will always find work. Ds has been doing this since 16 and can basically dictate his shifts etc at David Lloyd club.

Local FB group? I’ve hired a teen from there for gardening help, she’s super!

My DD turned 17 few months ago and Tesco was advertising for seasonal staff, she applied and got a job for the summer. She also pot washes with her sister occasionally at a restaurant. DD2 has a job there so on some busy days she helps out.

Both my step sons managed to get shifts in my local Starbucks from the age of 16. When they went to uni Starbucks transferred them to shops in their respective uni towns so they had money coming in throughout their studies. I know the company gets a bad press at times but they were great with my boys.

I asked on my local fb group if there were any jobs going for my dd, someone got in touch that day and she's been working there since, she loves it.

Print off copies of a cv, dress appropriately, and call on local independent businesses in person. Independents might be more likely to recruit by word of mouth/personal approach than online, and if you're standing front of them they can see that you're smart and polite and have initiative.

Mine just trawled round shops, restaurants and bars in town asking if they needed anyone. Both got jobs that way.

brilliant, loads of ideas, thank you.

Go on the websites of all the business and look at their careers section. McDonald's, all the supermarkets, major stores etc all have a job section.

My grandson also looking ..will pass on tips thanks

Also on the lifeguard point, if he can swim well, he could look for a swimming teacher course. Swimming teachers don't make bad money and the hours are not as anti-social.

Is he doing any A level subjects that people may be interested in tutoring for? For example, I tutored German.

It's actually easier to find a job at 16 now, also much better pay and protection. Applying on line for big chains and cv drops for smaller shops. Dd has been lucky to work for a dance school and friends pub, so has plenty of experience. Places like Mcdonalds will let you pick and chose shifts, which is great come exam and holiday time. Dd has also said she categorically can not work a Saturday in term time before 5 and they are absolutely fine with this.

He could print off copies of his cv and take them to every restaurant in his local area. I say restaurant rather than shop because waiters make more money - minimum wage plus tips! (I made an average of £12 an hour working at Pizza Hut back in my day!) Plus he'd be able to work evenings after sixth form.

I agree with PP about going round to independent shops / cafes , but he most ho carful there are lots unscrupulous employers that will take him on on a unpaid trial . Then say there is no positions , then get him back for another unpaid trial and so on .

Walk down your local high street and check the shop windows. Several well known brands are advertising right now in my home town.

We've got some big supermarket distribution centres close to us which employ lots of shift workers. Might be worth a try if you have something similar.