Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Do most 16/17 year olds have jobs these days?

53 replies

NewAccount12345 · 01/11/2019 09:58

I remember when I was that age it seemed to be the thing that everyone got a part time job at around 16 or even earlier sometimes. I used to work in a small cafe from 15 onwards.

DS is 16 nearly 17 and I think it would be a good idea for him to get a part time job alongside his A levels. Obviously I can't force him but I've mentioned it to him. He says nobody his age really has a job and they're really hard to get. To be fair he's looked online and most places are looking for 18+, and/ or experience, which he doesn't have because he's never had a job before. He's created a CV and dropped it into some local shops but no luck so far. Maybe part time jobs aren't as common nowadays.

Those of you who have older teenagers, do they/their friends have jobs? Any ideas how he can get one?

OP posts:
AppleKatie · 01/11/2019 10:00

I think it’s less common than it was yes. Not impossible but less of a ‘right of passage’ than it was.

MegaClutterSlut · 01/11/2019 10:07

I think they should just for a bit of money and to get them out there. Tbf my ds 17 applied for loads and never heard back from any of them. Luckily he's managed to get an apprenticeship

geogteach · 01/11/2019 10:14

I think less do but it is certainly possible . My 18 year old has had jobs delivering papers, tutoring, supermarket and football refereeing. Referring is lucrative if you get the training and can build relationships with the local clubs. My daughter is 16 and washes up in a cafe on Sundays and does babysitting when she can get it.

EskewedBeef · 01/11/2019 10:16

My eldest has had a Saturday job since they were 14. It used to be the norm, but not now. I think it's a shame really because it gives such good life experience ie socialising with adults, learning the value of money earned, having to have difficult conversations for yourself.

P1nkHeartLovesCake · 01/11/2019 10:17

What about a Christmas temp job?

That way he will earn a few ££ and you never know might decide he actually wants to keep on earning....

My dc are only small but the friends me and dh have, I can’t think of any of there16/17 years old that work. They are in education and have well off parents so I guess there is no need for them to work really.

JoJoSM2 · 01/11/2019 10:19

Not sure about how many do but some do. There are some kids doing paper rounds in my area + I've seen very very young looking staff in some cafes and shops.

whojamaflip · 01/11/2019 10:24

It's common in my area (Cotswolds). Most of my friends dc are aged 14-18 and they all have part time jobs either waitressing, working in the local garden centre or pot washing in one of the local pubs. Both my older dc (16 and 14) work Saturdays.

We are a very touristy area so I think that increases the job opportunities for young people.

ErrolTheDragon · 01/11/2019 10:26

Some do, some don't...I think there's a mix of more students taking up the casual jobs to supplement their loans, and schoolkids maybe taking their studies a bit more seriously.

ssd · 01/11/2019 10:29

Don't kids need to be 16 to work?
Are these places taking on kids under 16 and paying cash in hand? That's illegal.

Comefromaway · 01/11/2019 10:30

I think its a lot less common. My dd lives in a university city and found that all the part time jobs went to students who were aged 18 plus rather than 6th formers. She has just turned 18 and has got a job now but it's related to contacts/specific skills she already had (helping to teach dance to kids for an organisation she used to attend). She applied for various retail etc jobs and didn't even get an interview.

Comefromaway · 01/11/2019 10:31

Don't kids need to be 16 to work?
Are these places taking on kids under 16 and paying cash in hand? That's illegal.

Children are allowed to work from the last Friday in June of Year 11. Before that they are still allowed to work but hours and type of work are limited by law and the employer has to get a licence from the council for them.

Sparklingbrook · 01/11/2019 10:33

DS had a weekend job in retail from his 16th birthday to when he went to Uni, and now he has a different weekend job in the town he lives in.

It's quite difficult to get your foot in the door at that age. It's definitely a case of who you know etc.

Sleepthiefismyfavourite · 01/11/2019 10:34

My 16 year old works at McDonalds, as do a few of his friends

Sleepyhead19 · 01/11/2019 10:35

My son is 17 and he has a part time job and goes to college. I buy his food and clothes, pay train fare to college etc but I told him if he wants spending money now, he has to get a job, so he did.
He applied for about 20 jobs and was invited to interview to one, which he got. Most want experience or over 18’s so it is difficult for them.
A couple of his friends applied to McDonald’s and got the job. They take 16+ if that helps.

Coconut0il · 01/11/2019 10:46

I got my first job at 17. DS1 is 16 and at college, he really wants a job and I want him to get one but I think it's really hard. He has one friend working at McDonalds, a few getting money from apprenticeships but so far he hasn't had any luck. Even when we look through the job adverts a lot want 18 year olds.

ExpletiveDEVILighted · 01/11/2019 10:54

I know some 6th formers working in supermarkets and cafes, others lifeguarding or football refereeing. Paper rounds from 13, ad-hoc babysitting or pet feeding. It does seem to be mainly through existing hobbies or family friends though.

pikapikachu · 01/11/2019 11:16

Mine both had/have part-time retail jobs and so do their friends.

EdHelpPls · 01/11/2019 11:22

My cousins has jobs from 14 y but employed by family friend. I don’t know any other teens with jobs.
I’m encouraging my teen to develop her entrepreneurial skills now (has health issues so she’s unlikely to work outside of the home in any more than a VERY part time job)

Dowser · 01/11/2019 11:23

My grandson was desperate to get a job when he was sixteen
About three months ago he managed it..but they couldn’t give him enough hours..like one shift a month
So after going out every day with cv and applying online he tried McDonald’s and got it.
He’s getting good shifts..only £4-50 an hour though and he’s cooking and operating drink machine
But it’s money and he’s learning valuable skills.

Dowser · 01/11/2019 11:25

I used to help him out ..an hour or so doing some light weeding and a bit of leaf sweeping would net him about £10-20

Ruined him 😂

BuzzingtheBee · 01/11/2019 11:27

Dd 17 is finding most places want her to work both dats at the weekend and with a levels and a social life that doesn’t work. She is still looking though...

TheFairyCaravan · 01/11/2019 11:32

Ours did. DS1 worked in a couple of garden centres, then he worked in retail right up until the day before he joined the army.

DS2 worked in the headquarters of a local bakery. He started off washing up and cleaning, then by the time he left he was helping with the baking. He was up at 5.30 every Saturday or Sunday, as was DH until he could drive.

Most of their friends did too. They worked in places like Fat Face, the Co-Op, Homebase, Boots, cafes, hairdressers, and pet shops.

TheGoatIsHere · 01/11/2019 11:57

My 17 year old son has worked since he was 15. I can't think of any of his friends who don't work alongside their a levels.

Comefromaway · 01/11/2019 12:04

Dd 17 is finding most places want her to work both dats at the weekend and with a levels and a social life that doesn’t work. She is still looking though...

My dd found that too. And as she is in college Mon-Fri 8.30am - 6.00pm with homework on top both weekend days was not feasible.

BigSandyBalls2015 · 01/11/2019 12:08

Mine worked in local cafés/fast food type places from 15 - cash in hand. Little brown envelope …. took me back!