Where are all the jobs for teenagers?

[MrsJBaptiste]

My son (16) has been looking for a summer job (part time or full time, happy to do most things, any hours) but has only seen 5 or 6 jobs that are any good and hasn't heard from them so far. He's been looking on indeed

So many people keep asking if he's applied for jobs, hospitality is crying out for staff apparently but where are these jobs? Are we looking in the wrong place? If your teenager has a job, where is it and how did they get it???

McDonald’s
My grandson was straight in at 16
Pay not brilliant £4-50 an hour but he gets loads of shifts and love’s the craic with his co workers
So he’s happy
Now 18 on £6-50

DS worked in B&Q from 16, they pay the same to all staff so none of the low wage because of age stuff - or at least they did a few years ago.

Locally, some have asked for possibilities of work via local Facebook pages. Or by dropping their cv into every business that they can. Maybe try either or both?
Not easy though. Some business only look for 18+ age group.

My DS wasn’t having much luck with Indeed, I have tried to encourage him to apply direct to places like JD Sports, Tesco etc. He eventually via Indeed got an interview and start date but is now having to isolate so he’s hoping the hospitality job will keep the position open for him. Dominos were advertising all over the UK.

Thanks. A friend's son went round every local business but most said you have to apply online, they won't take individual CVs.

McDonald's would be great but 101 people apply for every job, it's so popular! That or KFC wpuld be great though if a job does come up.

It's more the hospitality sector, where do they advertise? Or as it seems to be, it's who you know...

When I was that age I rang round every restaurant and pub locally asking if they had vacancies. Some said they didn't but would interview me anyway. One of those gave me a job.

Has he contacted places he would like to work?

My dd is 16 and has a job. Round here they have all been advertising on Facebook. Please make your son join and apply himself. I cringe when I see parents asking for their kids. DD says only kids that apply themselves get jobs not ones where their mum phones.

In my town they put notices up in the window, a couple of weeks ago practically every shop and cafe had notices up. My 16 year old GS got a job without looking, one of his friends had a job and phoned him to say they were trying to find someone and was he interested.

We are a seaside town so there are usually lots of summer jobs but loads this year.

My 17yo DD is struggling as most of the jobs, including supermarket roles, are stating 18+ only will be considered.

Nothing here at all. DC is volunteering instead. No reply from several jobs and no interview given when they applied for supermarkets.
His friends who have jobs are all 18. Bar, cafe, restaurant work or supermarkets.
Looks like they all want someone who can serve or sell alcohol.

It's also worth having a CV ready to go. I was amazed at how many wanted CV's still.

@PerspicaciaTick

My 17yo DD is struggling as most of the jobs, including supermarket roles, are stating 18+ only will be considered.

This is what DS has found.

There another very similar thread running. People have raised points about hospitality having rules over what age group can be in the kitchen - this may be the brick wall you are facing. I don’t know the reason for this rule, but guess insurance and laws on child labour. They are an adult at 18. So technically he could fall into that work/age gap.

Have you got a garden centre local to you? DS has been working at one since he was 16 last year and there are lots of similar age kids there.

I see parents posting on local fb groups. The first thought is always that they should be asking themselves....

DD (who has just turned 17) has a waitressing job. She found it via Instagram (apparently). She’s been really proactive about finding something and it has paid off.

My ds's did casual cleaning at their school from age 16, so a couple of hours each day after school.

I am hearing that students are having no problem getting jobs at the moment especially in hospitality and places like factories and building sites, where students haven’t been able to get work for decades. I think the issue is probably with your DS only being 16.

Dd applied to five pub jobs that were advertised on the pubs Facebook pages or on the local Facebook jobs page. She didn't hear back from two, missed a call from one, and got offered an interview for one and a start date/trial shift for the other. She did the trial and is very happy there. Wages started at minimum for her age but she's had rises recently, taken on roles which pay a little more and gets tips equal to about a third of her wage usually. Some of the others left for supermarket jobs which pay better immediately but no tips (waitrose and tesco advertise some roles for above school leaving age and some for over 18). September is a good time to apply if he doesn't get anything in the summer because the students leave for uni.

My ds has had a job as a farm hand since he was 14 and the envy of all his friends as he earns a fortune in the holidays but even by 15 others were starting to get PT jobs and definitely those that weren't spoilt brats or lazy fuckers had a job by 16. From what I know, either found by them or mum posting on local Facebook type posts, one boy asked in his local pub every week for about 6 months until he got a job pot-washing; paper round; gardening for neighbours - mainly manual work, generally low paid but a job and your own money. Hope he gets something soon it's hard when their keen but I do find most need to learn a little tenacity & persistence before a job falls in their lap

Fruit picking?

Try local independent shops and hospitality, and your nearest street market. They're usually more flexible about age and application method. None of my DC ever worked for a chain as a teenager - it was all for local businesses or individuals.

There’s job sites on Facebook. That where my teenage son has found his last few jobs. He’s working in a really nice hotel now for more per hour than I get!

Mine all borrowed money off me and signed up to do a week's course for a lifeguard qualification. Best £250 they have each spent. Earn it back in a week and never short of work since..

But mine have also done stints as babysitters, 'Mother's help', one got asked if she would do some ad hoc work helping run children's parties. One has now also been asked to do some Receptionist work at the club where she lifeguards.
I do think it helps if you are already doing things (so mine were all Young Leaders at various Scout sections at 16) - it means people see you are capable, and people think of you and recommend you when one of their mates says they could do with a hand.
A friend of mine runs a gardening business and always takes on a bit of additional help over the Summer - it that something he could look into ? Word of mouth is always better than wandering around with a CV

We live in a tourist town so I appreciate it may be easier but when the kids were young they walked around with their CV they didn't use online applications.

So I would suggest anything in hospitality at the moment. Restaurants, takeaways, hotels, campsites, what do you have close by that's in walking distance for him?