Does anyone work in Clarks? Or high street retail in general?

[SwayingInTime]

Hi there

My 16 year old daughter is getting knocked back from everywhere she’s tried to find a job at so far. It’s not surprising as she has no experience at all!

Does anyone have any tips for constructing an application or CV at this stage? She is especially enthusiastic about Clarks so childcare orientated stuff would help there a bit there I assume as it’s highlighted in the advert?

Her dad works in a food shop - is it worth her working there for a week if they’ll allow it and putting it down as work experience or would it not make much difference do you think? It would be a bit awkward for both but I could persuade them I think. The shop doesn’t employ under 18s.

This is amazing, thank you, I didn’t expect this much info!

ds got his summer job at 16 (before covid) by printing out 50 CVs and walking into every shop in town and handing it in.
Half said no, apply thoruhg our website (mostly chains)
Some said we're not hiring but took the CV.
2 took the CV and phoned him back.
He got a job with one and worked there all through sixth form.

On his CV he also had a short reference. Eg he had dog walked for a family friend, who wrote a paragraph saying he was reliable and sensible.

I am convinced that both people were interested because he took initiative, and that he went in and was polite and charming and these are customer facing retail jobs.

@steppemum this is how I used to job hunt. I'd walk up and down the high street / round the town centre asking in shops or going in when I saw a sign in the window.

Back then it was mostly application forms that I'd go and fill in and then return the same day.

No advice, but I've seen a couple of threads like this and given the staff shortages everywhere I'm really surprised.

That's what I assumed Dunes but most of my colleagues kids have had the same experience with their first job, it’s a big city with four huge sixth form colleges and three universities so lots of competition.

The teens I know who have jobs work in McDonalds, Dominoes pizza and lifeguard / sports centre assistant. If her swimming is any good places have been crying out for lifeguards as none were trained for nearly 2 years - the local leisure centres here are even offering to pay for their training course which is worth over £200.
If you have a premier league football club nearby then they can often use teens in the hospitality suites but it would only be on match days and if they host anything like Xmas party nights.
parkrun and junior parkrun is also good for volunteering for teens and whilst it's not retail it definitely gives them confidence and shows they can get up for 9am on a Saturday / Sunday morning!

She got the job guys - thank you for all the advice, I compiled it into a guide!

Woohoo! Well done Swaying'sDD :)