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Original poster

Is your teenager struggling to get a job?

56 replies

MrsJBaptiste · 13/07/2022 10:00

Because DS is.

DS is 18 next week and since finishing college has applied for 15-20 jobs. He's had one interview (and wasn't successful) and heard back from one other (didn't get it) but nothing from any of the others.

Most are from indeed and so I appreciate there is a lot of interest but there are 100+ people going for each job! I did think DS was exaggerating but two of the jobs he's gone for have confirmed this in person. I thought retail and hospitality were desperate for staff but maybe not...

He hasn't got any experience, I get that but people can't get experience without a job and vice versa.

OP posts:
Tilda77 · 13/07/2022 19:40

My son was having the same problem at 16. He took a shift a week volunteering in a charity shop to get some experience while looking for a paid job. I helped him to tweek his CV and he managed to get a job. It must be so disheartening my son applied for about 30 jobs til he got one.

50mg · 13/07/2022 19:45

I have no inside information, but I'm convinced most jobs on Indeed don't actually exist.

My teens got their jobs by applying direct to the company via their websites. Fast food, a bakery and an engineering company.

Original poster
MrsJBaptiste · 13/07/2022 19:58

Right, he's printing off his CV now and will go armed with it tomorrow. We have very few independent cafes around here and most of the chains (shops and hospitality) just say 'apply online' when he's asked them about vacancies.

I've had jobs since I was 15 but can't remember how I went about getting them! He just wants one job to get something on his CV, winging it making up past jobs may be the only way!

OP posts:
stiffknee · 18/07/2022 15:16

If you are applying via any recruitment websites, make sure that the cv includes keywords from the advert itself - the website will then pick these up - they are called 'meta tags'. a little trick is to include as many keywords as possible for the type of work he is looking for, then 'white them out' so that they cannot be seen in the doc but they will be picked up by the website.
tbh - 15-20 rejections is not a lot - most people, with experience for a role, have significantly more.

knackeredagain · 18/07/2022 15:19

ContadoraExplorer · 13/07/2022 11:03

Whereabouts are you based? Don't know if it covers the whole of the UK or just Scotland but at the end of last year there was a kick-start scheme through the government that was aimed at those un or under-employed. It pays their wages with an employer for a period of time which allows them to gain experience at little cost to the company and then the employer can choose whether to keep them on or not but the person has gained some good experience for their CV. Might be worthwhile checking if it still exists or if there are similar ones around.

Kickstart has finished unfortunately. My son (19) got a great job through that, but it’s only a six month contract, so he’s back to looking for work when it ends in a month or so.

Its a very difficult jobs market for youngsters at the moment.

megletthesecond · 18/07/2022 15:23

Watching as I need to figure out what DS can do next summer. He has food allergies so loads of places are out.

GrumpyInsomniac · 18/07/2022 15:24

My son is 16 and has been working for the last year and a half in a pub two villages up the dale. He started as a pot wash and has worked his way up on weekends, occasional evenings and school holidays to commis chef.

He found his job looking through the local FB group and found they were looking for people. But then hospitality businesses in rural areas are desperate for staff at the moment. If you’re in a town/city it’s probably far tougher.

Having owned a hospitality business, I always caught out the ones winging it when we got to interview, and didn’t appreciate them trying to start the job on a lie. I’d rather someone come to me and say that they’ve no experience but they’re willing to learn and muck in, even if it means starting out as pot wash, because I know what I’m dealing with and can structure the interview for aptitude in different areas. But at that point, face to face is definitely the way to go.

TipTopTurvy · 18/07/2022 16:03

I think it depends gavilynwhere you are. There are loads of jobs going around here. Ds got one on his third application, and interviewed for all.
We are trying to hire in our store and cant get anyone!

soundsystem · 18/07/2022 16:06

Whereabouts is he? We're crying out for hospitality staff in London at the moment!

sassyclassyandsmartassy · 18/07/2022 16:25

As an employer currently advertising on Indeed I can tell you that, what was once a challenge to recruit, seems to now be easy again! I have had the job up for a week, it does require good customer service experience (not in hospitality), and already I have over 30 applicants and some have some seriously good skills/experience! I have been shocked at the response as a year ago I advertised similar and nobody came forward!

MintJulia · 18/07/2022 16:39

From next week, get him to approach every pub in the area about bar/cellar work.

Customer-facing skills are incredibly useful when looking for more permanent work later. We always prioritise graduates who have worked as bar staff or waited at tables because they have already the basics of customer care.

Paranoidandroidmarvin · 18/07/2022 16:41

Yes. 18 year old. Been trying since Xmas. Not the same as he does has medical issues so he can’t be on his feet all day. But nothing.

Jellybean23 · 18/07/2022 16:50

My niece works in a shoe shop (national chain) in the uni holidays. They welcome her back each year because she replaces the students who have returned home after working there in term time. She does quite well on commission too.

JustDanceAddict · 18/07/2022 16:54

Yup!
DD has been trying for ages to get a job in her uni city. She worked in home city last summer for 6 weeks as dh found her a job w one of his clients, but this year she is preferring to stay in uni town and living off savings/overdraft!

had a trial for a shift recently- didn’t hear back despite chasing - and it’s over a week ago. She said they said she did well but they were probably just topping up staff for the night. No payment has been forthcoming either. I very annoyed as is she. I told her to go in once the heatwave has passed (it’s not that local) to at least speak to someone f2f and get the dosh (they said she’d get paid).
Her brother got a p/t job easily through someone he knows - also no experience. It’s tough.

Original poster
MrsJBaptiste · 21/07/2022 18:21

Thanks to everyone who commented and added advice and ideas to take forward 😀

DS has today got a job working for hospitality events and so is now on their books for events in Yorkshire over the summer. They also have a branches in other cities so will be ideal for when he goes to Uni (if he likes the work!)

He's really looking forward to starting and already met a few snapchat friends at the interview/induction this morning so hopefully, it's all good!

OP posts:
Anothernamechangeplease · 21/07/2022 18:31

Well done to your ds, OP.

There are plenty of jobs out there, but a lot of kids seem to approach it in the wrong way. Applying through indeed is probably a long shot. Much better to be proactive and go into places with a CV to ask. That's how my dd got her job, and at the cafe where she works, she now knows it's how all of the new staff are taken on. They get people calling in to ask about work several times a week, so definitely don't need to waste money on advertising vacancies!

Anothernamechangeplease · 21/07/2022 18:36

Thinking about it, it may be slightly harder for an 18yo with no experience to find a job, as there will be plenty of 16 and 17yos with similar experience or more who can be paid quite a bit less. Not saying that's right, but if they're employing kids without any work history, some employers might prefer to hire the younger kids.

Oblomov22 · 21/07/2022 18:41

Depends where you are. Here in Surrey, it's really easy, nearly all Ds1's friends (just finished A'levels) who wanted jobs, have jobs. Supermarkets, restaurants, garden centres, local theme park, all sorts. On our local chat people post, asking for suggestions and it's always sorted.

Anothernamechangeplease · 21/07/2022 18:47

Oblomov22 · 21/07/2022 18:41

Depends where you are. Here in Surrey, it's really easy, nearly all Ds1's friends (just finished A'levels) who wanted jobs, have jobs. Supermarkets, restaurants, garden centres, local theme park, all sorts. On our local chat people post, asking for suggestions and it's always sorted.

Yes, easy where I am too. Almost all of dd's year 12 friends have jobs. There are a couple who don't want to work and a couple who moan that they can't get anything, but dd says the ones who say they can't get anything haven't really tried!!

thenewduchessoflapland · 21/07/2022 18:50

My DS found it really hard,he reapplied to one a year after he originally applied and was rejected and got the job but he was working elsewhere;those saying it's easy enough;there are lots of places recruiting but still rejecting people.

MumofSpud · 21/07/2022 19:26

I have to say my DD (16) has found it easy - and is now just started her 3rd job (moving forward more money each time).

I think it is a mix of luck / location / she had volunteering experience so she had something to put on her CV ie/ evidence of time keeping etc

Her older brother also started off with volunteering at 14/15 and also had no trouble finding p/t work

Polimolly · 21/07/2022 19:39

My DS got his first job last summer after A levels. I wrote his CV. I'm in recruitment so I find that easy. He then walked into a few restaurants and got a job waiting tables. This summer he's temping in an office.

Your DS needs to be proactive and make sure his CV shows a few strengths, even if he's never had a job before

Cameleongirl · 21/07/2022 19:46

That’s great news, OP, congratulations to your DS! 🎉

My DD (17) got her p-t job to n May by walking into a local restaurant with her CV. It’s her first job and she’s having a great time as it’s a small, independent business so she’s getting to do lots of different things.

notanothernamechangemother · 21/07/2022 19:50

My DS, 16, set up an online business with a friend and it seems to be doing well so far. If your dc has good IT skills, it may be an another option.

hattie43 · 21/07/2022 20:02

Sadly teenagers don't have a good rep with work ethic . I've employed teenagers before and it's not been successful.

Also there is nothing more off putting than these Facebook posts by Mothers wanting to find jobs for their kids , no , where is their ambition and motivation and if they can't even search for their own job it doesn't bode well for them actually doing the job .

I realise there are some good teenagers but I never found one sadly .