My 17 year old struggling to find any work

[Missypuddingchops]

So im really at my wits end atm, my dd is 17 and attends college 3 times a week, shes so she has 4 days where she is literally just at home, shes broken up from her 1st at college so now its all week apart from a driving lesson, she needs amd wants a job...not alot to ask but my god its sooo hard. Even for older people its hard but how are our youngsters meant to set themselves up for saving etc? Everywhere is all 'hand your CV in...basically just dumped on a pile with all the rest from 16/17 year olds desperate for work. Shes costing me a fortune! She must've applied for 15 jobs and handed in so many cvs in the last month and NOTHING! Even the supermarkets arent getting back to her...ive even asked in the town I work in...we are both so deflated

My SD is 17 and just a job as a weekend hairdresser receptionist, she did a job last year waitressing in a cafe as a volunteer so she had something to put on a cv.
My son got an apprenticeship as an electrician at 17 and applied to over 100 companies that resulted in about 5 interviews before he was taken on.

The jobs have to be there to begin with don't they ?

Go to the local temping agency and tell them she can start tomorrow. Say she'll do anything.

The day after she will be packing boxes/answering phone calls/picking fruit/ etc, whatever.

There are jobs if you want them.

You just need to be willing, and know where to look

Op she might need to start volunteering somewhere whatever interests her, in a few months the Christmas temps will be coming up she might get something then.

It's even more important to tailor a covering letter now when applying via job sites / recruiters as otherwise the AI says no.

Where does a 17 year old look nobody takes CVs anymore there will be one cafe job with dozens of applicants, etc etc. The op said her dd has been applying for work but getting nowhere. What do you suggest next ?

I work in retail and recruit and we don’t even look at a covering letter. You have to pass the online test and prove your right to work before your application gets sent to store.

You are also not 18 looking for a minumum wage job in a shop or café. Things have changed dramatically.

Would she do babysitting? I know people are more hesitant to have strangers in their home but friends or friends etc. I put an advert in a newsagents window - probably not the best or safest way now!!

I made loads that way and if you’re reliable you get recommended. Maybe have a flat rate which makes her a bit cheaper.

Do you have a current 17 year old or know people who do? Has this actually worked in the last two years?

Agencies near me only take 18 year olds and even then, none of the jobs you mention are available.

You also mention "knowing where to look". Where is that?
My DCs have got jobs off Indeed, but it feels incredibly hit and miss. I'd love some other ideas.

I’ve never sent a cover letter or tailored my CV and no issue getting jobs at all - that’s recently, I was made redundant in May 2025 and again in November 2025

Its quite hard to tailor your cv when you have no qualifications (or very limted ones) or experience to tailor.

I tried to help my son apply for work and the online form was things like what experience gave you got in stock rotation, tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult customer.

Yes you can be really creative about your weeks work experience but enployers can see straight through it.

It is hard if not neigh on impossible.

Has she tried the fast food places like McDonalds? Also, when I was young my friends worked via agencies over summer in factories and fields picking fruit. A minibus would pick people up and drop them off. Not sure if that is still a thing, although if you are in the middle of a big city it definitely won't be.

But you are assuming an adult with work experience and maybe qualifications perhaps no time restraints to be employed,

The reality is that these days you've got to be more educated to get a job and even well educated graduates don't get jobs quickly. You should have fostered love of learning in her from the primary in order to give her best opportunities in life. The world is changing rapidly now. Now - only care work when she turns 18, I'm afraid, or further education/apprenticeship.

Yes but also applicable to teenagers as they won’t have the experience to be able to tailor their CV or it’ll end up blank

How do you know she doesn’t love learning? If you read the post, she’s IN further education

15 isn’t usually enough to find a job. My 19 year old sent more like 100 before he found a job.

Some very incorrect replies here. Employers prefer 18+ year olds over 17 year olds because there’s rules about how late they can work and many jobs are at antisocial hours. Also it’s often easier for employers if employees are over 18 because they can do things like sell alcohol.

Based on my kids’ experience, your dd has missed the boat with summer jobs. In a couple of months companies will be thinking about Christmas temps.

I would start trying with events that might be happening locally. They may need stewards, parking attendants etc. It’s not steady work but it’s the sort of job where you can find out about other events and get other jobs based on word of mouth.

Theres 2 macdonalds within 15 miles and shes applied for both and KFC

Yes both and KFC...we heard nothing back..typical

I bet your work colleagues hate you! Your company has probably got a 1 star working environment because of your shitty attitude...

The issue is that most don’t want to employ under 18s. Same where I am.

Ive seen adverts for jobs at Xmas time recently.
It is possibly too late for summer job now ?