How the heck does my DD get a part time job?

[Teentrauma]

Inspired by another thread where someone's DH was struggling.

My DD18 has been searching for MONTHS for a part time job while she studies. Is flexible what she does - cafes, shops etc. She receives Indeed alerts and has applied for dozens of jobs on there but never gets past the first stage. Similarly, she applies direct when she hears a company is recruiting such as Asda, Next etc. Same thing. Usually, there's some long online assessment which she never gets past. I've sat and done some with her (it's usually a choice of different responses to a work situation and you have to say which you think is most correct). No idea what we're doing wrong. In addition she's trawled the local high streets with her cv, I've done a lot of asking round myself too but drawn a blank.

She's so despondent (and skint!) and just wants a job. She has decent GCSE grades but a very thin CV, due to being 18 and never worked (apart from a week's work experience in my office for which my boss has given her a reference). Fingers crossed she's got some volunteering in a charity shop, so at least she can put retail experience on her cv but even that has involved a long winded on line recruitment/vetting process (which kept crashing 🙈).

Is she doing something wrong or is she just unlucky?

I’d imagine it’s hard when you are 18 with no experience. Could she try to bulk up her resume? Do some short courses? Like in Australia to work in a bar you need a responsible service of alcohol certificate. It’s easy to do on line but just gives you that extra qualification. My son is 15 and just got his first job at McDonald’s. He applied everywhere. I think it’s just about applying at the right time. Maybe also look at support work. My friends daughter is 18 is and doing that part time and really enjoys it.

My son volunteered in a pharmacy once a month for a year to get some work experience. Then at the end of the year they offered him a paid part time job.

My DD did this at 17 and worked part time at the leisure centre near her uni for 3 years then the long holidays at a pool back near us, then carried on between travelling and settling into a career. Much better paid and more flexible than her uni flatmates working shop shifts.

There is a real shortage of lifeguards and teachers at the pools near us now ( SW London ) despite the proximity of 2 unis - the local council was recently advertising free training. The shifts are usually very flexible as well.

Agency agency agency. Can't advise this enough. I wasted so much time job hunting when I had a gap between uni and grad scheme. Signed up with an agency and within a week had an admin job. At another point in my life when I was between jobs I did the same again and got a job at a reception desk within days.

My 19 year old has been doing a mix of the 2 since she left college, she earns so much that she hasn't looked at doing anything else!

Three of my four worked at their schools and colleges during sixth form, so a couple of hours each day after school. Not pleasant work at times if they got allocated toilet blocks etc but if just classrooms it was easy work and pretty well paid.

How good a swimmer do you need to be in order to be a lifeguard / swim teacher?

My 19yo has dropped out of uni and is struggling to find work. He is dysprixic tho, and whilst he had lessons up to about the ago of ten, he does lack a lot of upper body strength.

I sympathise OP, the online application process can be lengthy and it is disheartening for your DD not to get past these. I think it helps to have the job description, skills, company values and ethos to hand when answering questions. DD1 applied for many jobs and learned that you need to answer these questions based on they want to hear to match the job description rather than your own opinion. Sadly big employers use these as a blunt screening tool and they are often not even reviewed in person. Keep trying especially in the run up to Christmas lots of supermarkets, Boots etc take on extra staff on temporary contracts which can lead to more work.

Every candidate attending a National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) course must be 16-years-old or above at the time of taking the NPLQ final assessment and be able to:

• Jump/dive into deep water
• Swim 50 metres in less than 60 seconds
• Swim 100 metres continuously on front and back in deep water
• Tread water for 30 seconds
• Surface dive to the floor of the pool
• Climb out unaided without ladder/steps and where the pool design permits

They have to complete a course and pass the assesment, was timed swims included with doing rescues etc, the times look quite lienant but they are doing a rescue so pulling someone back.
For the teaching my DD did the Swim England level 1 and 2 at the same time, she had already worked as a swim teacher helper and was a very strong swimmer having swam in a club since age 8.
It is great money but I personally think having a background in swimming is essential, for example my DD often demonstrates in the pool so fly, tumble turns, diving etc.

@Squidge123 @CooksDryMeasure

Thanks for your info. Ultimately, I don't think he's a good enough swimmer sadly.

It was equally impossible for me and my friends years ago. In the end we realised the local residential home was desperate and all worked there on 0 hours or at McDonald’s on 0 hours. Worst shift times though.