Hen's teeth & job for young adult ?

[OnceWasThin]

My friend's son is absolutely desperate to find some work, any kind of job - he's tried all the usual - pub jobs, seasonal Tesco jobs, dog walkers, he's applied for every job under the sun but nothing! ( He's perfectly presentable , good work ethic etc). There just seem to be more people looking for those kinds of jobs than there are available- they're as rare as hen's teeth ! Is it just a bad time of the year? He has a driver's license. Any advice please! TIA!

Age? Experience? Full or part time? General location? Likely to go off to college or university in near future?

Whereabouts in the country is he? Has he looked on Indeed for jobs? There are usually loads of food and beverage jobs in local pubs/restaurants. My friends and I used to joke that the local Tesco was harder for young people to get a job at than anywhere else for about 20 miles, even the local Waitrose! I don't know what Tesco actually wants but their policy is completely different to other supermarkets. If you're in a big city, is there a catering temp agency? That's usually very short notice but they will take people with little experience as long as he can take plates to tables and politely take orders from customers as bigger restaurants just need people when their own staff call in sick.

I would say it's the best time of year, most retail stores, small and large will take on seasonal staff at this time of year. Recruitment for these types of roles often starts Sept/Oct but due to turnover recruitment will still run through Nov/Dec. Yes they're only temp but some staff will be kept on and if not, it's still going to help his CV. He'll have the most chance of he's fully flexible on what hours he can work.

No response to jobs applied for or Is he interviewed and turned down? Any trial periods? How is he applying for jobs?

@OnceWasThin can he swim well? If so, he can do an NPLQ lifeguarding qualification for about £300 then work as a lifeguard. It is relatively well paid, especially if the employer is a local authority, and there are always plenty of jobs advertised.

Otherwise, has your friend reviewed her son's CV for quality? Spelling and grammar errors can be very offputting.

As others have said, Indeed is a good place to look for jobs, but he needs to set appropriate filters.

If he's looking for full-time, has he also looked at apprenticeships?

My experience from personal experience is that the jobs market is extremely competitive right now, whatever your age/ experience. On paper, I have a blinding CV, and secured zero interviews in 7 months. I only managed to get my current job because a former colleague suggested contracting and endorsed me for a position. In my time unemployed, I eventually went for anything and everything from part time retail to data entry positions (I was a head of in my previous employment). I assumed they thought I was over qualified. My dh was made redundant a month ago and is likewise finding it hugely challenging, despite having 20+ years of experience in his industry. By all accounts, we're far from alone. But it's not hard to see why, when you see LinkedIn job ads that have been applied for by 500+ people.

On the assumption that your son's friend is suffering from inexperience, I'd suggest volunteering to him in the first instance while he looks for work. Then he at least has something tangible to put on his CV/ go to interview with.

Has he got any work experience? If not, I would suggest volunteering whilst he looks for work.

Also SEN TAs are normally in short supply, but the pay will be low as its term time only. But it can be a good way to get work if you have tge right temperament and are prepared to do some on the job training and courses.

My son is 16 and in sixth form. He works part time in McDonald’s. They advertise their jobs online on their own website under careers. It’s good pay and he’s learnt a lot. He also enjoys it. They only take you after July 1st when you have completed GCSE exams though

My DS worked at McDonalds from 16, initially reluctantly. Training was good and when he went to university he transferred to McD's there in term time and was taken back for regular shifts during the holidays.

I was just having this conversation with my 16yo regarding a friend’s son who is now labouring on a building site for work as he’s been unable to find anything. Just like fridgemagnette my DD thought he should do the lifeguard training, she’s just done it herself & there are other plenty of shifts. At our leisure centre they fund the course if you will take a full time post with them.

My 18 had a few jobs before uni. Never had a problem. Worked at Superdrug, tescos and Morrisons.

He needs to stand out from the rest so the more qualifications he can get the better
Lifeguarding
First Aid at Work
Food Hygiene
Bar skills / cocktail making
CSCS for construction so he can labour
Security qualification bouncer / store security guard

Or if he fancys something office based a proper Excel course or two to improve his skills.

We are having the same issue. My 19 DS has applied for everything and so far no luck.

He's at an advantage if he drives as he'll have options for jobs in places other young (non driving) folk don't...

Mine got a great job at a National Trust about 5 miles from our tiny town...it has very few buses so there was much less competition! Get him to look at any jobs that won't have hundreds of others applicants...

Where we are there are loads of jobs in care and that's what my DD (19) is doing. Not everyone's cup of tea but she loves it.

HCAs are always in demand. He can work as a carer - similarly, no issues finding a job as one. Labourers on a building site, but he must be prepared to put effort into it as most construction employers won't tolerate complaining or having a lie down in the middle of the shift. In larger cities, Pret is always looking for staff.

there’ve been some brilliant suggestions they hadn’t known of - catering staff ( not near a big city but they can still look into it), the lifeguard work!, TA and being a carer. I think volunteering if he doesn’t get anything yet will at least get him out and about. He’s a bit shy which doesn’t help. Thank you for all the responses ! It’s been very helpful!

The market is very tough. Might be worth looking at websites of big facilities management companies like ISS, Mitie, OCS, Sodexo, Amey etc as they will have jobs in things like cleaning, security, hospitality , sometimes things like leisure centre staff and those will be all over the country. You can start with something low level in FM and work your way up into a good career.

Are we talking paper round or bar work? Or a full time job - career pathway? Without specific interests or skills you are looking at min wage work. We have also had 16, 17 year old ‘begging’ for a job as they really want to work, and then to turn up late, or call in sick and eventually being let go. Need to be sure that he wants to actually work.