Summer job prior to going to Uni

[Onthemoooove]

DD has now finished college and has 4 months ahead of her before starting uni. She's desperate to earn some money but accepts most employers won't be interested in someone who will be disappearing in September. In fact, she's had no luck finding anything all year, has tried local hospitality businesses & shops and applied for numerous jobs on indeed with no luck, so will be even harder now. She has been volunteering in a charity shop for months in an attempt to boost her cv.

Does anyone have any ideas?The only idea we had was summer holiday clubs but they seem to be few and far between.

Would be grateful for any suggestions!

Thanks!

'why does she need a job' lol.

It is really tough out there. Both my kids have struggled. My son tried for around a year from age 16 but got nowhere and gave up to focus on his A levels. He'll be trying again once they finish but it's really knocked him not being able to get one.

My son found success applying in person. He’d just go in have a chat and drop off his CV, then follow up with another call or visit a week later.

@toyland

It is tricky and that first job is always the hardest to get. The older they get without a paid part time job the harder it is for them as they are competing against those that have experience. My kids all got jobs after GCSEs, my daughter at the Xmas getting a Xmas retail job and working her socks off and got kept on as pennant, many didn’t as they weren’t very good. She’s also now picked up, after finishing A levels an additional waitressing job at a local high end place in the Evernt marque for weddings and other summer events. That’s a good one to target, wedding and other events companies. Thankfully she drives and runs a car so not reliant on me!
My son has had various different jobs since 16 now 20, retail, hospitality, uni reception, Jobs can be found on indeed, but they are very competitive as that’s where everyone looks. I often look for opportunities for him!! Picked up a casual job at his uni town a few months ago at local theatre on the bar, zero hours (I found this by looking on website not on indeed) he’s now home for summer and has applied for lots without success, however when I got hold of his CV I notified he’d edited it and it wasn’t very good, lots of waffle, too long and had errors, I’ve now reworked it for him and he’s been asked for a few interviews and secured a job at a pub for the summer. Again this job was found via scouring social media of companies and websites, not indeed. So I would review CV, state at the top, seeking part time work for summer etc, have customer service expertise etc….it’s an opportunity to sell yourself, clearly and succinctly not waffle. Also check no spelling/grammatical errors. Also have to be resilient and keep trying and looking at different options to indeed. If you do use indeed, check the companies website and if possible apply direct rather than through indeed. Also be quick to apply and only for jobs advertised in just the last few days. Good luck.

Also - use Chat GPT/Co Pilot to draft your CV for you. At least it will then be in a succint and acceptable format and you can still personalise it.

My DS has applied to be a mystery shopper for a few firms. I'm not sure whether it will give her enough money ( My DS is in year 12 so just needs some money to go out with his friends once a week atm) Its flexible and they were looking for 18-19 year olds to do age compliance. I suspect holiday park etc jobs are harder to get in London, whereas if you live in a place where people go on holiday it may be a bit easier, but they do have a lot of shops- and probably a lot of non compliance!

DS got his first job aged 17 at a local recycling centre. Check out local authority vacancies.

Just to update to say she has a job!

She's working at a summer holiday club in a local school. She sent her cv to loads of local places including all the local holiday clubs/camps. None replied or said they had no vacancies, except one! Loving it so far and, fingers crossed she'll have work whenever she's home for the holidays. So glad her perseverance paid off!

Thank you for all the suggestions.

Well done to your DD. A big plus for her on her CV for post grad jobs showing a good work ethic.
I bet she can’t wait for her first pay day!

Well done to your DD. Mine found getting subsequent jobs after the that 1st job much easier.

Well done that’s great.

Great news! The cash from jobs over the long summer holidays helped my dc not go overdrawn as a student and has been great for cv

What is her CV like?

There are always summer jobs to be had if they if they make an effort with CV, are presentable, able to communicate, can answer mobile phone, aren’t too picky, prepared to work hard and get up at a reasonable hour.

Filter jobs on Indeed for summer, temporary and zero hour contracts and apply for anything and everything going. Send off and or give out CV’s and covering letters to any potential employers in the area. Ask your friends, family and work colleagues to let them know if they hear about any jobs available over summer. If all else fails McDonalds or Dominoes are always advertising.

The OP has updated the thread

Yes, and I would say it's worth approaching companies direct. The company she's working for weren't advertising but invited her in for a chat after seeing her cv and covering email. Offered her a job on the spot!