Struggling getting first job

[catr1na]

Wondering if anyone can offer any advice, my son is really struggling finding part time work. He is 17 and studying full time, he wants to earn his own money but he keeps getting turned down everywhere he is applying. He got a 2nd interview at McDonalds and he felt really positive about it, but they said no in the end. He is getting a bit disheartened and I was wondering if there were any tips anyone could offer. Thanks

My son is the same age and having the same problems. I think with full time study they don't have enough flexibility. I think we also need to recognise that McDonalds is a big company/big employer and that people want to work for them. The danger is he thinks 'I can't even get a job at McDonalds. .... I would suggest he concentrates on jobs which specifically want someone for weekends or evenings - cafe's, kitchen porter type of jobs.

Thanks for replying, he is definitely feeling a bit like "well I cant even get a job at McDonalds, so I'm useless" it's so hard for kids these days. I'm happy for him to concentrate on his ALevels for now, but he wants more money than I can give him.

How many applications has he made?
Could he do some voluntary work to get a good reference out of it?

I agree with lljkk, my DD applied for loads and got nowhere, there was so much competition. She then did voluntary work in the kitchen of a homeless charity. This led to a week's work experience with a company that supported the charity, who then offered her a very prestigious apprenticeship. If nothing else voluntary work will give him experience to make him stand out from all of the other candidates.

And just to add, all within about six weeks, so it wasn't like she was in unpaid work for ages (although the company she works for now positively encourage volunteering so she still does her bit!)

I have lost count of how many he has applied for, all the super markets, KFC, a few shops in town and signed up for an agency that apparently specialises in helping teenagers get work.

I will look into voluntary work, it would be good experience.

Do you know anybody who works in a shop that could suggest him . My ds worked in Primark during his A levels and uni and he helped quite a few of my friends younger dc get jobs when he’d been there for a couple of years by recommending them . They get so many applicants it’s often the leg up you need IYSWIM.

Voluntary work, work placements via school and family connections are the three most frequent things I see. The family connections seem to work well for front line staff as well as more senior people.

What about the 111 call centre? It's where i started out. Hours suited as I was studying so I took all the crap hours which no-one else wanted, including bank holidays, Christmas Day etc. 999 response centre is the same, I worked there too. That was the start of my NHS journey, I continued to work there throughout uni and then worked up the NHS ladder. I have a lot to thank that call centre for!