part time job age 16

[workage16]

I have no idea what he needs to do and I want to help him. I don't want to interfere or do it for him but he has asked for advice. He's been on Indeed (there was a thread here last week about that) and he has filled in a few applications.

He has no CV as such. Did a tiny bit of volunteering for DoE but COVID impacted that. Does he put on things like tennis and swimming as skills just to bulk it out? Some of the jobs have the option to upload a letter? Should he? Would it worth paying for him to do a food hygiene course just to keep him occupied for the nex few weeks. He'll be back in 6th form before we know it.

He only needs a few hours a week. We do not live in a place with all these jobs that we keep hearing about. In fact we have found very few that he can apply for given his age and not being old enough to drive or work late/early shifts. There is a fair bit of bar work and early morning shop work. I've looked up the rules and as he is just 16 (2 weeks ago) he isn't allowed to work very early or late. However, there is something about an exemption for certain industries. Does that mean she should apply to tesco etc who want possible 5am starts.

Put together a pretty brief CV including the volunteering.

At 16 I don't think he'd be allowed to do bar work, but jobs such as kitchen porter and waiter more likely. They'll definitely hire at 16.

If a job eg tesco employs him- they'll be well aware of the rules regarding working times etc so I wouldn't stress about that.

Best of luck :)

Also there's no harm in doing the food hygiene but I definitely don't think it's necessary. (Ex bar manager here)

thank you. Mainly want to keep him busy. We were put off the tesco type jobs because we read the rules about hours and the advert said must be available to do at least one early start (5am) per week so I assumed that screened him out.

Should he put GCSE predictions on it to make it look a bit longer?

Both my DS did a Food Hygiene course at the start of a summer holiday when at Uni. Our local Council run them once a month. It's just a day thing. Both found it really easy but they had both done A level Biology.
One was offered a job on the day by a Head Chef doing the refresher., and worked there every Uni holiday and while job hunting. Admitedly it was a rural Bistro, destination type place and he had access to my car. The other didn't manage to get anything, but not sure he tried very hard and doesn't drive.

Yes, he should put together a copy based on what he has done. At that age, my dd listed GCSE predicted grades and included positions of responsibility that she had held in school, DofE stuff, hobbies, achievements, awards etc. A lot of stuff to bulk it out that she wouldn't bother with now that she has a bit of work experience behind her!

Personally, I don't think indeed is the best approach for a 16yo with no experience. DD printed out several copies of her CV and walked round town with them, going into cafes and restaurants to ask if they were looking for staff. One of them said to contact them again in a couple of weeks, so she did, and they asked her to go for a trial shift. She has been working there for over a year now.

I'm willing to drive him places within reason. I just think it would be good for him to experience the world of work. He is keen to earn some money too. I don't like the idea of him being in/round a bar even collecting glasses but I think he is ruled out due to age rules.

Put the volunteering on, and maybe list the subjects he has taken. Wouldn't bother with predicted grades.
It might be worth adding in an accompanying letter that he's going to 6th form, and maybe able to continue working there at weekends or holidays. As people are having difficulty in finding staff it might make him more attractive.

Would add that dd has given the advice about walking in and asking about job opportunities to lots of her friends and it has worked for all of them, whereas online job applications have only really worked for a handful. There are loads of jobs around at the moment in hospitality etc, so he should be able to find something fairly easily.

He will get a waiting on /washing up job without the food hygiene. DD was taken on by a pub at 14 (nearly 15) and had been there over a year now.

We keep hearing about this mythical glut of jobs. No one has ads in their windows round here. Is that not done any more? Is it purely on spec?

DD's current employer paid for her to do a food hygiene certificate so I wouldn't bother with that for now. Unless he is particularly interested in it anyway.

I'll tell him to do that. There was a thread on here last week saying its all done online and utterly pointless dropping off CVs. Let's see

Around here the teen jobs seem to be McDonalds, glass collecting, waiting on, hairdressers reception, supermarkets, cafes.

No ads in windows, it's purely on spec. DD's employer gets speculative enquiries about jobs every week, so they just don't need to advertise.

Do you have a local jobs page on Facebook? That can be useful.

he's applied to McDonalds online

Awkward thing for him is he has always hated McDonalds won't even touch the fries.

nothing on them except over 18s only and cleaning/delievery jobs that need a car.

A bit niche, but both my children were employed as church organists from about 14 y.o.
When they were under 16 I needed a licence from the local council (an easy form to fill in and quick approval).
Over 16 you should just check the relevant laws in terms of number of hours and any other restrictions etc.

If they play a portable instrument, busking can be very lucrative btw. (£120 in 90 minutes on Staines high street)

Maybe I'll change jobs 😂

I've noticed on our local neighbourhood Facebook page, that parents often ask if any local companies are looking for 16/17yr old weekend staff. There's always a few suggestions come up and we live in an out of town area, not a major town.

this is really helpful. I'll help him with a CV and send him off

The nice thing about McDonalds is they employ a lot of teenagers. Both of my kids and my son’s partner have worked there and made some really good friends.