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Original poster

Getting a job with no work experience

15 replies

ono40 · 17/07/2023 21:05

My DS aged 18 has got on his bike and cycled round all the pubs, shops, leisure venues etc in our city looking for a full/part time job to earn money for a year before he goes to uni (hopefully). Due to covid, he did not do any work experience and was unable to get a Saturday job when in year 12 as this was when there were a lot of people returning from furlough and no-one here was recruiting. I wanted him to focus on his A levels in year 13 as I worked lots of hours when I was in upper sixth and bombed my A levels. Long story short, he has only got some volunteering experience (in the kitchen of a homeless shelter and in a charity shop, with Beavers and as a church welcomer). He is very willing and motivated to get a job but it is nigh on impossible. Does anyone have any ideas how to get started, what other volunteering he could do or anything else that might help?

OP posts:
redskytwonight · 17/07/2023 21:13

Other than the small independent shops everything near us needs you to apply online.

He may have more luck in September, or definitely in the run up to Christmas (where they will hopefully keep him on after the Christmas period).

Is he interested in being a lifeguard? They always seem to wanting people to cover that round here.

Is he selling the skills he's gained as part of his voluntary work?

SoberCurious2 · 17/07/2023 21:21

I also think he should apply online. I remember doing the whole touring round pubs and shops when I was that age, but I don't think it's the done thing anymore. I've worked in hospitality fairly recently and we only took people online. We did take inexperienced young people as we wanted to train them up. Try some of the higher end restaurants

Nowitstarts · 17/07/2023 21:24

Both my DC didn't do any paid work until they left school and both walked into jobs in McDonalds, who are actually an excellent employer IME, much better than independent pubs and cafes.

Nowitstarts · 17/07/2023 21:25

Yes, also everywhere except the small independents will be managing recruitment centrally and online.

UsingChangeofName · 17/07/2023 21:54

Tell him to talk to people that know him, in his volunteering capacity, to let them know he is looking for work.
My dc all got work offered them by people who knew them through Scouts, more than one job in some cases, and also odd jobs through people who knew them through Church.

Lovetotravel123 · 17/07/2023 21:56

How close is the countryside? How about local farms?

orangeleavesinautumn · 17/07/2023 21:56

temping agency?

children's nursery?

Newmum110 · 17/07/2023 21:59

I think it is a numbers game, he needs to get online & apply to everything anyway suitable.

Zireael · 18/07/2023 08:21

He should seriously consider becoming an apprentice, this is the perfect time of year when companies are advertising. It won't matter that he has no work experience, that is sort of the point - for people wanting to get into work, or back into work after long break, or retrain completely.

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/explore-your-education-and-training-choices/apprenticeship

Apprenticeships | National Careers Service

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/explore-your-education-and-training-choices/apprenticeship

Bromptotoo · 18/07/2023 10:06

Whereabouts - roughly speaking - are you?

Here in the South Midlands he'd be snapped up.

If he's OK with an office role he could try Citizens Advice. Maybe volunteer first; a lot of employees start that way.

Original poster
ono40 · 18/07/2023 11:40

Bromptotoo · 18/07/2023 10:06

Whereabouts - roughly speaking - are you?

Here in the South Midlands he'd be snapped up.

If he's OK with an office role he could try Citizens Advice. Maybe volunteer first; a lot of employees start that way.

We are just to the north of London, absolutely loads of jobs being advertised, he has applied online as well to well over 50 but nothing so far

OP posts:
Original poster
ono40 · 18/07/2023 11:42

Nowitstarts · 17/07/2023 21:24

Both my DC didn't do any paid work until they left school and both walked into jobs in McDonalds, who are actually an excellent employer IME, much better than independent pubs and cafes.

I have tried to persuade him to look at McDonalds, at least to start. He had bad acne though and so believes that the oil in the atmosphere might affect his skin. There is no evidence that it would but you know when young people get an idea in their heads, sometimes there is no budging it!

OP posts:
Original poster
ono40 · 18/07/2023 11:43

redskytwonight · 17/07/2023 21:13

Other than the small independent shops everything near us needs you to apply online.

He may have more luck in September, or definitely in the run up to Christmas (where they will hopefully keep him on after the Christmas period).

Is he interested in being a lifeguard? They always seem to wanting people to cover that round here.

Is he selling the skills he's gained as part of his voluntary work?

He has very bad scarring over his chest and back from acne and although he is a great swimmer, he can never take his top off so lifeguard may not be an option. Although I could talk to him about wearing a UV top that he could swim in. Round here you have to pay for lifeguard training though

OP posts:
Original poster
ono40 · 18/07/2023 11:50

Zireael · 18/07/2023 08:21

He should seriously consider becoming an apprentice, this is the perfect time of year when companies are advertising. It won't matter that he has no work experience, that is sort of the point - for people wanting to get into work, or back into work after long break, or retrain completely.

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/explore-your-education-and-training-choices/apprenticeship

Thanks - I thought applying for an apprenticeship might prevent him from applying to uni but it looks like it doesn't so I will suggest that.

OP posts:
UsingChangeofName · 18/07/2023 22:22

Round here you have to pay for lifeguard training though

Well yes, but you earn back the cost in the first week.
I'm going back a few years now, but when my youngest did her training, it cost her £250 for the week's training, and then she earned £360 in just the first week of work. You multiply that by 10 weeks of work, and the cost of the course is miniscule.

It does seem a bit like "I want a job but........"

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