Why can't my brainy, confident, very nice son (16) get a part-time job?

Question

I have a nice hardworking son just about to go to college and he really wants to work on his spare days. So far he has applied for over 40 jobs across the board (he's not fussy what he does) and not had one interview. He has a great CV and is sensible, dilligent and willing to undertake almost anything. He needs lots of equiptment for his college course and wants to help out here and there with the cost; as well as needing some pocket money for himself. We just aren't having any luck.

Answer 1

Anyone who wants to take a first step in a new direction will tell you how hard it is to find work in an industry in which you have no experience. I would imagine this would be your son’s first job, and although he could be a fantastic chap, employers would often look at previous experience. If he has none, recruiters are more likely to place him at the bottom of their pile.

I would recommend 2 courses of action which don’t contradict one another:

1. Get your son to sign up with some high street agencies: the likes of Kelly Service, Brook Street, Adecco, Blue Arrow, Manpower and the likes might find it easier to place your son in temporary/part time jobs. Remember that sending your CV in just won’t do anymore. Your son will have to call the agency and follow up on his CV, arrange to meet up with them and take a computer skills aptitude test. He should also ask them what chances they think he has in getting the jobs he would be after, and keep calling them at least once a week after signing up.

2. Network: many jobs are not advertised in the local papers or the internet. Ask your friends, and have your son ask his friends and his friends’ parents. From this growing circle of people you all know someone will probably come up with a suitable job for your son. This will allow him to set that first foot in the door and starting to gain some of that coveted experience.

You both much remember, though, that sometimes finding a job can take a while, and might even prove to be a little discouraging. Always follow up and never take anything personally: it’s just business.

Best of luck to you both.

Answer 2

Employers may see him as overqualified. Is he attaching a resume? If so, does his resume (or application) say he is currently attending college? Depending on the employer, I might not include information about college because some employers may be looking for someone more committed to the organization...not someone who will likely leave when he or she finds something better.

For example, if he's a biology major applying for a job as a vet tech, he's likely to appreciate the position as a source of valuable experience. However, if he's an accounting major and wants a job at Starbucks or McDonald's, it's clear that he just wants some extra cash. Maybe he should try applying for a job that is related to his major.

Answer 3

I went through the same sort of thing when I was his age, I had no experience at all so people were reluctant to hire me. If he applies for jobs like mcdonalds, supermarkets, glass collectors, etc, and sticks with it for a couple of months, he can then apply for something that he might enjoy a bit better but being 16 he can't really be picky about where he works. I got a job in mcdonalds when i was 17 and stayed for 2 weeks before getting another job in a clothes shop. Also, with christmas coming up, he might be taken on by the retail sector looking for extra staff for christmas, so it wont be long before he is successful!

Answer 4

Age Discrimination. I'm an adviser on this issue, this October there's a new legislation saying that employers cannot turn down an employee because of age - they must give another valid reason. I imagine in part your son's age is responsible for not getting any feedback.

Try aiming for minimum wage jobs, it sounds terrible but he wont get taxed and he's most likely to find employment there. Learning to drive at 17 would increase his range of work, meaning greater job opportunities.

Try to get references from school heads, friends, anyone reliable who doesn't have the same surname!

Good luck, keep trying, all the best in the job market.

Hope this helps

Answer 5

Perhaps his own business may be just the ticket he needs to make more money than he'll make at McDonalds. Also, tell him to go to his high school's guidance counselor and see if there is a job board that local employers call into specifically to recruit high school students. They don't publicize those situations or they'd be bombarded with kids applying for the few jobs that become available.

Answer 6

May I suggest an industrial employee agency.

They're the scum of the earth, but they can find jobs for just about anyone. If you go see one today he could be working by tomorrow.

The sorts of work I have done were dustman, street sweeper, machine operator in a plastics factory, etc. For most of these jobs you don't need to be 18 years old.

It's tough work, but you get paid and it counts as work experience.

The great thing about an agency is they work to find you a job.

Today I work as an electronics engineer.

Answer 7

Could be he is too eager or nervous for the person taking the applications. Is he staying local or going out of town? Does everyone like him or does it matter since it's not a small town. I don't know. This happened a lot to me too. Get him help with whatever he is doing wrong or he will lose his confidence.

Note: they say they want hard workers, but they tend not to hire people who write down ALL of their skills and activities. So if he's like, a genius or something, have him only write down a few things, not everything he's involved in or able to do.

Answer 8

Take a very good look at his CV, try to limit what he has written in his interests and hobbies section (if there is one) as a lot of employers will 'pass over' people who play a lot of sports etc. Keep his hobbies to a min on his CV making sure to downplay sports, and socialising aspects.

Keep trying for part-time work at supermarkets, etc its most likely to get part-time jobs for young people in big chain stores as they are used to staff staying for short periods and leaving or cutting down hours to study.

It can be hard to get your first job as a lot of places look for some experience but dont give up hope!

Good luck

Answer 9

I don't know what kinds of jobs he's applying for but here's my idea. He's 16 so the parents can still get involved without it being a problem. Ask your friends, people at work and church, and the owners of some of the businesses you frequent about the possibility of his working for them.

Most likely he'll end up with a better paying job with a higher comfort factor than he would by just applying blindly for God-knows-what kind of employment.

I own a technology/technical business and I often ask my friends etc. if their kids are looking for work. (And I pay them VERY well and treat them VERY good...I know their work ethic, background, etc. It makes it a lot easier on me...as well as them.)

Answer 10

There could be a lot of reasons why he isn't getting any interviews. Is he dressing appropriately when he walks in to get an application? does he speak well? What do the applications that he turns in look like? Are they messy and hard to read? What are his references saying about him? Do you know? I don't know of a mcdonalds or burger king that won't hire a 16 year old boy! Check all of that out and good luck to both of you.