16 Year Old and a Job - any job ...

[justjulie]

Is anyone else's child having problems finding employment? My son has been looking for months and nothing - not even a call back for a chance at anything and not even (gasp) McDonalds or Tim's - nothing ....

If anyone has any suggestions, send them my way - really, anything ...

 

[monkey30]

maybe put out a few flyers and offer to cut lawns, or even go to a few landscape companies and see it they will hire.

p/t jobs are starting to getting where I live as well.

 

[KeroKero]

Is there anyone you know working a retail job in a mall nearby? Grocery Store. It's easier to get in if he has an in, especially not having any work experience.

If any of his friends have jobs, maybe they can put in a good word for him at their places of employment.

 

[Jedana]

I would seriously pay to have some teenager cut my lawn and weeds. Well, DH would, since that's his job.

There must be 10 teens, and about the same preteens, in my little cul-de-sac, and not one of them has gone out looking for a job in the neighborhood.

And yes, here it is very difficult to find a job. Most of the "summer jobs" are being held by adults (still over 8% unemployment here). Heck, I still can't find a job, and I was laid off in 2009.

 

[justjulie]

He is networking with all his friends who may be going off to college to speak on his behalf but even that is not helping - no one is hiring - like I said, not even McDonalds or Tim Hortons!

We'll keep trying and hopefully he'll be there at the right time somewhere. The last time he handed his resume, application and cover letter all in an envelope - the lady held it up to everyone and said "look at this, in an envelope, no one does that anymore" - he was a little taken aback as he thought everyone applied for a job with all those things AND an envelope ...

Even the landscapers are not hiring around here unless you have your own transportation and can lift a certain weight load (given he's only 100 pounds that puts him at a disadvantage) ...

 

[me_minnie_me]

As a bookkeeper in a grocery store - I just want to let you know that sometime we are looking for employees that can work more than just the summer months. It takes time and money to train the employees properly. Then when they are ready to be on their own - the summer students will have at most a month to really work before going back to school. If your son is willing to work during the school year - even just 1-2 shifts a week - then his options might open up more. I'm not trying to be discouraging - just pointing out the employers point of view of needing year round staff.

 

[dontthrowsand]

It isn't easy here either. Most jobs are not summer jobs and for me to find a job worth doing during school is fairly hard. I will never be able to find a job that pays me as much as I currently make to be part time with the flexibility I would need.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

My 16 year old son just got a job at our local YMCA as a camp counsellor for the summer. We are so grateful .

Paid training, 40 hours per week, no evenings or weekends, $11.24 per hour, a barbecue lunch every Friday, weekly trips with the campers, swimming every day......I keep telling him this is a DREAM JOB (and he knows it is! .... sure beats flipping burgers or making coffee).

His friends have been pounding the pavement with no success.

I credit his volunteer hours for securing him such a great position. He spent last summer at various places (church summer camps, volunteering at youth sports leagues, etc.) working for ZERO pay, just to get the experience to put on his resume. Happily, it seems to have paid off.

Good luck to your kiddo.....fingers crossed he will find something soon!

 

[who's ur daddy?]

I credit his volunteer hours for securing him such a great position. He spent last summer at various places (church summer camps, volunteering at youth sports leagues, etc.) working for ZERO pay, just to get the experience to put on his resume.

This is brilliant.

Young kids seem to have it so tough today. Even when they're older, a university degree doesn't guarantee a good job.

Good luck!

 

[justjulie]

He is willing (and hoping to) stay on part-time all through the school year and he's told everyone that - he will give them shifts during the week and will make himself available all weekend - nothing.

He trained for a week and volunteered for the past two summers at a multi-sports camp for kids so that is on his resume under "volunteering" - still nothing - he's even willing to wash dishes ...

Here's hoping something will open up when the college kids head off to school ...

 

[disEAR]

Just help him keep his head up and it'll happen. With volunteer experience, good references , it won't be long before someone gives him the chance. Best of luck to you both

 

[KarmaLady]

Is there an employment centre in your area? Employers can get subsidies for hiring students through employment Ontario. Try there, kijiji, Facebook (some employment agencies post jobs on there), www.jobbank.gc.ca, networking...
Good luck!

 

[Whereisalyssa]

Many retail jobs in ontario hire for christmas at the end of august/beginning of september - I would say if he can't find anything until then to definitely be on the hunt around that time!

 

[formill]

My 16 (almost 17) year old FINALLY got a job at McDonalds.....we even went to one McDonalds in person....thinking they are maybe just not getting the online applications/resumes.........only to be told they will ONLY accept them online...we found that with so many places.......they will take no resumes or anything in person.....you have to apply online......and Wal Mart only accepts anything if they have an open position........so good part.......no driving around....Tim's, McDonalds, Wal Mart.......just keep sending them in online........!! It finally worked for our daughter.......we were getting so worried.......how do you save for school when you can't get a job!!!

 

[sjsjbrook]

My dd17 has been trying for a year. Most places are looking for 18 year olds, and she doesn't turn that until December.

She has had interviews where they measured her for a uniform and then didn't get the job, because she wasn't 18.

She got a job teaching dance but that is only 2 hours a week and won't pay for much while she is in University in the fall.

She had an interview on Tuesday so I am hopeful that one will work for her. She has been trying so hard.

 

[pigletto]

My 16 year old son just got a job at our local YMCA as a camp counsellor for the summer. We are so grateful .

Paid training, 40 hours per week, no evenings or weekends, $11.24 per hour, a barbecue lunch every Friday, weekly trips with the campers, swimming every day......I keep telling him this is a DREAM JOB (and he knows it is! .... sure beats flipping burgers or making coffee).

His friends have been pounding the pavement with no success.

I credit his volunteer hours for securing him such a great position. He spent last summer at various places (church summer camps, volunteering at youth sports leagues, etc.) working for ZERO pay, just to get the experience to put on his resume. Happily, it seems to have paid off.

Good luck to your kiddo.....fingers crossed he will find something soon!

Oh my god. I was a YMCA camp counsellor for years and then an employee for more years. It didn't even pay minimum wage to work the camps back then (about 15 years ago). You got a stipend which was criminal considering what a huge responsibility the job is. But I digress.. tell him congrats! It's a good organization to work for and apparently much better than in my day if they get an hourly rate now!!

Op get your son to try summer camps as well. They are ALWAYS looking for male staff because it's traditionally just the girls that apply.

 

[wtpfan]

One piece of advice I can give as a mother of a 17 year old....apply once a week at the same place. We really wanted our son to get in at Canadian tire near our home (within walking distance). Last summer he got hired after applying about 10 times. We were soooo happy because we don't have to drive him!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Oh my god. I was a YMCA camp counsellor for years and then an employee for more years. It didn't even pay minimum wage to work the camps back then (about 15 years ago). You got a stipend which was criminal considering what a huge responsibility the job is. But I digress.. tell him congrats! It's a good organization to work for and apparently much better than in my day if they get an hourly rate now!!

Op get your son to try summer camps as well. They are ALWAYS looking for male staff because it's traditionally just the girls that apply.

No hourly wage?!?! Man, have we come along way in 15 years!!!

You are so right on the female vs. male applicants for camp counsellor positions. At our Y, there are only four male counsellors (out of 17). I am amazed more guys dont pursue this as a summer job.....I know child care isnt typically something teen boys gravitate to, but when its in the context of a sports camp (or one of their other themed weeks) it really is a lot of fun.

 

[averysmom]

One piece of advice I can give as a mother of a 17 year old....apply once a week at the same place. We really wanted our son to get in at Canadian tire near our home (within walking distance). Last summer he got hired after applying about 10 times. We were soooo happy because we don't have to drive him!

I totally agree with this. Make it easy to hire him... it doesn't matter if he's next on the list, or buried under 50 other applications - if they need someone and he's there, he'll get the job.

 

[Gigi22]

Does your DS have friends/siblings who have already gotten summer jobs? One of them might be able to let him know when their employer is hiring.