Applying for work online. What do I do about "no references?"

[LBIJim]

It is hard to skip the online application when many larger compaies only do them now. Walmart even if you go in store you are still doing it on a computer.

Someone mentioned Target. It may be different in other areas, but the Target stores around here all have a computer where you fill out your application "in person." No such thing anymore as a paper application, as far as I can tell.

My company only accepts online applications for entry level positions, as do many others. If someone asks in person, they are referred to the website.

 

[HM]

It's been 25 years since I applied to a job, but my son is getting done with his summer job and will now be looking for new work. The two places he's been so far, had paper applications. He is applying at more 'mom and pop' type places though, not a large franchise or corporate store. Maybe the OP can think about branching out to looking at more local places.

 

[mom2rtk]

It's been 25 years since I applied to a job, but my son is getting done with his summer job and will now be looking for new work. The two places he's been so far, had paper applications. He is applying at more 'mom and pop' type places though, not a large franchise or corporate store. Maybe the OP can think about branching out to looking at more local places.

I think that's a great suggestion.

 

[Happy Snowman]

What about friends of your parents? Would any of them be willing to be a reference for you?

 

[Ceila]

You've been out of high school for 8 years. Surely there must be some activity, volunteer group, religious organization, something that you've been involved with in all that time?

 

[ckay87]

Believe it or not, places like Target can be and ARE fairly picky. My sons are constantly applying for part time jobs so I have some thoughts....

1-Look for seasonal work, just to beef up your work experience/ references. THIS is the time. Beginning next month places are going to need tons and tons of extra workers. Apply at every retail establishment known to man. Depending on where you live, there may be other seasonal opportunities such as ski resorts who need hundreds of employees for many various positions for a short period of time. They are not as picky.

2-Kind of tied to #1, look for job fairs. Our local ski resort has a job fair every year and they hire most of that season's staff right there, on the spot.

3-Temp agencies. Use a reputable one. I did this work for many years as a young adult and it ultimately landed me the job that I still have today. You apply through them, so they are the only ones you have to explain your reference situation to, not the companies at which you'll be working.

4-Fast food. It's a drag, but they are MUCH less picky about references and work history. If I recall.... and I could be wrong....McDonalds and/or Burger King don't even ask for references.

These are just ideas for some short term gigs that you can get that will get you something of a work history and also put you in touch with people who can speak to your character/work ethic. If you are friendly and do good work, you could get yourself some nice references. I had a TON of amazing references after doing temp work, for example. After bouncing all over different companies, I had all kinds of people who could vouch for me.

And one other thing. It's true that the vast majority of places ask you to apply online. Do that, of course, but follow up within days of doing so. Call and ASK for an interview. If you think about it, these lower skill jobs can be filled by any trainable body. You get an edge for showing that you are really interested.

Good luck

 

[kacaju]

Can you try a small company? my dd18 never had a job in HS because she was busy with school plus she shows dogs on the weekends. She graduated in May and could not even get a job at Pet Smart (one was opening up near us) due to the fact she never held a job before. She has plenty of volunteering and one of the managers is her friends Dad...but since it was a new store opening they would not consider her. She now has a job at a small Pet Boarding place...the owner was thrilled when she said she showed dogs (this meant a lot to the owner)..so bottom line is she now is getting the experience she needed for the entry level Pet Smart job....this is what her friends dad said.

 

[Foxhound3857]

I just picked up an application for Gamestop. I was told I'd have decent prospects for landing an interview here for three reasons:

1. I have a clean background with no criminal record or history of drug or alcohol abuse.
2. I have a very flexible schedule and am able to work all hours of the day, any day of the week (important for a small-team business like this where time flexibility is critical).
3. I have extensive knowledge of games, consoles, and current news in the industry. This is something Gamestop looks for in its applicants.

I'm filling out the application now. The one part I'm worried about is that I have no experience working in retail because I've never had a job before, so I can't fill out the part of the application that asks for past employers and experience. Do I just leave this blank and hope for the best? Is this going to significantly hurt my chances? I'm always willing and eager to learn, but...

Should I try and write a resume to go with my application? The fact that I have no past work history or experience tells me that a resume would probably do me no good, and I've never written one before. What do you guys recommend I do to have the best chance of landing an interview for Gamestop?

Edit: I can fill out ONE section of Employment History. It would be part time construction for my dads company, C.G Installations, and Summary of Duties would show as "Kitchen equipment installation and repair."

 

[disneychrista]

I would not bother with a resume unless there is something on it that would not be on the application.

 

[Aliceacc]

Help us to help you.

Tell us what you've done since high school. Did you take classes somewhere? If so, then what type and how many? Have you done any volunteer work? What exactly did you do for dad's company? And for how long?

It's been 6 years- over 2,200 days. What have you been doing? How have you paid for food and shelter? Have you done volunteer work? How have you filled those 2,200 days?

I'm not giving you a hard time-- you've been doing SOMETHING. Tell us what it is and we'll help you spin it into a positive light that will help you land a job.

 

[scoutie]

I think you're over-worrying. You have some work experience, which you've written on the application. You have three things in your favor to land you an interview. Once you land an interview, you can explain that you don't have retail experience, but are a quick learner. Good luck! In college, I used to train people as restaurant servers. A clean criminal record and a desire to work is more important than specific experience. That's what trainers are there for.

I'm a teacher, and have had many students ask me to be their reference. I'm happy to do it, and I bet one of your teachers will be too.

 

[scoutie]

. If I recall.... and I could be wrong....McDonalds and/or Burger King don't even ask for references.

I'm doing a career unit with my middle school students right now, and I just taught them how to fill out a McDonald's job application. They do ask for three references, and a personal/character reference. We are doing mock job interviews on Monday!

 

[Nettester]

Think of any adults who are not relatives or friends who would be able to vouch for your character such as

1) Teachers
2) Coaches/Club leaders for any activities you have been involved
3) Volunteer coordinators
4) People you have done babysitting for, lawn mowing, pet sitting, etc
5) Church/religious organization leaders

 

[Mkrop]

I would fill in the place you worked for your dad. I would use one of your coworkers as a reference, esp if one of them supervised you.

Did you do any babysitting or yardwork for neighbors? DS16 used our two neighbors as references bc he watered their gardens while they were away for two summers. He also used a friend of the family bc he took care of their garden and fed their turtles.

I bet you have done something that could be put down, like another poster said we just need more.

Good luck with Gamestop, but I would also not just count on that place. I agree with another poster to see if you can do some more local places that might not have online apps.

I was once a reference for my brother when he was 16. I was married by than and had a different last name and I told them he had babysat for me, he had sort of. But that was preFacebook too, so I dont know if today they could figure out I was his sister