Getting a job

[secrets0stolen]

I'd like to get a job. I plan on applying at various place close to me. Gas stations, grocery stores, maybe a restaurant if I can work out transport--minimum wage is fine with me. I'm concerned though, that employers won't want to hire me because of my age. Any tips on presenting myself as a great hire?

[James81]

Put in your applications.

Call each business once a week and ask them if they are hiring or if they have reviewed your application.

If you don't get any job inteviews through that method, then drop by in person about once a month and get in front of the manager and ask them face to face if they are hiring or have looked at your application.

My mom always told me that if you want a job, go after it aggressively like that. Put yourself in front of them so much, and have your name and face in their head so much, that you are the first one they are thinking about when they DO go to hire people.

Make sure you dress nice (but don't overdo it...if you're applying to McDonalds, don't show up in a prom dress ). Make sure you're always courteous, saying thank you for their time.

Yes, using this method, i've had 14 jobs in my life.

[James81]

Oh, and the NUMBER ONE in for a job is to find someone you know who works for them or has worked for them to give you a good reference.

A lot of time, landing your first job is a matter of WHO you know, now WHAT you know. But if you don't know anybody like that, you're not out of the game.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by secrets0stolen

--minimum wage is fine with me. ....Any tips on presenting myself as a great hire?

If I were you, I'd drop "minimum wage is fine with me" from my presentation - not just saying it, but BEING it. The value you have to offer is worth a whole stinkin' lot more than minimum wage -- please don't sell yourself short.

Plus: distinguish your values, and choose a job that expresses those values, rather than just being at the effect of whatever crappy jobs might be available.

[Savage]

Maybe we could all pitch in and create a Forum Slave position for secrets. At minimum wage that should be easy enough to scrape together.

Then her job could be to do whatever anyone in the forums tells her to do.

I'll bet it would be a great educational opportunity for her.

[gigij]

That's a little ... ummm ... creepy.

[James81]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Maybe we could all pitch in and create a Forum Slave position for secrets. At minimum wage that should be easy enough to scrape together.

Then her job could be to do whatever anyone in the forums tells her to do.

I'll bet it would be a great educational opportunity for her.

Originally Posted by gigij

That's a little ... ummm ... creepy.

Welp, time to throw some popcorn into the microwave, cause here we go.

[Savage]

Originally Posted by gigij

That's a little ... ummm ... creepy.

It's a lot creepy... much like any other job.

[Angela]

s0s, I'm not saying this is what Steve is intending to point out, but slaving away your hours for minimum wage drudgery in a job you don't love sounds about as inspiring as the boundariless, standardless slavery he's talking about.

Which is to say, not inspiring at all.

[MidasGirl]

What excites you secrets? What do you love doing?

[escapeplan]

Originally Posted by secrets0stolen

I'd like to get a job. I plan on applying at various place close to me. Gas stations, grocery stores, maybe a restaurant if I can work out transport--minimum wage is fine with me. I'm concerned though, that employers won't want to hire me because of my age. Any tips on presenting myself as a great hire?

Congratulations on being so determined to make such an effort. It's great to see people making a positive start. I'm sure you will find something regardless of your age.

[ssandra]

I personally loved getting my first job. It wasn't about the money, it was about the experience of working. Of having a rythm to stick to, of being there, and learning.

Right now, I wouldn't want a fixed job anymore. I need to be my own boss. But if I didn't have a job before, I wouldn't have learned a lot of valuable skills.

So, I'd say go for it!

I personally liked working the cash register in the supermarket best, because I didn't have to think, could just do. My thoughts were my own and I made it a "contest" to always be the fastest. It was fun!

I also liked working in a clothing store. It was nice to help people try on new things and suggesting things for them. I also met a lot of great people there, some who were my best friend in that period of time.

[James81]

Originally Posted by ssandra

I personally loved getting my first job. It wasn't about the money, it was about the experience of working. Of having a rythm to stick to, of being there, and learning.

Right now, I wouldn't want a fixed job anymore. I need to be my own boss. But if I didn't have a job before, I wouldn't have learned a lot of valuable skills.

So, I'd say go for it!

I personally liked working the cash register in the supermarket best, because I didn't have to think, could just do. My thoughts were my own and I made it a "contest" to always be the fastest. It was fun!

I also liked working in a clothing store. It was nice to help people try on new things and suggesting things for them. I also met a lot of great people there, some who were my best friend in that period of time.

For me it was delivering pizzas. That was my favorite job evar.

[gigij]

Originally Posted by Angela

Plus: distinguish your values, and choose a job that expresses those values, rather than just being at the effect of whatever crappy jobs might be available.

Do you think it’s possible for a 16 year old to just get a job at the local restaurant or store something without it having to be a negative experience?

Maybe learn a little something, gain some experience, meet some new people, get out of the house, get a little spending money for fun?

Why does that have to mean ‘slaving away your hours in drudgery’?

I actually think that perspective is pretty limiting …

[escapeplan]

Originally Posted by gigij

Do you think it’s possible for a 16 year old to just get a job at the local restaurant or store something without it having to be a negative experience?

Maybe learn a little something, gain some experience, meet some new people, get out of the house, get a little spending money for fun?

Why does that have to mean ‘slaving away your hours in drudgery’?

I actually think that perspective is pretty limiting …

No concept of slavery I would imagine

[LostMyMap]

Originally Posted by secrets0stolen

I'd like to get a job. I plan on applying at various place close to me. Gas stations, grocery stores, maybe a restaurant if I can work out transport--minimum wage is fine with me. I'm concerned though, that employers won't want to hire me because of my age. Any tips on presenting myself as a great hire?

Well without telling what kind of job to get or not, I would say this. To present yourself as a great hire: be someone who is responsible, listens, cares about what they are doing, even if it is washing a dish, someone who is is personable and can get along with other co-workers and especially customers.

If you are that, and I think you are, then you won't have a problem, no matter what the job is.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by gigij

Do you think it’s possible for a 16 year old to just get a job at the local restaurant or store something without it having to be a negative experience?

Maybe learn a little something, gain some experience, meet some new people, get out of the house, get a little spending money for fun?

Why does that have to mean ‘slaving away your hours in drudgery’?

I actually think that perspective is pretty limiting …

Of course it's possible for a 16 year old to just get a job at the local restaurant or store or something without it having to be a negative experience. For many 16 year olds, all of those benefits you listed may be perfectly satisfying and fulfilling.

But this is secrets0stolen we're talking about here. She's up to some pretty extraordinary things in life, which is why I encourage her to think bigger -- to creating an opportunity for herself in which she not only gets experience, money, away-from-house time, new connections, and (more than) a little spending money, but also one that expresses her highest values -- an opportunity that really inspires her and lights her up.

"You musn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling."
-- Eames, Inception

[Savage]

Getting one's first job can be a positive experience at first glance. I had only one job, working at a video game store, and overall I liked working there. I basically got to talk about video games all day long.

It's the "learned helplessness" conditioning that's hard to undo later in life. One reason so many people complain they can't find jobs today is that they've been conditioned to believe they're powerless to create their own work and their own independent income streams. They think they need someone else to provide work for them and to pay them. That conditioning is hurting a lot of people these days, making them desperate as they lose their homes and such.

[escapeplan]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Getting one's first job can be a positive experience at first glance. I had only one job, working at a video game store, and overall I liked working there. I basically got to talk about video games all day long.

It's the "learned helplessness" conditioning that's hard to undo later in life. One reason so many people complain they can't find jobs today is that they've been conditioned to believe they're powerless to create their own work and their own independent income streams. They think they need someone else to provide work for them and to pay them. That conditioning is hurting a lot of people these days, making them desperate as they lose their homes and such.

Actually Steve you've got that very right and you must bail out before that stage or struggle to later on like I did. I don't know how it grinds you down but it takes quite a few years. For now I'd just wish her luck.

[gigij]

Originally Posted by Angela

She's up to some pretty extraordinary things in life, which is why I encourage her to think bigger -- to creating an opportunity for herself in which she not only gets experience, money, away-from-house time, new connections, and (more than) a little spending money, but also one that expresses her highest values -- an opportunity that really inspires her and lights her up.

[/I]

Well maybe I'm wrong but I got the vibe that she has a lot of high expectations placed on her already, and that is a problem for her.

She's not choosing her life's work here - it's her first part time job.

Maybe she should just see what's out there without overthinking it ... I don't think that she really needs the added pressure of expecting to find her lifes inspiration and purpose in it. She has lots of time for that ...

And besides - her job does not define her - and inspiration is everywhere.

[James81]

Haha, let's talk about her in the third person like she's not even here. It's funner that way.

[escapeplan]

Originally Posted by James81

Haha, let's talk about her in the third person like she's not even here. It's funner that way.

Sorry I can't see her

[gigij]

Originally Posted by James81

Haha, let's talk about her in the third person like she's not even here. It's funner that way.

Yes - you've got in trouble for that one before haven't you James.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by gigij

Well maybe I'm wrong but I got the vibe that she has a lot of high expectations placed on her already, and that is a problem for her.

I don't know about that. Secrets0stolen, are my high expectations for you to be head over heels in love with your life a problem for you?

She's not choosing her life's work here - it's her first part time job.

Her first part time job is one of her life choices. Why not make a choice that works really, really well? (sorry to speak of you in the 3rd person, s0s. )

Maybe she should just see what's out there without overthinking it ... I don't think that she really needs the added pressure of expecting to find her lifes inspiration and purpose in it. She has lots of time for that ....

That's a choice, too! I trust her to listen to all of our "tips" and make the right choice for herself. I'm pretty sure she can handle my "added pressure" of generating inspiration and purpose in ALL of her choices.

secrets, you would tell me if I was wrong about that, wouldn't you?

[gigij]

Originally Posted by Angela

I'm pretty sure she can handle my "added pressure" of generating inspiration and purpose in ALL of her choices.

Well as long as you are sure - that's the important thing.

But I'll tell you what I saw.

I saw her posting in her OP that she was OK with a minimum wage job - and I saw you replying that was not 'good enough'. That she needs to think bigger - and find something more inspiring.

Well I'm giving her my perspective. That it is good enough. That she has enough pressure and people in her real life telling her that what she is doing isn't 'good enough' - she doesn't need more of that. Even if it is with the best of intentions. I'm sure her parents have the best intentions for her too - and we know how that is working out.

[escapeplan]

Originally Posted by gigij

Well as long as you are sure - that's the important thing.

But I'll tell you what I saw.

I saw her posting in her OP that she was OK with a minimum wage job - and I saw you replying that was not 'good enough'. That she needs to think bigger - and find something more inspiring.

Well I'm giving my perspective. That it is good enough. That she has enough pressure and people in her real life telling her that what she is doing isn't 'good enough' - she doesn't need more of that. Even if it is with the best of intentions. I'm sure her parents have the best intentions for her too - and we know how that is working out.

Well said- we could do with more young people getting up and looking for opportunities. How unique to find someone worried about being too young to work. Give encouragement for goodness sake- it's an adventure into the world and the first steps to an independent life.

[Savage]

If I were 16 today, relatively unskilled, and wanted to gain experience and make some extra cash, I'd pick a hobby that interested me and build an SBI site around it. That assumes I didn't already know how to start an Internet business.

When I was 16, I was really into video games, so most likely I'd have created a game-oriented site. I would have loved it so much if there was a service like that available when I was 16. But alas, there wasn't much of an Internet available then.

That way, within a year or less, I'd be making money from it -- passive income that will last for years -- and I'd learn a lot of useful skills along the way.

Secrets is obviously very Internet savvy. Making a profitable Internet business would be a cakewalk for her with a service like SBI since that system would fill in the entrepreneurial gaps for her.

Heck, I'll bet she could create a profitable site around online socializing.

I think that would put her in a way better position long-term than getting a job.

Internet savvy teens are sitting on a goldmine of skills that they don't even recognize.

[escapeplan]

If I were 16 today I'd work for a travel company as a rep and tour round socialising with loads of other young people and having parties.

It would teach me to mix, give me confidence, travel the world (paid for) and make loads of great friends in the real world.

I'd learn about cultures first hand and use that experience to set up a business in later life when I had a bit of experience in the real world

[MidasGirl]

Yeah, she's too smart to work at McD's. And there couldn't be a better age than 16 to push the boundaries. You're still completely unjaded at that age. Gaining experience by starting with fast food restaurants is overrated. Plus she's a vegan, no way I'd get a job selling meat if I were a vegan. Total disconnect of values.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by gigij

Well as long as you are sure - that's the important thing.

But I'll tell you what I saw.

I saw her posting in her OP that she was OK with a minimum wage job - and I saw you replying that was not 'good enough'. That she needs to think bigger - and find something more inspiring.

Well I'm giving her my perspective. That it is good enough. That she has enough pressure and people in her real life telling her that what she is doing isn't 'good enough' - she doesn't need more of that. Even if it is with the best of intentions. I'm sure her parents have the best intentions for her too - and we know how that is working out.

I understand that you hear pressure in what I'm saying, and I think I understand that you are saying I *shouldn't* be applying that pressure, right? Or that I'm wrong to say what I'm saying? I hear you.

And I trust our OP to hear and handle -- or to just pass right by, if it doesn't work for her -- whatever I have to say.

I think a lot of people just grab whatever first job they can get, brainwashed to think they are not good enough to intend a job that is meaningful and fulfilling. Young people hear "In this economy, you're lucky to get whatever you can get!" and they believe it. It's certainly a valid choice! In our OP's case, I think if she chooses a job, her employer will be the lucky one. And if she chooses to create her own going concern, the world will be blessed by the value she generates. It's so already; she's just not accepting money for the value she generates yet.

Secrets, I apologize if I said anything I didn't mean.