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How do i get my first job?

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triss
Posts: 1293 - Karma: 2,916
Im 16 and this summer i gotta get a job. I applied for the town rec and parks job that everyone does but it gets filled quick and i applied a little late and most of the senior and juniors get dibs.

If that doesnt work out where would be a good place to start...I gotta make like 1.5 k this summer cuz i wanna go to MHSSC

what did ns do for first semi legit job?
Mar 31 2013 6:50PM
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JWeinstock
Posts: 3439 - Karma: 1,352
any store or place near you... just walk in and ask to talk to manager or something
Mar 31 2013 6:51PM
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,661
apply apply apply EVERYWHERE.


I got a job that cleans up seaweed on my local lake. Hard work but i get an awesome tan and i'll rake in like 3500 hundred over the summer.


Boo ya.

I would spend your money on a car instead of going skiing during the summer. But that's just me.
Mar 31 2013 6:51PM
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triss
Posts: 1293 - Karma: 2,916
my sister bought a car and she cant use it for the 4 years shes at college...so im really lucky but just gotta pay my own gas
Mar 31 2013 6:55PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51666 - Karma: 162,559
If you can't get a legit job do stuff for neighbors, family friends. Work hard and get good references. References and experience is everything. If you suck and don't do your job time after time it catches up with you.


Dishwashing is a pretty easy job to get generally. Most places you get free food which free food and some loot is always good. It's not a glamorous job but it's not that bad to do for a year or two. If you want to cook ever it's not a bad way to move up there. There are other jobs that are similar and on that level. No experience needed, no age/skill requirements, not awesome pay but you're 16 so good enough.

If you have swimming skills you can take your lifeguarding and try and get a job doing that.

In the winter get a job at your local hill doing instructing. Not a bad job, free pass and if you want to do anything at the mountain there's a good way to get in the door there.

Or just say yolo and start a clothing company.
Mar 31 2013 6:56PM
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,661
ahh word i was under the impression you didn't have a car yet. Then by all means go out to hood!
Mar 31 2013 6:57PM
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lands11
Posts: 1818 - Karma: 1,677
Check your local craigslist page, there are a ton of jobs on there.
Mar 31 2013 6:58PM
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KEVTRON
Posts: 3545 - Karma: 1,222
Goto all the local restaurants, GOLF COURSES!!!!!, Hotels, hell you could even be a ref for soccer or something at the local rec center
Mar 31 2013 6:58PM
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triss
Posts: 1293 - Karma: 2,916
when i was in 8th grade i was a soccer ref...forgot about that i made 20 bucks a game they were like 1.5 hours long


i might try to get a job at my local ski shop thats liek 2 minutes away from my house

Mar 31 2013 7:01PM
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KEVTRON
Posts: 3545 - Karma: 1,222
In the summer? Thats when they are going to be cutting everyone so dont get your hopes up.
Mar 31 2013 7:03PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51666 - Karma: 162,559
For sure. My buddy couldn't afford to go to this festival, found a job selling lemonade at it. Was about 100 yards from the main stage getting paid like 11 an hour to sell lemonade and watch music.

----------------------
Just thought of another. Painting is a pretty good gig. You can find a lot of jobs on craiglist or work in with friends who are doing it. If you find somebody that has all the stuff and has been doing if for a while, you can consistently get houses and make pretty solid money.


Also landscaping. I've never done the landscaping thing but I have friends that do it. Hard work but they seem to like it.

Oh yeah and mowing some lawns is an option.


As long as you don't feel like you're above every job you should be in alright shape. You don't have experience but you might have to settle for a job you don't like. It's not like it has to be a permanent career, but if you really want to camp dealing with it and making some bread over the summer might be the way to go.


Good luck.


PS: Most areas have places you can go that will help you find a job if you're struggling. At your age it shouldn't be too hard to find an entry level job but if you can't there's that as an option to help you out.
Mar 31 2013 7:03PM
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triss
Posts: 1293 - Karma: 2,916
ill cal up ski shop tommorow after school and see if i can get somethign working couple hours on weekends
Mar 31 2013 7:13PM
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LiquorLanch
Posts: 1909 - Karma: 1,046
They probably won't be hiring until october...js its dead right now
Mar 31 2013 7:20PM
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fujarome
Posts: 8630 - Karma: 1,561
apply literally everywhere. 16 isn't the age at which you're looking for a job that is relevant to your overall interests and intentions. Now you don't want to be miserable every day at work, but you're not looking for your dream job.

Biggest thing of all though, should you get a phone call or interview...you might not have experience, but you want to learn. I wouldn't even say you're willing to learn. You specifically want to know how to do it.
Mar 31 2013 7:29PM
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Forcillo
Posts: 3801 - Karma: 3,580
I work at a restaurant take out window that does ice cream and take out orders, super good job because the tourists just throw tips and I made about 1.7k last year. Free food/ice cream too.

If you're in a tourist-y town, go for an ice cream scooping job. I'm serious. It's a fucking tip magnet. Really easy too.
Mar 31 2013 7:30PM
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,661
go to your local grocery stores and fast food joints/diners. They'll be more likely to hire you than a ski shop.
Mar 31 2013 7:31PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51666 - Karma: 162,559
Def. Most people aren't going to stumble into their dream career path between 14-18. If it happens awesome, if not you gotta make some cheddar somehow.
Mar 31 2013 7:34PM
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Wheaty214
Posts: 1687 - Karma: 841
Ask your parents if they know anyone that owns a business!
My step mom is great friends with a family that owns a pool business, I've been working for them since last summer and it's the best job (and only job) I've ever had, I started out at 9.50 an hour and right now I'm making a little under $14. Plus we have summer parties where we all get drunk as hell. I also got a $150 Christmas bonus. I absolutely love my job.
Mar 31 2013 7:38PM
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
wall-builder for a landscaping company. at the end of the summer i was some serious jailbait. tan, buff arms/chest, the last of my boyhood leaving my chiseled yet boy-like body....brb fap fap fap

no really talk to your parents friends and apply everywhere
Mar 31 2013 7:41PM
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*SID*
Posts: 3133 - Karma: 975
I'm in the exact same situation as you. How much money does everyone make over the summer. I'm planning to work 4-5 days a week.
Mar 31 2013 7:43PM
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.frenchy
Posts: 18221 - Karma: 12,323
This summer I gotta find a sick landscaping or tobacco job that pays really good... Gotta get me some fun stuffs for winter
Mar 31 2013 7:45PM
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Wheaty214
Posts: 1687 - Karma: 841
I made $3500 but I worked every day, how many hours a day are you planning on working a day?
Mar 31 2013 7:47PM
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*SID*
Posts: 3133 - Karma: 975
7-8 hours
Mar 31 2013 7:54PM
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Backyard.Skier
Posts: 5397 - Karma: 1,497
CANCER
Mar 31 2013 7:58PM
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esotericjive
Posts: 1889 - Karma: 1,445
I found a gig just by asking all of my friends who are graduating, often they have jobs which will be open when they leave for school.
I make 25-45 an hour, usually 6-7 hours a day, 3-5 days a week. Its pretty nice, if boring.
Mar 31 2013 8:07PM
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level_juan
Posts: 137 - Karma: 167
center ref for soccer. you get 35 bucks a game for 1 hour long games and theres always a ton of summer turnys. even if you get a real job this is good to have cause you can sign up for games whenevrr if you need extra money
Mar 31 2013 8:11PM
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*SID*
Posts: 3133 - Karma: 975
Holy shit? $25-$45 an hour? Where do you work?
Mar 31 2013 8:11PM
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7springsprod
Posts: 2661 - Karma: 3,181
95% of Employers wont work any minor over 40 hours a week for liability and shit. If the state sees that they are working minors(even if the the kids want to), the employer can get in a bunch of trouble unless they notify the state.
Mar 31 2013 8:14PM
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7springsprod
Posts: 2661 - Karma: 3,181
(Most dont want to go through the trouble of contactkng state labor boards)
Mar 31 2013 8:15PM
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esotericjive
Posts: 1889 - Karma: 1,445
At a charitable organization, we clean up old computers (donations and old govt machines) and they go to schools and whatnot. A few are sold to cover labor. Its extraordinarily boring, but I can't complain about the salary.
Mar 31 2013 8:16PM
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Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,014
grocery store is a prime place for a job at your age
Mar 31 2013 8:17PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51666 - Karma: 162,559
But there are always under the table jobs. I was killin it in the summer, worked like 13 days straight at one point. Long days but cash money. It wasn't a sweat shop so I didn't have to work those hours but fuck it, had some pretty solid money saved for that age.

#sweatshoplife

Mar 31 2013 8:19PM
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RimJobber
Posts: 3313 - Karma: 10,058
Find a place that's like teenager friendly. I worked at a waterpark for my first because they hire a ton of teenagers every summer. I'm going back for my fourth year this summer.
Try grocery stores, fast food, summer jobs. I know a kid who shoveled shit at a horse pen for a summer
Mar 31 2013 8:20PM
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paige.
Posts: 1932 - Karma: 924
Yeah going through a contact for your first job can be great because you obviously don't have any work experience yet. Having someone vouch for you as a good worker can go a long way to make up for this.
I ended up getting my first job as a at a children's bookstore because I'd helped out at one of the employee's bookclub for awhile. Got phoned one day to start the following Friday, no job interview or anything
Mar 31 2013 8:25PM
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jcc03skis
Posts: 1002 - Karma: 1,020
I work at an Apple Orchard in the summer and fall, and it's really nice. Tons of fresh air, and very laid back people.

Definitely ask around your family.
Mar 31 2013 8:31PM
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*SID*
Posts: 3133 - Karma: 975
Thanks for letting me know although there are a lot of under the table jobs around here in a small town in Vermont
Mar 31 2013 8:32PM
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Wheaty214
Posts: 1687 - Karma: 841
My employers must be that 5% because for two weeks straight I worked 45+ hours haha, god that was the sweetest paycheck I've ever gotten.
Mar 31 2013 8:39PM
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Dwight_Schrute
Posts: 579 - Karma: 18
Right, my first (and only) 4 digit paycheck was a fuckin godsend.

Anyways landscaping is good as well as lifeguarding or belaying; they will always need certified people if youre willing to put the time in.
Mar 31 2013 8:49PM
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johnnyBuz
Posts: 1438 - Karma: 1,270
Do some kind of physical labor like landscaping. You will make a ton more money and get in really good shape. You'll be in great shape by MHSSC time comes around with money to spare in your back pocket.
Mar 31 2013 9:26PM
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introvert
Posts: 4718 - Karma: 1,482
work in a restaurant
Mar 31 2013 9:31PM
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,661
psshhh da bitchez luv the tan mayne.


Shit's worth it
Mar 31 2013 9:37PM
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Edward.
Posts: 9366 - Karma: 445
pizza delivery is good if you dont mind your car smelling like pizza all the time
Mar 31 2013 9:37PM
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triss
Posts: 1293 - Karma: 2,916
as in landscaping how should i approach that getting a job...am i gonna have to sit in the truck with 4 smelly mexi s on the way there or this is like white man style work


did a quick google search found some nice jobs:

http://www.snagajob.com/jobs?t=part+time&s=connecticut&l=westport
Mar 31 2013 9:41PM
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skiminnesota
Posts: 9093 - Karma: 429
if youre applying to somewhere other than a chain fast food type place write a nice letter explaining why you want to work there.

i got my first job at 16 attaching to my application a letter explaining why i wanted to work maintenance at this county park, and how my limited skills fit what they needed. I was a hard worker, quick learner, stuff like that. Used as many real concrete examples as i had, like working on a farm all that stuff. I went the extra mile over just filling out my name, where i went to school, stuff like that.

also dont be picky about what times you can and cannot work. unless its super important like school or some other major commitment seeing a ton of "i cant work here" is going to be an instant disqualification. you will be the bitch. just embrace it after proving yourself you can improve your hours.

worked out well for me, i worked there 6 summers all through highschool and some college summers. It opened the door to ski instructing during the winter as the park district also owns 2 small ski areas.

then when it came time to apply for a real internship i had a great job to reference and even though working park maintenance has nothing to do with investment banking a track record of excelling at whatever i was tasked with doing, a glowing recommendation from my boss, a killer work ethic doing manual labor etc landed me a job as an analyst for one of (the) wallstreet firm.
Mar 31 2013 9:44PM
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Lukegnar
Posts: 189 - Karma: 1,239
Dude im in the same position, 16 and need a first summer job and i dont know where to start. Outside would be nice like mowing lawns or on a farm or retail maybe but id look for jobs on craigslist. thats the best bet.

quality post.
Mar 31 2013 9:56PM
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FLBP
Posts: 1794 - Karma: 310
Grocery stores and restaurants are always hiring, my favorite summer job was driving the range picker at a local golf course. If any landscaping companies will hire you at 16 that's always a good job, working outside is the tits and you'll put a little muscle on digging holes all day. If all else fails throw up a bunch of fliers and mow lawns all summer.
Mar 31 2013 11:50PM
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*ninja*
Posts: 2108 - Karma: 1,143
Today I just got a job working for a month and a half maken1k its on a farm imI'm going to punch the cards for the mexicans
Apr 1 2013 12:14AM
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james6345789
Posts: 4763 - Karma: 467
WHAT YOU MAKE $350,000 CLEANING A LAKE?
Apr 1 2013 1:20AM
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BeefiestExpert
Posts: 2804 - Karma: 3,277
BE A GOLF CADDY!

Caddying is such a good job (depending on the course)

You will get paid 20-35 dollars a round. Also will get free or discounted golf/clubs. Also you get sooo many tips and you will get that old man who has alot of stories and will tip you really good. My friend had an old man like that and literally at the eighteenth hole he was like "yeah life was good for me, golf was good for me, your a great kid and have a bright future". Here have these ( his whole set of clubs) and 50 bucks.


Apr 1 2013 2:11AM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,123
i worked at a roof rack shop and went back for like 5 summers
Apr 1 2013 7:01AM
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