Getting a part time job

[BTW]

I need to get a job this summer. I’m not 100% about how to go about doing certain things. For example, I remember years ago when I was looking for a job I used to go and say something like ‘are there any employment opportunities available here?’. Does this sound stupid? Is there anything better I could say?

I think my biggest problem is that I practically haven’t done anything for the past year expect study, procrastinate and stress out about things. When I was looking for a job a few years ago I was at least able to make myself look good on paper, but I’m guessing that I’m not going to be able to do that now because I haven’t done any extra-curricular activities this year.

Another thing is that I worked at McDonalds until about halfway through last year. I did stop working there because I wanted to focus on studying, but no one there liked me and I was awful at the job, always messing things up and stuff. What should I say if they ask me why I didn’t go back and work there after I finished school? And what should I say if they ask for a reference from there? I really, really, don’t want to go back there for any reason, even if they would give me a reference. But I don’t have any other references either, so that probably won’t look good.

The thing is that even apart from SA I am not good at stuff. I’m clumsy, I lack common sense and practical skills, I’m a slow learner and I’m not good at multitasking. So obviously just about every job has requirements which I don’t have, I feel like the only way I can get a job is to try and scam people into thinking that I’m not as incompetent as I am. Is this the attitude I should have? I mean, if I don’t do this, I don’t see how I’m going to be able to get a job.

[CrashMedicate]

I think having gaps of employment at the age of 18 isn't as big of a deal as you think. It's not like you're 30. Just tell them you've been focusing on your studies and whatnot. They'll understand. And I'll bet they won't even check references. I remember I went for a job working on cars and made up a list of fake garages I claimed that I worked at. I gave them my mom's cell phone number, my dad's cell phone number, random phone numbers, etc. They never even checked and they gave me the job. I'm not saying to go out and do this, but from what it sounds like, the type of job you want wont even care about your references even if they claim they do.

And don't be so hard on yourself. You can do these jobs. Unless you're going to be a spacecraft engineer or a neurosurgeon, I'm sure you can pick up on it over time. Have some confidence my friend. Good luck.

[polythene]

Like CrashMedicate said, few employers are going to hold it against you if you have gaps in employment at age 18. If you were approaching 30 it'd be another matter, but a surprising number of kids don't hold down jobs until college or after they graduate uni. Just tell them you chose to focus on school, as that's perfectly understandable.

I also had very few references when I started working, and I think ended up using old teachers and some willing friends as references. Don't put down anyone who won't have something good to say about you - you can tweak your application to make it look like you've had more of a professional relationship with certain people. As long as you perform okay in your interview, you should be all right.

And I'm assuming here that you're looking for some in retail, or the food industry. Just walking into a place and asking "are you taking applications?" is sufficient. Once you drop off the application, make sure to give them a call back a week or so later to check if they've reviewed it. No need to worry - there are plenty of places to apply out there. If one turns you down, there's always another, and the more you interview the less nervewracking it'll become.

My first few interviews with SA were paralyzing, so I get where you're coming from.

[Prakas]

Your only 18, you are very young still. If you didn't walk out and gave a 2 week notice you should be fine when applying for other jobs. If you did walk out, just be honest with new employers, some will be understanding, I had this issue in the past.

Don't undersell yourself either. I'm sure you have strengths, I'm betting your good with computers and electronics. Start applying to jobs where you have strengths first to give you that edge. Starting a new job, will probally be intimidating for the first few weeks atleast (over a month in my case). You will make stupid mistakes, but you will learn from them. Don't let your mistakes run you out of a job. I'm sure you have common sense as well, you probally do the same as me, "act before you think" and do something stupid. I'm notorious for that, most things can be fixed, just have to put that little extra work into it to fix it.

I use to be a manager where I work, and if you were to apply there, you're the type of person I'd want to hire. You sound hard working and want to move up in the world.

[Fuzzy Logic]

You don't have a problem. At my age, I've never really worked anywhere before. I have learning difficulties on top of severe SA and just keeping up with university has been a battle. Every application I submit seems to get rejected out of hand. I feel like saying "So, I probably shouldn't have let my fears get the better of me and gotten a job sooner, so you're all putting me on the scrapheap because of that? All I want to is one measely chance." *sigh*

[BTW]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I don’t really know any teachers or anyone well enough to get a reference from them. I did work at my Dads work earlier in the year for a bit so maybe I can get a reference from there. But if I can’t get any references, what should I say when they ask me why? Or, would it be better to just make them up.

It’s not just that I haven’t had a job for a while, I haven’t done anything this year. I stopped playing sport, stopped getting guitar lessons ect. I know there are probably a lot of people who just spend their free time socialising, should I pretend that’s what I’ve been doing if they ask? I mean I can’t really say ‘yeah I’ve just been sitting at home the whole year.’ I could say I was focusing on my studies the whole year, but they are probably going to know that it shouldn’t really be taking up 100% of my time.

I just want to know what to say with questions like this, because based on the ads I read they make it look like you need to be super sociable and capable to get any job.

[Prakas]

I've been in about 6 interviews or so total, and none have asked me about my personal life, and its none of their business. If they do, lie if you need too. They want to know if your capable of doing the job, will be dependable, trustworthy, and looking to move up in the world eventually. They may ask questions such as, what are your strengths and weaknesses. Goodluck man