Why can’t I get a job at 17?

I’m currently 17 years old and i cannot get a job. I’ve got no experience and everywhere that offers me an interview declines me because of my lack of experience but how can I get experience if anyone’s not giving me a chance, even though i’ve got a years experience of volunteering in a charity shop. I’ve applied to small businesses as well as big chains.

I’m currently 17 years old and i cannot get a job. I’ve got no experience and everywhere that offers me an interview declines me because of my lack of experience but how can I get experience if anyone’s not giving me a chance, even though i’ve got a years experience of volunteering in a charity shop. I’ve applied to small businesses as well as big chains.

Have you applied for anything in retailing like Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury's, boots etc etc as they are always looking for staff.

Don't worry about not having experience as training will be proven.
Due to you being under 18 at the moment you'll be restricted to certain things until you are 18.
If you are serving on checkouts and someone has alcohol all you do is call your team leader or supervisor to authorise the sell and perhaps ask for id.

Use any experience you have with your application process okay.

Person in reply 1 to you is wrong about you unable to work in retail because of you having to sell alcohol etc but you're fine to apply for those places.


Team leader and stand in supervisor as required with Tesco.

they'd be able to work in retail but if you have on your CV that you're currently in education, they might be able to figure out that you're under 18. they might have a slight bias towards people that are over 18 for this reason.

Unfortunately you are wrong about the bias towards young people.

Obviously they do know what age they are when they apply and it doesn't make any difference as they will still be able to get a job if they pass everything required.

I have sat in interviews with those who are between 16 - 18 as part of supervision duties and majority of them are keen to get a job in retail.
So how come there's a lot of young people working in retail more than the older ones.

I’m currently 17 years old and i cannot get a job. I’ve got no experience and everywhere that offers me an interview declines me because of my lack of experience but how can I get experience if anyone’s not giving me a chance, even though i’ve got a years experience of volunteering in a charity shop. I’ve applied to small businesses as well as big chains.

being under 18 can be a big factor, as many jobs are already off the table (e.g. working in a pub, working in retail as you'll need to serve alcohol, jobs that require you to work late). getting a job at the minute is very hard overall, due to the cost of living crisis, most companies are putting off hiring anyone for a while. entry level positions are also extremely competitive as most people will be trying to apply to them and therefore there'll be more candidates for them to chose from.

i would just keep trying, apply to anywhere and everywhere.