Really in need a part time job but no-one will give me a chance - advice?

This is probably nothing usual but I am really in need of a part time job, or a full time job if it came to it, and have had no luck for nearly 2 years in finding one. This is probably more for venting than looking for advice because I honestly can't think of anything more I can do?

Every day, I wake up and usually even before I get breakfast, I check the usual job websites, apply to anything that comes up with a cover letter and CV, going through all their application forms (although I know more than half of the buggers will never even bother to get back to me).
Most days I take a walk through the high street and keep on a look out for notices for help wanted, dropping in on any I see.
Any places that I haven't seen with signs up in a while, I've emailed them asking if they need anything. But still, after 2 years, I've got nothing but a few interviews that don't lead anywhere (I remember one was at Sainsbury's and the other at McDonald's, and and a few in places I don't remember). I don't even think I cocked those up badly at all.

I don't know if it is that I don't have any experience (my town when I was at school was very small and had a lot of teenagers so jobs were scarce usually), that I am 20 and never had a job, or just that I have a name low down on the alphabet and others just get chosen before me - unlikely but I still wonder. It's not as if I don't want to work because I really do, I would love it so much to have any job that was given to me.

Thing is, all my friends have managed to get something, and I still find myself wasting days looking for jobs and trying to scrape by on what little money I have. So does anyone have any advice for getting a job or at least, making money? Because recently I have really needed it as I have been trying to keep up with my friends' socialising (you know, because they have jobs).

TL;DR Advice pls

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Reply 1

zaraiqbal18

First, you will need to have some sort of experience when applying for jobs. Try to apply at Primark as they will take up people who have no experience. Look for some summer temporary jobs in next or any other retail outlets since their only temporary at least you will gain some experience to put down on your cv. You will need to stand out. Even being able to get interviews is a big thing. Whenever you get an interview remember this is your chance to show to the interviewer that you are the right candidate. Also, when your in an interview remember to relate everything to your experience, you may not have any work experience but you could relate things from during school or just make up your experiences.

Reply 2

SpiciBoi

Thanks for the reply, and I'm definitely stuck in the need experience to get experience hell hole. Interesting that you would mention Primark because I remember applying there and never hearing back, so I dunno...
And good advice for the interviews, and I always do relate things that they ask back to the responsibilities that I had at school (House captain, lighting technician etc.). But like I said, every morning every day is a job hunt so no temporary summer jobs have slipped by me that I am aware of.

Reply 3

cherryred90s

Original post by SpiciBoi

Agency work is really easy to get. Weekly pay, No experience required and they often offer immediate starts. They are 0 hour contracts though, but at least you will be earning money and gaining experience

Reply 4

SpiciBoi

Original post by cherryred90s

Any recommendations on where to find agency work? Just the usual places like Indeed, TotalJobs etc.?

Reply 5

Whiskey&Freedom

Stop expecting people to give you a job and start a business. If you have any ability and work ethic, you'll do very well for yourself.

Reply 6

SpiciBoi

Original post by Whiskey&Freedom

Stop expecting people to give you a job and start a business. If you have any ability and work ethic, you'll do very well for yourself.

Oh yah, I'll just squeeze in a brand new business alongside my full-time studying without any money for starting up?

Reply 7

Whiskey&Freedom

Original post by SpiciBoi

Oh yah, I'll just squeeze in a brand new business alongside my full-time studying without any money for starting up?

With that negative attitude I can see why you can't get a job.

Reply 8

SpiciBoi

Original post by Whiskey&Freedom

With that negative attitude I can see why you can't get a job.

Soz Thatcher

Reply 9

markova21

It's the work EXPERIENCE you need. So, walk into a shop, maybe someone who knows you who sees you regularly. Explain your situation and ask them if it would be possible to work there, Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 5pm for a month without any pay? If they say yes, they will have an extra pair of helping hands and you will have a months work experience behind you.

Reply 10

SpiciBoi

Original post by markova21

This is good advice, I do usually include this when I email local businesses and such. But they usually reply apologising that they just don't have room. Which is totally understandable since me being there would take hours away from people who are working there, probably. Will keep doing it though.

Reply 11

Roz96

Same here 20 years old and never had a job ! so I am starting to do some volunteer job to get experience and then apply again for jobs. If you want to volunteer use this site 'Do-it' it is really helpful.

Good Luck

Reply 12

fxlloutboyy

Volunteering in charity shops gives good retail experience

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Reply 13

markova21

Yes, volunteering in charity shops. They always need people. Or a local soup kitchen, etc.

Reply 14

SpiciBoi

I guess charity shops is something I have never thought of and will look into it. If I do land a volunteering position, would be awesome, anyone got advice on how to make small amounts of money in the mean time? Because, like, that's what I need right now. I'm pretty good at saving money, but have been running it low over these years and need some kind of boost. I'm giving matched betting a go, which will probably end in tears more than anything else.

Reply 15

markova21

You could set up a Paypal account if you don't have one already. You could sell things on Ebay you don't need. Books, clothes, DVD's etc. I'm always selling things on there and it's a handy way to make a few quid. Some people make their full time living by it and make nice amounts, selling things from their own home.

Reply 16

cherryred90s

Original post by SpiciBoi

Any recommendations on where to find agency work? Just the usual places like Indeed, TotalJobs etc.?

Yeah. Reed, cvlibrary and indeed are all good aswell

Reply 17

SpiciBoi

Original post by markova21

It's a good suggestion but coming from my background, I really don't have anything to sell. I have some books, but most are ones that I'd like to keep a hold of or are not mine to sell (and my mum recently got rid of some I had kept at home). I would sell some clothes but I've genuinely had the same clothes for 3 years, some nearly 4 or 5 years old (I is a small manlet), and there aren't many to sell in the first place, certainly not enough to keep me afloat for a month. I know I probably sound a bit like 'oh give us that advice but not that advice' but I just wanted to add to what you were saying.

Also, it's 2017, who doesn't have Paypal??