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No experience and I'm 19. So, your first job... Where was it?

See the title :P Basically I'm 19 and have been in education fulltime since... Forever [sixth form college]. Granted I could have worked on weekends, but until now I haven't felt the need to due to overgenerous parents.

Anyway, I want to get some kind of job. Is my age and lack of experience going to go against me? I worked in a chip shop for two months when i was 14, but that's about it. I'm powerseller on ebay... Should I mention this in my CV?

Are there any shops where they pretty much accept anybody who applies? And how do you find out about temporary work?

Reply 1

soilman

12

zeebiatch

See the title :P Basically I'm 19 and have been in education fulltime since... Forever [sixth form college]. Granted I could have worked on weekends, but until now I haven't felt the need to due to overgenerous parents.

Anyway, I want to get some kind of job. Is my age and lack of experience going to go against me? I worked in a chip shop for two months when i was 14, but that's about it. I'm powerseller on ebay... Should I mention this in my CV?

Are there any shops where they pretty much accept anybody who applies? And how do you find out about temporary work?

Fast food places will employ virtually anyone.

Reply 2

zoea85

2

Put down the chip shop, it's still experience and shows commitment. Make some up as well! My first job was when I was 18 and my second lasted for 3 days and I'm 20 so I don't have much experience! I don't bother looking in term time but I can't say I haven't tried though, every Xmas and summer I try to get one and I either get turned down for lack of experience or there are no vacancies.

You can look in the jobs section of your local paper or just go round the stores and ask and if they say they have vacancies give your CV, although most of them don't call back. I usually find the online ones a waste of time. You could always go to the jobcentre cos whenever I've asked sainsburys and other supermarkets for vancancies they always tell me that they do it through the job centre.

I think Ebay counts, just make it sound good. Say you're valued by your customers as you are reliable and it has taught you good customer service skills or something like that!

Reply 3

baby_emmy

15

My friend (was 18 at the time), got his first job this summer... at M&S! He just lied loooooooooooads in the interview!

-x-

Reply 4

tortured

OP

8

zoea85

Put down the chip shop, it's still experience and shows commitment. Make some up as well! My first job was when I was 18 and my second lasted for 3 days and I'm 20 so I don't have much experience! I don't bother looking in term time but I can't say I haven't tried though, every Xmas and summer I try to get one and I either get turned down for lack of experience or there are no vacancies.

You can look in the jobs section of your local paper or just go round the stores and ask and if they say they have vacancies give your CV, although most of them don't call back. I usually find the online ones a waste of time. You could always go to the jobcentre cos whenever I've asked sainsburys and other supermarkets for vancancies they always tell me that they do it through the job centre.

I think Ebay counts, just make it sound good. Say you're valued by your customers as you are reliable and it has taught you good customer service skills or something like that!

^^Thanks for the info! You see, I've never tried... I'm beginning to think I should, just so that in the future I have something on my CV! I don't want people to think I'm a lazy layabout (though that's probably the truth, haha).

My friend (was 18 at the time), got his first job this summer... at M&S! He just lied loooooooooooads in the interview!

^^ Wow, impressive. What did he lie about... Past experience? I'm a convincing liar, maybe it'll do me some good :P

Reply 5

baby_emmy

15

Said he did loads of Volunteer work, was RAG rep at Uni, he played loads of sports and was captain of all the teams... things like that!

-x-

Reply 6

tbtommyb

11

Try M&S. They'll be starting to look for temp staff in a month or two, over Christmas. They might keep you on after that, because they get rid of so many staff that they're short staffed. I got a job there having only worked in one shop, though it was for a year and a bit. I don't think they're too concerned with experience, especially at Christmas jobs.

Reply 7

tortured

OP

8

burntgorilla

Try M&S. They'll be starting to look for temp staff in a month or two, over Christmas. They might keep you on after that, because they get rid of so many staff that they're short staffed. I got a job there having only worked in one shop, though it was for a year and a bit. I don't think they're too concerned with experience, especially at Christmas jobs.

^^Yeh, I'm probably better off waiting for a month or so... Our local Asda is crying out for staff at the moment, but it seems pointless getting a job when I'm going on holiday in 10 days time! So is HMV actually. In fact, a whole new shopping-area opened here, so there's bound to be someone desperate enough to take me on. Hahah.

Reply 8

evolvedFrom

Don't work at a supermarket!!!! They're evil and you will forever be demoralised!

Reply 9

tbm

13

I wouldnt recommend making jobs up on your CV or application forms- some employers will check your work history and you're going to look a bit silly if they contact a company and find out you've never worked there. Plus chances are you wont get the job!

Call centres are always looking for employees if you are happy doing that sort of thing, plus I think its quite well paid.

Reply 10

pumpkin7

13

you should never lie. it always comes back to haunt you.
i told a previous employer that i had been temping since january, when in fact, i had been at a job, and got. after a few weeks, they asked if i had a p45, and i said no. they knew i should have one, and i didn't.. so yeah. i was techincally fired over that, though they said it was because they didn't need me.

so yeah, try not to lie. it does come back and bite you in the ass.
as for getting a job, you just need to be yourself. if they like you, and you are somewhat trained to do the job you are applying for, then they will hire you, regardless of how much work experience you have.

Reply 11

AlmostInsane

adverse_reaction

Call centres are always looking for employees if you are happy doing that sort of thing, plus I think its quite well paid.

Yup that's what I'm currently doing, only it's thankfully not cold calling. It's to do with car insurance & credit-hire, which is incredibly boring. But the pay is pretty good considering I'm 16 & it's pretty easy to do once you get the hang of it.

Reply 12

Lofty

13

Satansburys...hated it!

Reply 13

Wilko_777

10

I'm nearly 18, and I have had a few jobs, although none of them have lasted more than about 3 months. I only mention one of my jobs on my CV, because it was the only real 'proper' one.

I personally find it hard to find employment, mainly because i'm under 18 without much experience, and I can't work on weekdays in term-time. It is a real annoyance.

If you're 19, I think you're in a better position, mainly because you're in a better age bracket. Some employers won't mind that you haven't had much experience, as training can always be given.

Reply 14

lazza

15

all my friends are having the same problem... and taking it out on me (i've worked in my parent's office at 15 filing occasionally and doing maillings, virgin 16-18, and now i've got an amazing job, which they all complain that i'm really lucky to have but i've worked my way up to!)

so do what i tell them. apply for a job you won't necessarily want like the rest of us did when we were younger and had to get jobs. eventually you might get to work in a good shop

have you tried pubs, supermarkets, fast food places, clubs, whatever? unsociable hours maybe but you won't get a job without the experience

Reply 15

emu24

i work at saisnburys and its great it is very friendly and i didnt have a lot of experience either put down a education refrence for one and use that chip shop and u should get a job. good luck job hunting everyone

Reply 16

gooseymcgoose

11

do not put anything about ebay on your CV whatever you do. that'd be a massive turn off.

Reply 17

Lofty

13

emu24

i work at saisnburys and its great it is very friendly and i didnt have a lot of experience either put down a education refrence for one and use that chip shop and u should get a job. good luck job hunting everyone

Till they accuse you of something you didn't do, and even when you prove it, they wont admit they were wrong and apologise :rolleyes:

Can't even begin to say how much i hate that place and list even more reasons.

Reply 18

emu24

Lofty

Till they accuse you of something you didn't do, and even when you prove it, they wont admit they were wrong and apologise :rolleyes:

Can't even begin to say how much i hate that place and list even more reasons.

The only thing i hate bout sainsburys is that you can get disaplined for braking ur leg my brother has just recieved a written warning for that.

Reply 19

AnGeLeYeS

1

I got my first job at Next abt 2 yrs ago...and still going strong! I was 18 then and applied end of Aug time when all the uni staff left to go back. Worked for me and I had no experience or nothing at the time.
Whatever experience you have like the chip shop, I'd put it down, its better than nothing! Temps are hired towards the end of Sept/Oct time I would think. Places like TK Maxx,M&S,WHSmith,Monsoon/Accessorize,HMV usually advertise for temps in their windows.L

No experience and I'm 19. So, your first job... Where was it?

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