Getting a part-time job is impossible

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Original post by ibbyyyg

I have applied to over 100 retail / Restaurant / tech jobs since November. I have had 5 interviews and I haven’t been hired for any of them. I have changed my CV 4 different times. I prepared religiously for every single interview.What am I doing wrong. Life is so unfair How am I meant to support myself

Sounds about right.

The rule of thumb is if you're applying through applications alone is 100 applications for every 5 interviews for one job offer. If you keep applying, you might be able to get your first job. Sounds tiring? It does for me, and I'm the one writing this.

The easier way in is to network your way in. If you have friends who work at a particular place, try to get their recommendation into the place that you want to work at. It usually makes the application a lot quicker, and they would give you better feedback on your CV or application even if you don't get in. I know a number of friends who managed to get their jobs through recommendations alone. These people usually are ahead of the queue before they look at applicants with an unknown face. The typical time for them to respond is usually 2 weeks. Is this unfair? Totally, but it's how a lot of places work (welcome to the real world).

Networking your way in is particularly relevant for retail and restaurant work, as they get a lot of applicants with next to no experience all the time. However, restaurant work should be easier to get than retail in my opinion since there is usually a shortage of staff for restaurant work all the time.

Alternative method: apply to a job agency who does the application process for you, but you are not likely a priority and the jobs are not likely going to be in demand from applicants i.e. you're not likely going to get very good jobs.

If you are getting interviews but no job offers, ask for feedback from the interviewers. Any feedback, however small is still better than none. Be grateful to them giving you this as some won't even spare a second telling you what you need to hear.

I don't know what you are currently doing at the moment, but if you're not studying, I would consider doing relevant professional certifications specific for the role that you're applying for in tech. This would usually make you stand out a lot more than the standard GCSEs and A Levels most applicants have e.g. ISC^2, CISSP, CCNA, CompTIA, the occasional Coursera course (should watch the reviews for the courses before doing these). If it's relevant for the role, I would also put together a working portfolio of the IT work that you have done to showcase what you can do during interviews.
As I have absolutely no clue of what you want to do in tech, I don't have anything particular to recommend.

For restaurant work, there are usually only 2 qualifications that matter (unless you're looking at Michelin star/high end restaurants): hygiene certificate for kitchen work or personal license holder for bar work. The hygiene certificate would be leaning on essential for most kitchen roles. The personal license holder certificate is borderline useful if you intend to become a bar manager, so it's borderline optional.
What I do recommend you do if you intend to work in catering is to watch a few videos on YouTube for how to do certain things like carrying multiple plates, using an industrial dishwasher, how to make a mixer drink, etc. Most roles in catering are pretty basic, so you should be able to pick up these skills fast. The only role where it's not is if you intend to become a cook (there are also sommelier roles in coffee, tea, wine, beer, etc. but they are usually advanced and for high end establishments).

There are no credible qualifications for retail work, so it's more about knowing what products the company sells and know about them in intimate detail.

Also, the CV should be tailored to the specific role. There's no point in having all of your qualifications and saying how brilliant you are in tech when you're applying for a role in a restaurant or shop.

Reply 3

Emma:-)

19

Original post by ibbyyyg

I have applied to over 100 retail / Restaurant / tech jobs since November. I have had 5 interviews and I haven’t been hired for any of them. I have changed my CV 4 different times. I prepared religiously for every single interview.What am I doing wrong. Life is so unfair How am I meant to support myself

It can be hard to get your first job, as you dont have any experience, but the places hiring want some kind of experience. But how are you meant to get any experience if they wont give you a job to get any.
Keep applying though, you will get one eventually.
Try places like mcdonalds (and other fast food places). They seem to take on a lot of students.
Also try smaller more independent cafes/restaurants etc. You my have more luck there than the chain ones.
Also look on indeed. Theres quite a lot of jobs on there.

Reply 4

OP

3

UPDATE: I got another interview for a back of house team member at a cafe. Wish me luck 🙏

Reply 5

22

Original post by ibbyyyg

UPDATE: I got another interview for a back of house team member at a cafe. Wish me luck 🙏

Good luck.

Reply 6

skirkdaniel

5

Hope you will get this one! Good luck!
I know that many companies looking people to work in their customer service, maybe that something you can do? Customer service roles are in high demand, especially in industries like property management. With Clerk Chat's technology https://clerk.chat/industries/property-management/, the job becomes even more promising. Their innovative solutions streamline communication, making it easier to address tenant needs efficiently.

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 7

OP

3

UPDATE: I’m almost certain I’ve been rejected as they haven’t replied to me. As soon as the interview started they asked how old I was and I replied 17. Although they should’ve known this as this was asked during the application, they straight up said that they don’t hire under 18s for the kitchen. Then the manager asked if I was interested in front of house which I replied yes. They said they were looking for front of house and would reply after Friday. No response and I feel quite upset as I spent so much time preparing only for the interview to be practically cut short due to reasons outside of my control. I feel very demoralised. I have a strong feeling that my applications aren’t the issue anymore, It’s me being coloured in a predominantly white area or my young age or me being a male in majority female workplaces; all things out of my control. Whats the point in trying anymore.

Reply 8

22

Original post by ibbyyyg

UPDATE: I’m almost certain I’ve been rejected as they haven’t replied to me. As soon as the interview started they asked how old I was and I replied 17. Although they should’ve known this as this was asked during the application, they straight up said that they don’t hire under 18s for the kitchen. Then the manager asked if I was interested in front of house which I replied yes. They said they were looking for front of house and would reply after Friday. No response and I feel quite upset as I spent so much time preparing only for the interview to be practically cut short due to reasons outside of my control. I feel very demoralised. I have a strong feeling that my applications aren’t the issue anymore, It’s me being coloured in a predominantly white area or my young age or me being a male in majority female workplaces; all things out of my control. Whats the point in trying anymore.

As soon as the interview started they asked how old I was and I replied 17. Although they should’ve known this as this was asked during the application, they straight up said that they don’t hire under 18s for the kitchen
That sucks. Not sure why there is an age criteria for kitchen work though.

Then the manager asked if I was interested in front of house which I replied yes. They said they were looking for front of house and would reply after Friday. No response and I feel quite upset as I spent so much time preparing only for the interview to be practically cut short due to reasons outside of my control.
Have you tried chasing up for a response?
Generalising like this isn't going to help anyone.

It’s me being coloured in a predominantly white area or my young age or me being a male in majority female workplaces; all things out of my control. Whats the point in trying anymore.
This is a stupid line of thinking. I have met plenty of coloured young female workers who are in front of house in predominantly white areas. This also applies for any role in retail, care homes, supermarkets, etc. If you are dominated by this line of thinking, then you are just victimising yourself, and no-one wants to hire someone with this sort of attitude.

Let's assume that your age is a setback, what's stopping you from waiting things out until you're 18?
Even if age is an issue, what's stopping you from applying to places and for jobs where your age doesn't matter?

Reply 9

OP

3

Original post by MindMax2000

As soon as the interview started they asked how old I was and I replied 17. Although they should’ve known this as this was asked during the application, they straight up said that they don’t hire under 18s for the kitchen
That sucks. Not sure why there is an age criteria for kitchen work though.
Then the manager asked if I was interested in front of house which I replied yes. They said they were looking for front of house and would reply after Friday. No response and I feel quite upset as I spent so much time preparing only for the interview to be practically cut short due to reasons outside of my control.
Have you tried chasing up for a response?
Generalising like this isn't going to help anyone.
It’s me being coloured in a predominantly white area or my young age or me being a male in majority female workplaces; all things out of my control. Whats the point in trying anymore.
This is a stupid line of thinking. I have met plenty of coloured young female workers who are in front of house in predominantly white areas. This also applies for any role in retail, care homes, supermarkets, etc. If you are dominated by this line of thinking, then you are just victimising yourself, and no-one wants to hire someone with this sort of attitude.
Let's assume that your age is a setback, what's stopping you from waiting things out until you're 18?
Even if age is an issue, what's stopping you from applying to places and for jobs where your age doesn't matter?

Yes I know it sounds stupid, but you can’t ignore that stuff like this could happen. I’ll try to chase a response tomorrow when they open.

Reply 10

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Original post by ibbyyyg

Yes I know it sounds stupid, but you can’t ignore that stuff like this could happen. I’ll try to chase a response tomorrow when they open.

I'm not denying that they don't, but so what if they do?
You're not going to just give up. It would be pretty lame if you do give up entirely based on something so small.

Reply 11

6

Original post by ibbyyyg

I have applied to over 100 retail / Restaurant / tech jobs since November. I have had 5 interviews and I haven’t been hired for any of them. I have changed my CV 4 different times. I prepared religiously for every single interview.What am I doing wrong. Life is so unfair How am I meant to support myself

Hi bro, how long are you looking for job?

Reply 12

BioChemGeo24

10

Original post by ibbyyyg

I have applied to over 100 retail / Restaurant / tech jobs since November. I have had 5 interviews and I haven’t been hired for any of them. I have changed my CV 4 different times. I prepared religiously for every single interview.What am I doing wrong. Life is so unfair How am I meant to support myself

Apply to maccies no way they’ll reject u

Reply 13

OP

3

Original post by MindaugasV

Hi bro, how long are you looking for job?

Since november so thats 7 months

Reply 14

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Original post by ibbyyyg

Since november so thats 7 months

7 months you dont get a job?? Wow..

Reply 15

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Original post by MindaugasV

7 months you dont get a job?? Wow..

What kind of job you looking? I have one option for someone, I don't now about you. What you are looking for?

Reply 16

OP

3

I am looking for a part time job specifically in a retail or fast food position. I also don’t mind trying any legitimate remote jobs. I’m also under 18 and live in the west midlands region

Reply 17

fizzywizzybizzy

13

it is extremely difficult to find a legit job for under 18s, i would recommend doing tutoring privately for gcses or babysitting.

Reply 18