First Job

[My220x]

I am going to look for a job so I can save an buy my own laptop. I am 15 and so far have got rejected for places I went to and I was wondering what was your first job and how old was you?

[Domino]

hmm, I worked at a stables for a couple of years, then KP'd in a restaurant.

 

The thing I'd say is not to go for something above your age range.

 

most employers would think of someone so young as possibly unreliable and inexperienced.

 

Once you've had a job you've instantly got someone to provide a reference, so subsequent job hunting shouldn't be so tough.

 

look locally and ask around, don't just rely on the local rags

[My220x]

hmm, I worked at a stables for a couple of years, then KP'd in a restaurant.

 

The thing I'd say is not to go for something above your age range.

 

most employers would think of someone so young as possibly unreliable and inexperienced.

 

Once you've had a job you've instantly got someone to provide a reference, so subsequent job hunting shouldn't be so tough.

 

look locally and ask around, don't just rely on the local rags

 

Did look locally lol, all said no.

[K.C.Leblanc]

I was a sticker upper at 14, before that I extorted money from my parents for washing there cars.

 

A sticker upper's job is to stand at the end of a skittle allwy and pick the skittles up after after someone has knocked them over.

 

Round our way I think they earn about £12 a match for about 2 hours work, it is hard work however.

[zag]

My first job was in a supermarket, Just go in and ask for a application form.

 

I actually used the example of my experience with dealing with customers in an interview for my first ICT job and I got it.

[Guest kerrymoralee9280]

My first job was in REME, as a helicopter technician. Oh the good old days - still think about signing back up but my g/f won't let me

[Joanne]

dish washer at a restaurant...

 

used to be a right laugh when I did that.

 

You can eventually become a waiter too.

[tech_guy]

Black & White Darkroom Technician. Worked my way up to being a studio photographer. Sounds glamorous but the pay was crap and the hours long.

[flashsnaps]

15 is quite young, still at school, GCSEs?

 

My first job was at Homebase when I was 16, most fun ever - nearly everyone I worked with was a student, had some laughs!

Hand your CV into local places?

[comedydave]

Woolworths & McDonalds.

 

McDonalds always need new staff. And like any job, its what you make it. Most people that hate it, do so because they go in with the wrong attitude. If you go in with a positive attitude you will enjoy yourself.

[K.C.Leblanc]

I think you'll find that a lot of big places don't employ people under 16 for insurance reasons. Try smaller shops. Might even be worth asking if you can help your school it department over the summer hols. It will however mostly be boring stuff, like unboxing PCs. Edited March 25, 2008 by K.C.Leblanc

[elsiegee40]

First job at 16 - Woolworths record counter (Yes, I do mean records) on Saturdays

 

Topped up income with waitressing at local hotels when I was in the sixth form

[gaz350]

paper round? as you say you are 15.

 

after exams finished at 16 i got a job at RPC containers doing break shifts (covering for people while they took a break) was 4hrs saturday and 4hrs sunday, and then while i was playing footie 1 day my neighbour came up to me and asked me if i wanted a job working in a dolls house factory! during the summer i was working 6 days a week taking £100 from the RPC job, and £40 a day at the dolls house factory(which once college started i dropped to 2 days as i only had to be in 3 days a week).

 

Sad thing is my take home pay then was probably not far off what i take now in a week, but working conditions are far much better.

[Joanne]

alternatively, blag parents/guardians for a laptop. Tell them you will do stuff around the house for it.

[comedydave]

First job at 16 - Woolworths record counter (Yes, I do mean records) on Saturdays

 

 

I was woolworths "entertainment" counter. Cracking first job. Listen to music you want all day, have a laugh, chat to interesting people.

Shame the management changed and woolies lost its way!

[contink]

Paper round at 14.. Also got a summer job at 15 building a loft conversion for a family friend with wages of just 75p an hour (still made £200+ that summer!).

[elsiegee40]

with wages of just 75p an hour

 

I forgot about babysitting - 60p an hour! (Wish that was all I had to pay the local teenagers now!)

[My220x]

I may try my local stables, does McDonalds hire 15 year olds?

[localzuk]

Paper round at 13, kitchen assistant at 14, petrol station sales assistant at 16

[flashsnaps]

I may try my local stables, does McDonalds hire 15 year olds?

 

Unlikely, you may have to wait until your 16.

 

Paper round is probably the best bet - ask at local shops.

 

You seem to know about computers? why not advertise your services?

 

Advertise at you local shop

"Computer/Laptop repairs

Anything repaired

*Upgrades

*Repairs"

etc etc.

 

Fix computers and get paid good money

[Edu-IT]

I used to deliver papers on a Sunday and earned about £3 for doing so. I only did it for two weeks as to be honest it wasn't worth getting out of bed for! My next job was in a local shop dealing with stock and helping customers and I did that for just under two years.

[comedydave]

I may try my local stables, does McDonalds hire 15 year olds?

 

I think they employ 15yo's if you can obtain permission paperwork from school and home (a green slip?) But you can only work 8 hours a week i think

[My220x]

I may try and get this green slip then.

 

Unlikely, you may have to wait until your 16.

 

Paper round is probably the best bet - ask at local shops.

 

You seem to know about computers? why not advertise your services?

 

Advertise at you local shop

"Computer/Laptop repairs

Anything repaired

*Upgrades

*Repairs"

etc etc.

 

Fix computers and get paid good money

 

Was thinking about that but what would I need to get started?

[elsiegee40]

This gives a pretty good run down on what you can and can't be employed to do at your age:

 

http://www.netlawman.co.uk/info/employing-younger-staff.php

[flashsnaps]

I may try and get this green slip then.

 

Was thinking about that but what would I need to get started?

 

Get some advertisement into local newsagents windows/ etc.

 

Charge an hourly rate for your service &/Or a one off fee for a fix.