4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Cinnamon]

My 16 year old girl is desperate for some work to tide her over until college starts in September, & to take her through the next couple of years while she is at collecge,but its been a nightmare so far.

 

She has applied to several places,most of which won't even see her for an interview.Some haven't even bothered to get back to her,leaving her feeling very despondant.

 

She is a great girl - personable,responsible,attractive & mature but we feel that she isn't even being given a chance because of her age.

 

She has a decent CV, showing that she has taken several GCEs early, & a glowing report from The Body Shop where she did work experience.

 

Any other tips???

[Space Chick]

What about contacting the council to see if they are recruiting helpers for school holiday playschemes? I did that for the holidays after my GCSE's (albeit 19 years ago!) and it was great fun, and earned me some cash too.

[Alis girls]

I know she probably wants the money but a voluntary job say on Saturdays may also keep her spirits up and sometimes lead to paid work. i had 3 jobs at that age, paid in a factory M-F, paid in a Dairy lab and voluntary in old peoples home. Loved all of them and gave some capital for when started my training. Advise her to keep trying her persistance will pay off. good luck

[Snowy]

I sympathise Cinnamon. My 17 year old is having the same trouble No one wants to know He is doing some babysitting, but that is very hit and miss (parents get to know him as he does voluntary work at the after school youth groups at the church!)

He has also offered his services as a 'lawn mower' and has had a couple of offers to do peoples lawns regularly - not much, but it is a start, and something to put on future CVs.

[Patricia W]

One of mine got work at McDonalds which I can't praise too highly. He actually kept that on till after University too. They offered him proper training and qualifications, and the skills he learnt in managing people etc have always stood him in good stead. They have also now set up their own " University" which offers their long term employees the opportunity to accredit their work at University level.

 

However, they were VERY long hours and she may not want that. Also, when he was 16 we had to pick him up from the night shift. Might be worth enquiring?

 

The others made do with paper rounds, Tesco's etc.

 

Tricia

[*mummy_hen*]

I would tell her to keep sending out cv's but it may be worth doing face to face drop ins at local businesses. I did this at our local ice cream factory when i was 15 and i am sure they took me on because i had gone to see them. I loved working in the shop, could do the hours that suited me and was cash in hand work and all good experience.

 

Is there a specific sort of work she wants to do?

Leisure centres are also a good shout because they always need 'shift staff' and they have admin roles, work in the cafes, etc.

 

Tell her not to give up- somebody will be thrilled to take her on

[jess]

The best way in is to do some voluntary work, maybe at a local hospital or something like that I think.

[laurmurf]

hellymisscloud just got a job delivering the free paper - it's not much money, only about £10 a week, but it will only take her about 2 hours to prep and deliver so a £5 an hour job... not bad. Not glamourous i admit, but maybe your DD could ask about your free sheet?

 

good luck!

[Cinnamon]

Newspaper delivery is out,because it starts VERY early & she is not such a morning person.

Also there is no street lighting or pavement here, so I am not comofrtble with it.

 

She just wants a shop job really.

She has applied to several nw places opening in Henley, & is waiting to hear from Joules clothing still.

Sainsburys is opening too, but you can only apply online & they have no jobs listed for Henley.Annoyingly they NEVER HAVE HAD EITHER , but when I rang to enquire all I got was the sock ' if its not listed we are not looking' answer.Goodness knows how they intend to staff the place - it opens in 3 weeks!

 

Keep plugging away then

[Gem_Seb]

I had various jobs at that age! I worked in a confrence centre/football club waitressing for weddings and other functions, It was a great job! hard work and long hours but also paid well. It also leads onto bar work etc when you are 18!

 

I think i stayed there until I was 23 and still go back now for the odd bar shift when im skint and need help with the bills! Its nicer than working in a restaurant as you dont have to bother with the taking of orders etc! a lot more simpliar and also nice when you are a girl working on the weddings!!

 

I also worked in a leisure centre cafe doing various different shifts may just be an idea to pop into local confrence centres football clubs and leisure centres, they remeber a face better than a CV which at the moment they are probably receiving hundreds of!

[ChrisP]

Me too Cinnamon

Hope she can find a job soon!

[katieadams]

I had similar problems when I left school (that was erm, a year or two ago!) and I had to work in a dry cleaners to get my foot on the ladder - once I'd had 'a' job, it was much easier to find another and I got shop work shortly after that. Maybe she needs to widen the net and apply for everything going, then once she's got one job a second will be easier to come by. Stinks that you have to do that though

[ClaireG]

It might be too late for this year but has she thought of The Regatta? Event companies are often looking out for staff for waitressing etc. I worked at the Royal Show when i was younger and my sister also did some stuff at Silverstone. It was great fun and maybe something she would do well looking for something more permenant.

[craftyhunnypie]

I worked at a chemist on the cosmetics / perfume counter - great perks! I occassionally had to cover on the photographic counter. The pay wasn't very good though. I then got taken on at Boots -fabulous! Uniform, good pay & staff discount. Also got lots of extra hours in Summer hols & at Christmas time. I worked on the music counter - so got to know what new CD's were coming out. They really look after their staff & we got a Summer & Xmas bonus.

 

My sister worked at Halfords - part of the Boots group at the time. Also very good to work for.

 

Many coffee shops will take on young people!

 

Best of luck to your daughter

 

Emma.x

[chelsea]

I'm not sure if this is possible but could she register with the local Job Centre to say she is looking? ....

 

Or maybe a local employment agency who will take down all her details/requirements and try to match her to a job when an opportunity comes along.

[HENthusiastic]

How about a temping agency? They might be able to offer her all sorts of interesting bit and bobs?

[Tina C]

Our young relatives have done quite well at B&Q - evenings and weekends. Not particularly nice uniforms and not on the high street but they seem to pick up quite a few extra hours when they need to. The nearly 17 year old is saving for his big trip to South America by working there.

 

My first Saturday job was at Woolworths.....

[Cinnamon]

Thanks all, great ideas

 

We are restricted because of where we live too.

It really needs to be in Henley,or it will mean a 6 mile round trip to get her into reading.the train station is also 2 miles away & you can't walk there from here, & the buses are useless in our village

 

I will look into the Regatta & The Henley Festival though - hadn't thought of that!

[Gem_Seb]

I did when i was her age but this was 10 years ago now so im not sure if u still can! I think technically if she has a National Insurance number she is eligable to work so i dot see why she cant register with a job centre! Good luck!

[chickenanne]

I used to work in a tea-room, starting from 13. Not convinced is legal to work that young though...! I remember when working in cafe at uni, occasionally we'd get letters complete with CV's etc: which was insane really as it was a little family-run cafe - the owners wanted people who would be reliable, honest, hard workers, had some common sense, and would get on with other staff and customers. But frankly couldn't care less what school exams you'd passed and whatever else. Those sending in CV's on spec, honestly, just looked like they were a bit clueless.

Get her to go into likely places at times when they are likely to be quiet, and ask to speak to the manager/ess, or owner. I think is much more effective than writing.

[kitbag]

I would try small local shops. I have dropped in my CV to a small cheese shop, and they seemed quite interested. I have applied to WHSmith, and they are hiring in September.

[Old Speckled Hen]

I worked in a cereal factory and in a meat packing company when I was that age.

The money was fantastic but I think so many things have changed now what with health and safety and government regulations imposed on employers re employee rights.

With so many people out of work youngsters get pushed to the back of the queue.

I hope she gets something soon. It's awful being completely broke at that age

[Lewis]

I'm in a similar position, just a year older. It's worth asking friends, because last year I went and worked with a neighbour in human resources at her place of work for a month, it was really interesting and good to talk about at uni - keeping confidentiality etc.

 

I really don't like the idea of working in a shop, but quite a few of my friends work in Waitrose - the pay is godd + they look after their staff with discounted gym membership and things like that.

 

Youth groups/activities often look for people and I go and help out backstage for 2 weeks every year and have got to know the company and kids really well plus its fun!

 

Have a look on gumtree and in the papers - hope she finds something

[bronze]

How about a temping agency? They might be able to offer her all sorts of interesting bit and bobs?

 

Was goigg to suggest this. I got taken on by several companies I temped for incluing in retail

[ubereglu]

I know the feeling Cinnamon and I'm in the same situation. I to be honest feel really disheartened by it all, as I really need the money and to have something to do during the summer, as otherwise I'm going to be on my own a lot of the time as my siblings are older than me and don't live with us anymore.

 

I've seen a few jobs advertised, there was one at a local sport shop-which I won't apply for though because I feel intimidated everytime I go in there and one in Primark-definitely not working there as it's an absolute mess and like a jumble sale and really hot in there too.

 

The only other places were up on a retail park, but it's a bit too far to go to really.

 

So, at the minute I've signed up to lots of websites with jobs listed to see if any pop up in our area.

 

I just hate it at the minute and really hate all this uncertainty and it's led to quite a few tears, as it means I don't have any money to go and do the things that I'd like to do during the summer.