How did you get your first job and how can I?

Posted by Mysterious_Rock4764@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 25 comments

So i’m currently 17 this question is mainly aimed at younger people because its a-lot harder to get a job these days compared to like 15 years ago. I have a well written CV and my only qualifications are my GCSEs. I have no work experience which is why im looking for jobs, any job even cleaning, retail. It doesnt matter. Im really stressed out because I want to make money and make it out of the hood but I don’t think ill ever find a job.

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25 Comments

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maisie1517910@reddit

Nepotism. I only managed to get a real job at 18. My brother qualified as a lifeguard at 17 and to be honest the salary was fairly good, but I reckon that has some start up costs (unknown to me).

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MartyMc1888@reddit

Apprenticeship, sure it doesn't pay the best (straight away) but your young enough that if you start now you'll be laughing in five years time. Check with your local council, too. Not all apprenticeships are in the trades. I did mine through the local council, working in a doctor's surgery within the NHS. Got various Business and Admin qualifications along with a European Computing Driving License, as it was known at the time. Eventually led me down the path of doing more computing qualifications, eventually degree and job in the field.

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Mysterious_Rock4764@reddit (OP)

Im looking for an apprenticeship in the trades but its most likely going to start this september I was just thinking off looking for a summer job or something for extra income.

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ToriaLyons@reddit

Whereabouts are you? They're desperate for reliable staff around here.

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Mysterious_Rock4764@reddit (OP)

im in london. what are local fb groups?

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ToriaLyons@reddit

Facebook - there's loads of local groups and it's worth asking if there are any jobs going. Maybe ask at builders' yards - the trade ones, not retail - if they know who's hiring casual workers. If you have a good head on you, and can pick up a skill, you'll be in clover. (A double-glazing place went bust around here, but all the staff had new jobs within hours 'cos even knowing how to change the hinges of a window and align is useful.)

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AlrightTrig@reddit

Best bet is to look for high turnover places. They'll be shit to work at but if it's just for summer it doesn't matter. My first job was at Sports Direct. Shit as fuck but did the job for a few months. Pubs/bars have high turnover. Can often potwash or clean tables even if under 18.

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geefunken@reddit

Literally walk around your town and ask in every place you like the look of. When that doesn’t work, start asking in the places you don’t like the look of. Smile, be polite and simply ask if they have any vacancies. When/if they say no, then ask if you can leave then your CV. Law of averages says you’ll find a job, you just have to put in the hours. It’s the same as it ever was. There’s work if you want it.

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LettuceforPM@reddit

The walking around town thing doesn't work anymore sadly, pretty much every company has their own website they want you to apply on so they can vet you before they've even opened your CV

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moonsilktea@reddit

Surely this still works with independent places?

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geefunken@reddit

There’s nothing stopping you doing both. Smaller independent shops do still exist and still like to see some initiative.

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JackStrawWitchita@reddit

This is the way.

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Legitimate_War_397@reddit

I applied for an apprenticeship. I got my dad to read my CV, he edited it a bit because “I sounded a bit cocky”. When I got an email for an interview, he got some interview questions from google and did a fake interview with me and told me what answers need work etc and then he took me to shopping to find an interview outfit because “all you own is t-shirts and hoodies” and then when I got the job he took me shopping again to get “smart work clothes”.

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Mysterious_Rock4764@reddit (OP)

Ooo

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ajh489@reddit

With no work experience, I recommend considering a supermarket. Lots of people through the decades worked at a supermarket as their first job. I know it's not that important to the overall question but it's not really true to say it was easier to get a job 15 years ago. 15 years ago (2008) was the height of a recession and many firms weren't hiring.

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IIZORGII@reddit

Phone an agency, its where 90% of entry level jobs are and you need to register with a couple and they then do all the work. Definitely a bit shit working for agencies, but it's your first job.. it's always going to be a bit shit

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No-Affect9203@reddit

And if your in a job its easier to find another, why? No idea but it is true apparently.

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Low-Total9121@reddit

By applying for jobs.

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Ismays@reddit

If your CV doesn’t already mention good time-keeping, presentable, hard-working, polite manner and reliability as part of your skills profile, then add another sentence or two. These are the attributes that every employer wants. They could teach you everything else. If you can demonstrate them, you will instantly be way ahead of other applicants looking for their first job.

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jimmykicking@reddit

I just walked into the newspaper shop and asked for a job. I was 13. Nice little earner before going to school.

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kunstlich@reddit

Walked into the local hotel, asked for an application form, filled it out in the reception and had an interview the next day, got the job a day later. Didn't need a CV, didn't have a CV.

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desmondresmond@reddit

I signed up to an agency at 16 and got temp work doing removals, then working in factories/warehouses and doing kitchen porter stuff in some schools and nursing homes… good way to try lots of different jobs, you get paid the 18+ minimum wage from 16, no experience or interviews needed… all that’s expected is you turn up on time and leave on time, every time.. other than that you could be completely useless and they’ll still call you back. Also note 15 years ago was a global recession, was unemployed for a while after that.. was pretty hard to get a job

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moistlettersfall@reddit

Mine was through nepotism, I knew people who knew people.

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Candy_Lawn@reddit

my first job was in a corner shop doing shelf stacking and srock taking, occasionally on the till if busy weekend. did that aged 16-18. then Uni where got a job as a barman , 18-21. then left and first full tjme job was a barman did that for a year then got a better paid IT job which was more inline with my cv and degree