So I Need a First Job...

[SilkySkyKitten]

Well ladies and gents, College is coming up soon and I need a computer (or computers, since one of my plans is building a desktop and then buying a netbook for portable needs). Problem is, I don't have a cashflow of any form, thus I need a job.

Now to explain, I have never had a job before. I also don't have a car, but I live in an area (Woodbury, Minnesota, United States, specifically) with a crapton of stores/restaraunts/etc. within walking distance so transportation isn't needed ATM (I have my legs, and that's all I need). My major problem is that I've been searching for a job since June of last year and so far only a local grocery store has given me an interview, and they called me a week later saying they were "overstaffed". I also attempted to apply at a retro game store within the area and called them once a week to check up on the opening they had at the time, but I never even got an interview there (I've been told that calling once a week was something I should do, as well as something I shouldn't do for whatever reason) I'm also finding it problematic finding places within walking distance that are actually hiring, although I might just need to simply search harder.

Anywho, I'm not sure if all that info was helpful enough, but to put it in laymen's terms: I need advice. Particularly on not only how to find a job, but also to get an interview and actually get hired. I wouldn't say I'm desperate at the moment but I'm getting close, so I'm trying to get as much advice at the moment as I can.

Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated.

EDIT: I should also add that I have long hair, something a bit unusual for a guy I suppose. Is it enough to simply put it into a pony tail (which I often do anyways), or do I really need to cut it off as some people I know have suggested?

 

[Anarchemitis]

For any resumes your get out, make sure you follow them up. If you drop off a resume at Store X at 10am on a Friday, stop by exactly a week from then on Friday at 10am. The guy who looks like he wants the job, usually gets the job. Showing up indicates more motivation than a phonecall.

Additionally, during an interview if you're asked "Do you have any questions?", the correct answer is anything but "No." Show interest, ask a question about the work or some aspect of the employer that you're curious about, or perhaps their business methods.

 

[dmase]

Get out of what you consider is your comfort zone. If you have the back for it you could probably get a job landscaping. Its hard work and you'll get paid minimum wage until your prove you can handle yourself. Landscapers are always looking for cheap labor.

Look up numbers to local warehouses and I would really hate working at Micky D's but hey if you need the money then go for that. I imagine your gonna need more than minimum wage for a summer to get a good laptop so maybe you could also get a part time job as a tutor through your old school or some other program, only if you feel comfortable with the material to begin with.

 

[Erana]

Get out of what you consider is your comfort zone. If you have the back for it you could probably get a job landscaping. Its hard work and you'll get paid minimum wage until your prove you can handle yourself. Landscapers are always looking for cheap labor.

Look up numbers to local warehouses and I would really hate working at Micky D's but hey if you need the money then go for that. I imagine your gonna need more than minimum wage for a summer to get a good laptop so maybe you could also get a part time job as a tutor through your old school or some other program, only if you feel comfortable with the material to begin with.

Along these lines, painting houses would be a good job, if you're careful with people's property and aren't afraid to be on ladders. A bit less intensive than landscaping, in a way. There are also movers, though you'd prolly not be driving one of their trucks considering the liability/insurance issue of someone your age.

Still, though, have you considered putting a computer on student loans? You'd prolly only get a loan for one computer, but at least you'd not be without a functioning machine.
And a solid machine is very important for college, in my experience...

 

[Evidencebased]

I can't imagine you'd have to cut your hair for the kinds of jobs you're applying to; it's not corporate or anything. But a ponytail is a good idea for anyone with long hair, male or female, just to get it out of their face for the interview. You want to look put together and neat.

Do you have friends or family working any of these places, who could put in a word for you? Nepotism Networking can be a beautiful thing!

 

[SilkySkyKitten]

Do you have friends or family working any of these places, who could put in a word for you? Nepotism Networking can be a beautiful thing!

My stepdad's parents used to work at a local grocery store and know the manager quite well, actually.

Problem is, that was the grocery store that told me they were "overstaffed" a week after they gave me an interview.

 

[noxymoron19]

Your getting close to college and you havent had a jobÉ Im seventeen and Iève had a sort of job since I was 13. Right now Im dishwashing. Its easy enough and working in a restauraunt environment is pretty damm awesome. Just walk down a touristy popoular street and give out a but load of resumes. That always the best strategy. Usually if they call you back to be a dishwasher theres almost no way to fuck up the interview.

 

[dmase]

Do you have friends or family working any of these places, who could put in a word for you? Nepotism Networking can be a beautiful thing!

My stepdad's parents used to work at a local grocery store and know the manager quite well, actually.

Problem is, that was the grocery store that told me they were "overstaffed" a week after they gave me an interview.

Sorry to say it but the way things are your not going to find the usual "easy" jobs. Broden your horizons even if you don't take my suggestions or Erana's. There is no shame working at a fast food restraunt or working physcal labor. if it helps you think of it as something to put on your Resume.

My landscapping boss is a now chubby ex navy guy. I'm planning on being a bio mechanical engineer. I've worked for him and my dad. I wouldn't put my dad on there because thats technically not allowed most places but i'd put the ex-navy landscaper. The job i will one day apply for will probably put my salary above my parents current at 22 years old but if there is one thing a company wants its a good recomendation and my boss and I drink togethor with his wife and my co-workers and i would pick nobody else to give me a recomendation. At least the company i work for knows i won't quit if there is hardwork that needs to be done. Do what must be done, I met one of my best friends near dehydration ready to leave early because i didn't think i could take it. Take a chance, the only thing you could lose is a recomendation and most first jobs don't look for that anyways so you could easily replace that mistake.

Edit:-monday night into tuesdays morning its usually drunkk rambling so ignore the misspeallings.

 

[Elamdri]

If I may point out, you could always take out a loan in excess of your tuition and use the excess to pay for the computer. Just be careful and don't use that as an excuse to pickup a L33T gaming PC. I actually keep a separate computer for school, and I purposely set it up so that it can't really run games. Keeps me honest in class.

 

[tharglet]

Apply anywhere and everywhere. No harm in going into places and asking. Worst they do is say "no".
If you've got long hair, make sure it's clean and neat, especially if it's a work environment that you'll need to keep it like that. Tying it back seems a sensible option. (greasy and/or unkempt hair can really gross some people out, and with those sort of low-level jobs it's easy to find some legally valid reason or another not to employ you)

Not sure how it is over there (I'm UK) but if you're not dressed smart (even if the company's dress code is casual) then it makes you look like you're uninterested and not really committed to getting a job. My company was hiring recently, and there were one or two younger folks who decided it'd be good to turn up in a hoodie - it didn't impress anyone.

 

[SiskoBlue]

Apply anywhere and everywhere. No harm in going into places and asking. Worst they do is say "no".
If you've got long hair, make sure it's clean and neat, especially if it's a work environment that you'll need to keep it like that. Tying it back seems a sensible option. (greasy and/or unkempt hair can really gross some people out, and with those sort of low-level jobs it's easy to find some legally valid reason or another not to employ you)

Not sure how it is over there (I'm UK) but if you're not dressed smart (even if the company's dress code is casual) then it makes you look like you're uninterested and not really committed to getting a job. My company was hiring recently, and there were one or two younger folks who decided it'd be good to turn up in a hoodie - it didn't impress anyone.

This is spot on. The best way to find a job is to keep looking all the time. Get in the habit of reading local job listings. It can feel embarassing to ask if there's work going but it's usually the best way. Also, only speak to managers about jobs. Asking the staff in retail stores will always get you a "no", who needs the compeitition. Just ask to speak to the manager, and tell them you're very interested in finding work.

As far as interviews go, here's the reality. If you were able to drag yourself out of bed, go to school and get into a college, then 95% of the time you can do the job you're applying for. You might need to be trained a bit but believe in that fact and you'll have the confidence everyone says you need to show in interviews (people always say "be confident" without ever explaining how someone achieves that).

Think of it this way. There's a lot of dumb low paid jobs out there. You need to get one. The best way is to apply to as many as you can. And as quickly you as you can. And always follow the same pattern, apply... follow-up. Despite them saying "we'll call you", they almost NEVER do. I once went for a job, told them I was interested, please call me.... a week later nothing. So I called and they said "Oh? Do you want the job?" "Yes!?" I said. "Ok, start on Monday".....? Turns out I was the ONLY candidate, THE ONLY CANDIDATE, but he didn't think someone going to college would be interested in this job so assumed I didn't want it? Dumb, but this is what you'll have to deal with. Employers have a very, very different perspective than you.

Here's the next important thing to remember. If you don't like the job, and I mean, REALLY hate it, get out of it as quickly as you can. Nothing's worse than being stuck in a dead-end job because you're too worried you won't find another one.

Good luck.

 

[Pumpkin_Eater]

Is this an election year for your state? If so, see if you can get on board a political campaign. You'll start out as an unpaid intern, but if it's a gubernatorial campaign there may be paid positions that you can move up into. That was my first, and I highly recommend it.