In addition you may want to call a general manager and ask for an informational interview. Ask how to get started in the restaurant biz. Alot of hiring is done on an as needed basis. When “Ol Jim” doesn’t show up for his host shift, the first decent applicant to show up with an application gets the job.
Furthermore, you may want to hit the places with outside dining. They will start boostiing their hiring about this time for the summer.
Always apply at a restaurant between 2-4PM M-Thrs and never when they are busy. Dress nice and be extra clean cut. No stubble on the face and super clean hands (especially under the nails!- and keep 'em real short) No wrinkles on shirt or trousers, shined shoes. If you eat there, tip well.
Hello again Chris, David’s TRASH post reminded me of something, right the price of scrap metal is pretty high, I get $1.60 a pound for bare copper 45 cents for insulated at the scrap yard. A retired guy down the street scrounges soda pop cans for something to do, he gets $20.00 for a green garbage bag of crushed cans. Scrap steel is difficult because of the weight to handle it unless you have the means. Scrap aluminum siding and doors are also a pretty good go. I know it may not be a lot but something is better than nothing, ( Imagine how much scrap you could scrounge if you lived in the South) Good Luck Steve
Chris,
My son, Ryan, is also 17. He is working for a local building contractor, helping clean off residential construction sites when the house is nearly complete. Granted it’s not everyday work, but it is something to put on the resume for later. If Ryan does a good job, he may get to help out a little more with actual construction (at least carrying materials and the like). Not only a chance to make some money, but to learn some construction skills.
When I was a teenager, I found that self-employment was a good option. I cut grass, cleaned pools, raked roofs, hauled garbage to the dump, and anything else that would help me get by. Try these. Good luck.
When I was young I got a job for the local bus company. I wasn’t even looking for that job I just happened to always be polite and friendly to the bus drivers when I used the bus…one day a bus driver told me about the job and a few of them helped me get it. Just to say you never know where that job may be. Personally I think thats a good thing if those large corporate types won’t take you on. My most fun jobs have been with small companies and its just a matter of asking enough people and a positive outlook will get you to the place you want to be.
You think you have problems—Try finding a halfway decent job at age 62–It took me almost eight months.
They say “don’t discriminate against age” but they all do, especially around retire. age–you just can’t prove it. I got no response from dozens of companys whatsoever. Its been rough I guarantee!
Any way I thought if you have a school work permit you should not have too much of a problem but I don’t know the rules in your area—
How did you earn the money for your trains??
Here, in New Jeresey, you can leagaly work at 14… but no one will hire you.
Steve(Redhawk) already beat you to that, just took the cans and almuinium down thje past weekend, Alumi is $.45 a lb here. Ive also taken lawnmowers when people have been tossing them for clean up, If its not a simple fix, i take it apart and use the motor (alumiinum block) for scrap.
CHRIS, try contractors, I did this in the summers learned acement finishing trade. Also try recycling yards (junk yards) I also worked there cutting metal and making little squares out of junk cars.
laz57
Chris, NJ is not all city. I have seen some nice farms and greenhouses. How far away are they? Get you a summer job on a farm or greenhouse operation. I grew up on a farm, I always had a summer job [spring , summer, fall and winter]. Frankie worked summers [and evenings during school] for grocery store until he landed one with a NC based store like Walmart. He worked in shipping and receiving [mainly receiving].
One other option, sometimes you can find gas stations and auto parts stores
that are willing to pay “under the table”.
Just a thought-anything to make a buck–almost.
Cutting grass, painting houses (interior and exterior), yard cleaning and a big one these days…recycling. I don’t mean just bottles and cans, there is a whole world of free stuff to be found. When I was just out of school my friend Henry and I made quite a bit of money recycling lawn mowers. We would find ones that were being thrown out…some of them even worked. The ones that didn’t work we sold to people that woked on mowers.
Hello Chris: You just received a great life lesson, no matter how high or low you are on the totem pole keep yourself surrounded with good people. Kind Regards Steve
David, not to get off the main post, I snatched that picture of the tunic off the internet. My uniform is hanging in the gun room!! Mine is '70’s era for sure[;)] Actually right as the Marines transitioned from the wool tunic to the Dacron one.[:(]
Chris, Parents know best!! It was just an option!!![:D]
I had the same problem when I was your age. I delivered papers until I was sixteen and did a lot of odd jobs.
What I found that worked best then and now is net working with the people you know, and the people they know. Most people like to hire people they know. Let your parents, their friends, your friends, church friends, teachers, train clubers and everyone you meet know you’re looking for a part-time job.
Your best friends when you’re looking for a job are your rolodex and a phone. Make it a point to call 10 people a day and let them know you’re looking for a job, if they don’t have anything available ask if they could give you the name of someone who might and then call them and repeat the process.
Making cold calls looking for work is hard to do, ask any salesman. Keep an open mind. Take a job that’s offered to you, and if you don’t like it keep looking and quit when you find a new one.
There is no magic to job hunting, it mostly perseverance.
