[Purple Haize]

Im only 21 so i had to deal with this not to long ago and the problem i saw was that a lot of adults were taking the jobs normally done by teens in the past. Bc of the bad economy a lot of adults are forced into these jobs and it seems like the employers would rather have them then teens.

Same situation here. I finally got an interview for next week after filling out two applications a day for two months. Even then, I only got this interview because I have a cousin working there in another department. The manager I talked too told me they only hire people that had "in-house connections". I'm assuming that might be the case with a few other businesses right now too.

This proves the adage: It's not what you know. It's who you know.

[thepostman]

It is always about who you know

[Schfourteenteen]

Anyway, did something change? When I was a teen, most of the fast food places (he's applied at most of them) would hire teens in a heartbeat, but not now.

Did you grow up in a college town? The economics of hiring needs have to have some effect on and employer's valuation of teenagers

[Cider Jim]

My first 4 jobs--delivering newspapers, cutting grass at my church, cutting grass at a campground/trailer park, and cooking at Burger Chef--were all due to connections I had, or people my dad knew, or friends that I had already working there.

Back then it was called "connections"; today it's called "networking".

[ATrain]

Today's job market sucks. I think about 75% of disability applications, or claimants I talk to, want to work just can't find anything. They even put it in writing on their activities of daily living forms we send them "Everyday I get up and look for work, just can't find anything." (paraphrased, not all are exactly like that).

Tell him to keep his chin up, something will open up somewhere. Fortunately, I never had to work at a fast food chain or grocery store. My first jobs: B&N Bookseller (Wards Rd. and LU Bookstore), LCA Tennis coach (thank you Jerry Jr.), LU GA tennis teams/assistant tennis coach, and disability determination analyst.

[lynchburgwildcats]

I have to hire college students as part of student employment. I have two jobs I hire other college employees. If I could fill all my jobs with adults, I'd gladly do it.

[flamesfan30]

im 21 and every job ive ever gotten has been thru a personal connection.

[jmdickens]

Im 27 with 9 years of work experience and 2 degrees.....Hardly getting any callbacks. Every job, commercial plumber in Austin; researcher for Senate Research Center in Austin; Consultant in Sanford; associate for Ferguson Enterprises, Inc in Lynchburg were all due to me knowing some high ups. However, praise the Lord, I have a job interview in Roanoke next week and it is also a connected job but it will be great for me if I get it and will actually $$$.


I pray for everyone looking for work because being unemployed or underemployed can be very trying and frustrating.

Can your son do manual labor? I do believe I have someone that could use a hard worker.

[flamesfilmguy]

Rooster, my first job was at chick fil a. probably the best place for a teen to start out. They told me they were accepting applications and I went back 3 different times and bugged the manager until she finally saw that I wanted the job bad enough.
My dad always told me that the squeaky wheel gets the oil. I know in todays market teens have even less of a chance to get hired. I was a lifeguard during the summers as well and that is probably the best job for teens during the summer I was able to work March to October opening and closing pools, cleaning, maintenance i know its not all year but some pool companies keep kids on all year round to do labor for some pools that are kept "open" meaning uncovered. Thats always worth a shot. its hard work but it was worth it. Also they make generally about 2-3 dollars more per hour than minimum.

Sometimes it takes thinking outside the box. my brother started with a brand new business after searching for almost a year for a job when he was 18. its an Airsoft place. he ended up volunteering for a month before they could pay him and then moved up and he's a manager now.

Also. just thought of this. Landscaping. its tough work but it builds character

[Hold My Own]

Rooster, if he's serious about McDonalds then let me know. I could prob help with that. Prob Chickfila too.

Email me and we'll see what we can do

[thepostman]

who's we?? Are you part of some kind of Lynchburg mob??

[SuperJon]

Yes.

[PAmedic]

Yes.

and now YOU are on the list as well.

congrats.

(call me if you need help with self-defense weapons/training)

[bballfan84]

getting a job no matter how old you are is all about connections

[Blessed1]

Most teens are slouches. They don't know your son do they'll just lump him in with the slouches. That's just the way it is.

+1

The biggest problem I have with teenagers is the lack of professionalism. As a manager, I would say that talking on the cell phone during work hours is my biggest gripe. Most times, one bad apple spoils the bunch. In fact, many companies develop a "been there, done that, not going there again" attitude with hiring teens.

[RubberMallet]

could it be his name is rooster jr that is causing the problem?

[JLFJR]

My 18 year old has been looking for a job this summer, Rooster, and he is determined to find one without my help. He is still looking but has some leads. When we went to Disney World earlier this year, I kept noticing that most of the employees had gray hair, including the ones who were loading the rides, managing the lines, working the concession stands. I hadn't been there in a long time but I remembered young people in those roles. In fact, when I was in college, I remember a lot of people my age going to work at Disney during the summers and even after they graduated. I asked around and they said what someone said in this thread. Older folks who had retired to Florida lost most of the money in their 401K funds in 2008 and were forced to go back to work and take the low paying jobs that used to go to teenagers. I'm sure Florida is not the only place where that has happened.

ATrain, the tennis coach job at LCA is open again if you are interested because your successor married my sister this past weekend!

[NotAJerry]

Agreed on the job search mess right now. Connections are the key. The interviews I've gotten in and around DC have all been through connections. I've asked a few places why I wasn't considered, when my education/experience is above what they're looking for, and have been told they either go with people recommended by current employees or people through LinkedIn. I got no answer when I asked why they bothered having their jobs advertised in other places.

[ATrain]

Thanks for the offer, but Virginia Beach to Lynchburg is one heck of a commute, and my agency doesn't have an office in Lynchburg that I can transfer too.

Congrats to him and your sister though

[jbock13]

I can't believe people go through LinkedIn for job openings. Anyone can post or say anything on the Internet.

[Rooster Cogburn]

My 18 year old has been looking for a job this summer, Rooster, and he is determined to find one without my help. He is still looking but has some leads. When we went to Disney World earlier this year, I kept noticing that most of the employees had gray hair, including the ones who were loading the rides, managing the lines, working the concession stands. I hadn't been there in a long time but I remembered young people in those roles. In fact, when I was in college, I remember a lot of people my age going to work at Disney during the summers and even after they graduated. I asked around and they said what someone said in this thread. Older folks who had retired to Florida lost most of the money in their 401K funds in 2008 and were forced to go back to work and take the low paying jobs that used to go to teenagers. I'm sure Florida is not the only place where that has happened.

ATrain, the tennis coach job at LCA is open again if you are interested because your successor married my sister this past weekend!

I believe it. He is still looking but no luck just yet.

[Rooster Cogburn]

could it be his name is rooster jr that is causing the problem?

Should help at Chic-Fil-A but NO!

[blwall1416]

My 18 year old has been looking for a job this summer, Rooster, and he is determined to find one without my help.

A self-made man....I like that.

[R i]

ATrain, the tennis coach job at LCA is open again if you are interested

[Rooster Cogburn]

still looking btw