If you want or need to make some money while you are still at school, then you probably want to know where to look for jobs you could do, and how to get them. A lot of people aged between 16 and 18 find jobs that they can do at weekends, in the evenings or during school holidays so that they can make some cash. This can be whether they need it to help their families, are saving up for something big like a car or a new computer, or they just want to have money to spend on the things they want without having to get it from their parent or carer.
If you are thinking about getting a job, then here is some advice about where to look, how to apply, and what to expect from interviews:
Where to Look
These days, most serious job hunting is done online. However, for part time jobs that are suitable for people who are still in school, there are still a lot of jobs you can find out about just by walking around your local area. Jobs in fast food restaurants, supermarkets, local shops and restaurants, are often ones you can apply for in the place that is advertising. Try going to the types of places where you’d like to work and asking if they have any vacancies. Often, if they do, they will be able to either give you an application form or tell you how to apply online. If it is a smaller, independent business, they may instead ask for your CV, or arrange an interview with you.
If you are not looking for a part-time job with a company but would rather do jobs for people in the local area - such as babysitting or dog walking - then a good place to look for people who need these kinds of services is local Facebook groups. If you don’t have a Facebook account, then it can be worth setting one up just to look for these kinds of opportunities.
Another option is employment agencies. These often provide people who can do things like waiting work on a short-term basis, such as for events. There will be a sign-up process that you can do online, and you will need to have a CV prepared. You may also need to go in for an interview or do one online.
How to Apply for Jobs
There are a few ways people apply for jobs, but it always starts with an initial enquiry. After enquiring about the job, you’ll be asked to submit either a CV or an application form. Many big companies like supermarkets and fast-food chains have an application form that you can complete, instead of submitting a CV. This will normally be online, but some places do still have paper forms for you to fill in instead.
These forms will ask you for your general information, as well as some questions specific to the company, such as why you want to work there. You can complete these forms and submit them online or hand them in. This is often the process for things like seasonal jobs, where a lot of the people they hire are teenagers who don’t have a CV. Even so, it can be good to write a CV before you start job hunting, because it is good practice for when you do want to start applying for jobs that require one, and because you can copy and paste a lot of the things you need for application forms from it.
There are of course also jobs you can get on a more informal basis, just by talking to people. These are usually when someone is looking to hire someone privately, or when it is a small business looking for help. In these cases, an email or face-to-face introduction takes the place of the initial enquiry, and if the people hiring like you, you’ll be given either an interview or a trial working for them.
Applying for a Job When You Have No Previous Experience
Writing a CV or filling in a job application form can be tricky when you are still at school and don’t have any paid experience to talk about. However, if the jobs you are applying for are ones typically done by people in your position, there is no need to feel intimidated, as the employer will have seen plenty of applications with no work experience before. Focus on what you are good at and what makes you a good candidate.
Experiences you’ve had at school or in any clubs you are in can be good to talk about. You don’t need to focus on accolades as much as experiences. Even if you’ve never been a prefect or the captain of a team, you can probably think of times when you have had to, for example, solve a dispute. These tend to be the types of things employers are interested in.
Interviews
If you are invited to an interview, there is no need to feel daunted. For most part-time jobs, it will be a short meeting with a supervisor or the owner (if it’s a small business) and will just be a case of them seeing if they think you’d fit in well in their team. Make sure you are on time, and take care to look presentable; however, you don’t have to feel like you’re on The Apprentice and go all out. Be natural and just focus on why you want the job, and why you believe you’d be a good choice for it.
Online Work
Working in a part-time job is not your only option. For some people, it is also possible to make money online using skills or talents they have. If you are good at art, you may be able to get people to commission your drawings, for instance. Sites like Fiverr allow people to offer different services online, and this can be a good starting point if you prefer the idea of doing creative work from home.
Getting your first job can feel intimidating, but there’s really nothing to be afraid of. Have a think about what sort of work you’d like to do and start your search!
