So I am 15 and most likely not gonna get hired. That is why I need some advice. If you got any advice, I could really use it. 

Well you are not wrong , the chances of you getting a job are pretty slim for your age and also because of the economy . There are many people in the job market right now probably applying for the same jobs you are applying for . I think the best advice I can give you is to remain diligent and positive about the whole thing . If you get a call back for an interview express your excitement for the opportunity and be respectful . If you have any experience in anything it is good to talk about these things . Although I know a lot of places will not hire you simply for your age, However do not panic there are places that will give you an opportunity.

Welcome to the joys of a slowly failing economy and a lack of jobs for an overpopulated world

I have 2 suggestions for a job at your age.



1)  Check with the local grocery stores and restaurants.  Grocery stores tend to hire more young and old people than most employers (at least from what I can tell).  Restaurants need their dishes cleaned.  I know its not a desirable job but someone has to do it (it was my first job when I was 16).  Both of these are a good place to start and build a work history and references (both of which will be important in future jobs).


2)  Talk to neighbors and family members about any chores they may have that you can do to earn some cash.  This is nice because you get paid up front and you don't get taxed.  Depending on what part of the country you are from you could do a number of different things, rake leaves, sweep walkways and driveways, wash cars, chop and stack firewood, farm hand.  etc.



As far as dealing with people, present yourself in a professional and courteous manner.  Be sure of yourself, you are the person for the job!!  Do not get discouraged if you get turned down, every time you deal with someone you get more experienced.  When you do get some work, be punctual, its better to be 20 minutes early than a minute late!!  Show them you are motivated.  If you have a reason why you need the money, you might incorporate that into your discussion, let them know you have goals.  Use references, such as family members, neighbors, friends family members etc.

The economy sucks, so even if you follow my advice, your chances are slim, being 15. Most places seem to want people in their 30s and 40s. I'm having a hard enough time getting a job in my early 20s.

But my best advice is this.

1) Churn out applications like you are an application factory. You won't get your first pick likely, or your second, or your third, or you get where I'm going with. You can't afford to be picky when looking for a job. Put out applications at every place where it is legal for you to work. There are many places that require you to be 18, but generally speaking you will be turned away once it's clear you are looking for a job. Just keep moving, and go to every place you can, and fill out online applications if you have to. The more applications, the better.

2) Get your name out there. Do community service and get involved with the community. This is something I didn't do in high school, because the idea of working and not getting paid pissed me off. But it's advice I was given, and will pass down to you in turn. By doing community service, not only do you get experience you can put on a resume, you get to meet a lot of people who may be able to give you a recommendation down the line. The more references you have, the better your chances of pulling down a job. It's also possible that someone you volunteer with has an opening at a job, and will put in a good word for you there. Bonus.

3) Do not give up. Getting a job can be ridiculously hard in the US (I'm assuming you live in the US), in part because of our s*** economy, and in part because you are underage. With so few jobs around, companies want experienced people, even if they may not be the best hire. I was once passed over for a 40 year old woman who looked ill, simply because she had more experience than me (this is for a job at a convenience store). I'm 22 years old, and in the prime of life.

4) Dress the part. Look confident, be confident, do confidence. I don't care if the last one doesn't make sense. The point is you have to walk into any interviews you get confident you know yourself, your role, and the answers to the questions they will give you. You cannot give off the air of uncertainty, because job interviewers will pounce on any weakness. Be wellspoken, especially if you are applying for a job that requires you to be wellspoken.

5) Finally, don't go beyond your limitations. Earlier, I said apply for literally every job you can. This is something you need to take with a grain of salt though. There will be jobs you are not qualified for, and jobs you would suck at. Think for a minute about your strengths and weaknesses. If you lack upper body strength, don't apply to work construction. It not only isn't in your strengths, but it is in your weaknesses. You can generally do a job if it isn't in your weaknesses, and ideally, you'll find a job that plays to your strengths. Avoid doing jobs you know you can't handle. In the long run, it's better for you, because if you try to do a job you know you can't do, you'll likely be fired, and you won't be able to put the job experience as a useful reference on future applications.

You may want to speak to your school's guidance counselor, as well as your parents. Both can be invaluable resources.

It's mostly all been said, but my advice is:

Apply everywhere!

Don't be picky. You are young, you will get "good" jobs in the future; for now just take what you can get and get some experience.

If you do have a few interviews, and have to pick between a few, à la carte restaurants are a GREAT place to learn how to deal with people under pressure, which is a very good skill. Also, you can make good money.

Don't put your age in the cv.
If they phone you or arrange an interview not knowing your age, you havent lied and have now got them talking to you, you have a chance to persuade them they need you.
Don't have the same standard paragraph by paragraph cv/cover letter format.

Here is the reality, employers rarely read a cv.
They scan over each one for about 15 seconds, think dull, dull, interesting, dull and cherry pick a few nice looking ones.
Then if you are lucky enough not to have been chucked they will scan it again for keypoibts e.g experienced team player, proficient in English yada yada

As soon as I realised that I got a lot more job responses, and am happily employed.

Due to your age I imagine you have no work experience, but if you convince them you are a potential asset they will look past it.
Most people fail to get jobs because their cv's don't cut it.

As for person to person contact, you want well dressed, well groomed, good posture, avoid slang words, maintain eye contact. A lot of people dont notice they do things like look away while talking to/being talked to by the interviewer.

If you are dropping into local stores the interview starts as soon as you open your mouth and ask if there are any jobs.
They will say no regardless if they dobt like what they see. If you make a good initial impression, they may even take your details in case future opportunities come up.

These are real points I have found to be true through experience.
I know if I wanted a job (a different one anyway) I could get one in about 4 days.

Also try to make yourself flexible if they start asking what you are prepared to do.

It's a bit tough to find a job these days especially when lots of people are heading for the same type of jobs as you. The chances of you finding a job at your age are very small.

I would suggest that you start off small by finding places to volunteer to build your resume and experience. Then when you grow a little older and the time is right, it would be the time for you to get a job. Lots of jobs that I see these days are looking for people with experience and there are a small handpicked of jobs who are looking for anyone whether they have experience or not. Unless you have lots of connections with people who have jobs, I don't expect you to have a job at the moment. I didn't get a job until I was 17 years old.

There can be laws and challenges for companies and you with your age, depending on where you live.  Find out through the city or town hall if you need certification or any legal documents to allow you to work.  Also, talk to either chamber of commerce or other gov't agencies (libraries are a great resource here) to find out who hires younger folks and talk to your family members who can vouch for you if you get an interview.  This is all in the preparation.  That part makes the rest easy.

The objective of your first, second, and third job isn't just making money.  You're learning how to work.  You need to figure out transportation, your schedule, and how to follow a boss's orders.  You're picking up skills and learning new things.  During interviews, tell them you want to learn, you're not just there for a paycheck.  I am a manager type and I'd rather someone who wants to learn because they invest themselves in the work, they just don't show up and do the minimum.

You can also do like what was suggested and do odd jobs, lawn work, snow shoveling, and other things around the neighborhood.  Print out some flyers, pass them around, talk to neighbors and start doing that.  You don't have to pay taxes on work under the table.

Good luck!  You won't get something the first time you try so keep on working and asking.  You'll get there.