experience for job

[funkychicken]

I am 17 and looking for a job in a shop, either a weekend one or a part-time one but I want one that pays more than the minimum wage (I'm not that desperate that I'd work for �3 an hour thanks very much) but most jobs say experience is needed, I've only had one job before and that was cleaning so not really relevant to shop work. How am I meant to get experience when none of these places will give me a job? I've been to charity shops to volunteer but never hear back from them. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[morg_monster]

Maybe try a large supermarket chain. They'll usually happily take on people still at school, and will pay more than the minimum wage (when I left waitrose 6 years ago the starting salary for a 16yr old working on checkouts was about �4.50) . Nowadays they have pretty good deals with paid absence and staff discount too. If you live near one try Waitrose - they were brilliant when I was there and if they still pay double on sundays then even better. When I was there they usually set you up to work a 6 hour shift or so at the weekend, and then one or two evenings during the week (about 4-5 hours). And they are understanding about school work pressures too.

[MissyA369]

Hi, I'm also 17 and just got a job at a local Charity shop. If you go on do-it.org.uk you can find where you can volunteer in your area. I also never got replies back but when I went to my local charity shop they offered me a job straight away ( even though they weren't on the site). Although it did take a while for them to phone back. So try you local Charity shop.

Also, try shop that are for people your age e.g. Claire's, FCUK, Debenhams etc  Although I did have a friend who applied to about 11 shops and never got a reply back, so it might be hard, but do try. I do know people who haven't had much or no experience and still jobs in these sorts of places.

I'm sure there are loads of little shops in the area that would give you a job, like Newsagents. Try places like Sainbury's if you want to, cos they are always filled with sixth formers working. Hope that helped.

[Octavius]

Most job adverts will say experience required, but generally with shop work you should be able demonstrate a pleasant demeanour, a level head and the ability to deal with members of the public.  Reliability and a willingness to 'muck in' are other key factors.

Rather than look at what you haven't got, look at the general skills you do have and try to apply them to the job application.

[sammyrobo]

I am 16 and work at Wilkinson. They pay quite good wages. And, I only work Saturday and Sunday - on sundays you get double pay! The uniform is a bit wierd but overall its a good place to work and you get good money from it!

[undercovers]

make something up - whats the worse that could happen? It would have to be something they couldn't check, like you spent every summer working in your aunties clothes shop in Brighton and had masses of experience in dealing with the public, ringing up sales and displaying stock... then just make it up as you go along, if ever questioned why you can't use a till or something just say its a different model to the one you used before... easy... lying is generally the best option in work situations where you don't really need the job