What job should I apply to?

[Emily]

I have no work experience. Some of the stores I've applied to are (including different store locations of the same company): Strawberry's, Game Stop, several maternity stores, Macy's, Sears, Best Buy, kiosks in malls, GAP's, Old Navy, many retail stores you will see in malls, McDonald's, Burger King, Applebees and Modells. A lot of the retail stores didn't hire me because I don't have the right look while others didn't hire me because of lack of experience, lack of references (I have no references outside of the family) or I was unable to work the hours the stores wanted me to. Any ideas? I would really appreciate it.

PS I Even looked at a few office and library jobs, even to volunteer, and I haven't been able to find anything.

[Jack]

The only and best chance you have for finding a job is to print out a bunch of CV and then head out to town. Go to every store and work place you can imagine. Think of unusual places that people usually don't think about. Maybe be go the local industry area. Maybe they need a secretary or go to the hotels. Hotels usually have a bunch of different jobs. Avoid the city center. I'm sure you can imagine that they get in hundreds of application every year.

I did this with my friend. Me and him each handed out 100 CV each. I was offered 4 jobs and he 6. A lot of companies just said: "You have time for a quick interview?". Right then and there. So that's what I would do.

[Rgurl]

Right now the job market is tough, even for those that have experience.

First off, you DO have references. Friends of the family (especially friends of your parents) or school teachers that can vouch for your work ethic will suffice. Pick two or three that are largely in your favor and run with those. If you have the opportunity, be sure to share any awards or achievements from school as that always looks good in place of work experience.

I highly suggest looking for a small business (not corporate retailer) that might need someone even if it's short term or just a few hours a week. It could be sweeping the floors, it doesn't matter. The trick is, you will gain that work experience to include on your job application - or - you might actually find a job you enjoy.

A lot of small businesses right now are also looking to branch out to social media and need to hire someone for minimum wage just to update and/or monitor their profiles a couple hours a week. This is another way to get on the books and log experience and might be something you enjoy.

For example, when I was looking for more income I offered to help some local stores by managing their opening or closing shifts. Granted I had work experience, so they knew I could handle the basics of running a store, but the point is I offered my services to them - they did not request it of me. Be creative. Look for places where you can help.

Best of luck

[A]

Keep trying. Volunteering at non profits and keep applying. Job fairs. You need to add skills to your resumee. do more research...
Congrats on your initiative. Good research efforts.
Complete thorough realistic research to achieve life sustaining income. Maybe accounting, engineering, law, medicine, computers, .... Always get job descriptions with course requirements from employers, unions, certification groups/associations. Don’t sign up for education till you’ve done this, EVER!!!

Pick a path where you don't start working bankrupt with debt. Don't become another casualty of the Trillion$ student debt. You must earn enough, $200k+ to support a family in a major City. Do not low ball your life and your family. If you can't find work volunteer to get in the door. Try volunteering at good potential employers and go down from there to community service, but get in anywhere and start working/networking, even if it’s for free. Be a model worker, no yapping, internet, cell phone..start work 30 minutes early and end work 30 minutes after day's end. Keep learning from more courses, read books, get another language, etc.

There are almost 50 million people on food stamps, ~20% of males 25 to 54 yrs not working, lowest SATs in 40 years, debt to GDP over 100%, 25% of global prison inmates with only 5% of global population, etc, and what’s uncle Sam’s answer to America's problem, which impacts the rest of the planet? Corrupt political paralysis and meteoric debt plague spiking by adding a trillion dollars of debt in 2013 to criminally prop up financial markets artificially. What a mess we live in!

You are On Your Own. YOYO's the word. Never forget it. Take control of your own lives and ignore whatever fictional solutions the politicians and corporate bobble heads throw around as their self-profiteering benevolence.

Abandon obese consumer spending debt addiction culture and resulting self-enslavement. Cut your lifestyle in half or less of the destructive unrealistic American dream nightmare standard....small house or apt..one car or no car .. always have a second job cause the one you have can/will disappear ...save and invest over 50% of your income if you can .... stay with your parents....parents move in with your kids...Rent with friends...rent rooms in your home ..Live like the wage you make today could be the last you'll earn, always. Stay away from Ponzi’s, addictions, unhealthy lifestyles, get rich scams, online rip offs and purple Kool-Aid cults.

Most of all maintain constructive positive relationships and forward planning. Have fun at it without spending money. What you want to do is great but do it with a strong dose of reality and caring for your future, family and community. Good luck! Cheers.