Why don't people hire 15 year olds?

this is really pissing me off. I simply cannot find a place that will hire me, a 15 year old since April. the minimum age here is either 14 or 15, and the actual age that anyone hires is 16+. I mean come on??!?!?!?! Is there some secret "no hiring" policy for those who actually want to work, rather than those who have to? I don't wanna have to rely on my parents for everything anymore, but I cant get any money.

where can I work?

if you say mowing lawns i will rip off your head and spit down your neck!!

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Originally Posted by Prussian Iron

this is really pissing me off. I simply cannot find a place that will hire me, a 15 year old since April. the minimum age here is either 14 or 15, and the actual age that anyone hires is 16+. I mean come on??!?!?!?! Is there some secret "no hiring" policy for those who actually want to work, rather than those who have to? I don't wanna have to rely on my parents for everything anymore, but I cant get any money.

where can I work?

if you say mowing lawns i will rip off your head and spit down your neck!!

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You do know there are 5 people for every job, right? Not even adults can get work.

i used to work on my uncles fishing boat out in california. tipsy people give good tips

Sucks buddy.

I know you as a responsible guy, so if you lived near me, I would employ you, pay you five baseball collector cards to wash my car.

The thing is, there are people with university-level qualifications that are struggling to find a job in the current climate, so finding one at your tender age is going to be pretty difficult; I was, unfortunately, claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (basically, it is a bare-minimum substitute for a weekly wage) for six months after returning home for a gap-year of uni (overdraft needs paying!), sending my CV off to various companies and agencies that basically responded with "you're overqualified, why are you applying here?".

I had no luck whatsoever, despite my wealth of qualifications, and was eventually foisted into a job that, while it has it's fun moments, isn't worth £5.80 an hour; I want to be a teacher, not a glorified litter-picker. -_-'

I don't know the country from where you hail, but if you were British, the only thing you could offer an employer would be that you don't actually have to be paid a minimum wage as you're still of compulsory school age... that and you're pretty keen to work, I guess.

A 'paper round' is probably the best place to start, or maybe offering to wash cars or something... but you'll be working for a pittance.

IIRC, under 16 years of age there are rules designed to prevent child labor sweat shops. It might be hard for you since there aren't many jobs in general, and hiring you (as opposed to a 16+ worker) probably restricts what can be asked of you on the job.

You say that you wont do yard work, but face it pal, you just might have to if you really want to make money.
You are 15. Face it, employers want older people who they view as more responsible.
When I was 15 I applied for a job at Pike's, at Brusters, and neither of them called me back. You want to know why? I was 15. I eventually got a job being an intern for a local law professor, but that was only because I knew him and he took pity on me.

The job market's tough for everyone right now. My 16 year old step-son has had job applications in every business within a 6 mile area, bike riding distance, of our home. He managed to land a part time job pumping gas at a Seneca Nation Indian gas station last week. Keep trying, don't give up. Offering to do yard work/clean up/painting jobs during this hot summer could be lucrative for you. Depends on how bad you want a little financial independence I guess. Part of the problem is that since you are 15, you'll be going back to school by Labor Day, 6 weeks or so from now. Being a student means your hours available to work will be restricted by State Law. Try places that desire part time workers, fast food joints, pizza/subshops, grocery stores, Dollar General, Walmart, etc...

Nobody will employ me and I'm 20. I applied to everywhere in my hometown and the surrounding towns this summer, and got a few interviews, but still got nothing.

It will probably look bad that I won't have had a job when I finish University next year, but there's not much I can do.

the reason, Hooah, that I refuse to do yardwork is that I wasted an entire summer of my time mowing lawns, and I...will not do it. just won't. would i f i had a ride-on mower maybe, but i have some crappy 10 year old push one that takes forever to mow anything. worst summer EVER.


and now you guys are making me feel bad that I think injustice is being done to me. wheres the over sympathy? I WANT SYMPATHY DAMNIT!!!!





/obvious sarcasm

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Originally Posted by Beskar

You do know there are 5 people for every job, right? Not even adults can get work.

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This. It's crazy out there right now. ~:(

Keep trying, you'll get a job eventually. Or you won't.

Also, as a rule, most 15 year olds tend to be up themselves and automatically think they know better than those they work with, unwilling to listen to instructions and just generally low on productivity compared with someone older.

In a proper store, experience also helps.

Not saying you fit into that, just thats the common perception out there.

hell, I cant blame anyone for that assumption; lots of people I know that age never listen to advice, and do stupid things constantly. I just wish that people would at least ask some questions/interview you before they pre-draw your entire personality/work ethic.

The wages a re low, the jobs are few,
The only thing plenty, are people like you.

Look, I made a poem just for you. ~;)
It's hard to get jobs at the moment, my dad and I think I should get a better job to get complete financial independence and get away from the student loans, plus gain work experience, but I don't have much hope of finding such a job at the moment.
All you can do is try. :shrug:

You live on a base like me right? Our base and as a result our surrounding town are all largely unaffected, yours should be much the same. Apply for jobs ON base. I've got a friend at the exchange, the ligfeguarding tons of em, at the commisary, etc. You should be able to pick up a job as long as you move quickly enough.

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Originally Posted by Prussian Iron

hell, I cant blame anyone for that assumption; lots of people I know that age never listen to advice, and do stupid things constantly. I just wish that people would at least ask some questions/interview you before they pre-draw your entire personality/work ethic.

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Unfortunately PI, because there are so many 15-year old idiots (again, not saying you fit into that group), employers just say "why bother" and move on to older applicants.

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Originally Posted by Prussian Iron

if you say mowing lawns i will rip off your head and spit down your neck!!

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Paper route.

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Originally Posted by Centurion1

You live on a base like me right? Our base and as a result our surrounding town are all largely unaffected, yours should be much the same. Apply for jobs ON base. I've got a friend at the exchange, the ligfeguarding tons of em, at the commisary, etc. You should be able to pick up a job as long as you move quickly enough.

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Oh, I forgot to start a thread; we moved. In Virginie now bizniches!

gotta say, the traffic here sucks. the house and neighborhood are better, and I love being able to go to one central place to get everything, rather than run around the whole town (Uber-malls FTW!!!), but to get anywhere basically you have to take I-95, and my mom frequently misses our exits >:(


funny enough though, i had a friend at the Lejuene exchange who said it paid well and had flexible hours. the people said I had to be 16 though...

Because they are 15... Also, mow lawns...

Up here, the kids shovel sidewalks. Summers don't last long enough for the grass to grow.

now that i wouldnt mind.

FWIW, when I was 15 the only job that under-16-year-olds could get outside of having a family member of friend of the family employ them, was bagging groceries. And I do mean only. Until you hit 16, you're a bit out of luck, and as others have mentioned the economy sucks big time right now. Good on you that you want to work though, I've been constantly employed (outside of school) since I was 16. Having a job teaches you a lot of really good life skills.

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Originally Posted by Louis VI the Fat

Sucks buddy.

I know you as a responsible guy, so if you lived near me, I would employ you, pay you five baseball collector cards to wash my car.

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Since when do you have a car, mister "I live in Paris, I don't need a car. Public transport FTW"?

:inquisitive:

I've had a car ever since I've had a collection of Major League Baseball trading cards, that is, ever since I passed my driving test and was issued my poetic license. :book:

I'm 15 as well. I just buy things at execution sales when companies go bankrupt, after that I sell it for 4x/5x the price I bought it for at the Dutch equivalent of Ebay. With my profits I buy more expansive things at the execution sales and sell that for more.That's THE way to profit from the crisis. I've earned 854 euros this year alone.

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Originally Posted by Hooahguy

I eventually got a job being an intern for a local law professor, but that was only because I knew him and he took pity on me.

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This. If you don't know anyone who could be hiring/needs workers, then you're going to have a tough time. The place I work intermittently I only got because I know the other guys who work there and they asked me if I wanted to work because they needed extra hands. The pay is awesome considering we are basically stock handlers.

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Originally Posted by Skullheadhq

I'm 15 as well. I just buy things at execution sales when companies go bankrupt, after that I sell it for 4x/5x the price I bought it for at the Dutch equivalent of Ebay. With my profits I buy more expansive things at the execution sales and sell that for more.That's THE way to profit from the crisis. I've earned 854 euros this year alone.

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lolwut?

and even then i'd need starter money, and i dont think $5 is enough...

I started with 35 euros, bought a modern PDA, sold it for 100. Then it's easy. I always laugh at my friends who work and don't even get a fraction of what I get. Such is life as an entrepreneur.

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Originally Posted by Louis VI the Fat

I've had a car ever since I've had a collection of Major League Baseball trading cards, that is, ever since I passed my driving test and was issued my poetic license. :book:

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You're one of the biggest mysteries on this site, the only things I seem to know about you are that you live in Paris and seem to be male, if I weren't a girl, I wouldn't find that incredibly sexy.
What I'm trying to say is, compared to you I'm almost naked. :sweatdrop:

I also notice we have a real dutch merchant among us.

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Originally Posted by Husar

You're one of the biggest mysteries on this site

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One post you share your picture, in another your occupation, and then one day some punk has figured out your Facebook and LinkedIn accounts and sends blackmail to your wife or splatters all over the net some controversial Backroom opininion you posted in 2007. ~:handball:

Only 894 euros ina tear? Chump change

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Originally Posted by Prussian Iron

I don't wanna have to rely on my parents for everything anymore, but I cant get any money.

where can I work?

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What about doing some work for me? I need some rather easy stuff done, can be done on your computer at home (since I'm in another hemisphere and continent)

Chuck me a PM if you're interested.

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Originally Posted by Louis VI the Fat

One post you share your picture, in another your occupation, and then one day some punk has figured out your Facebook and LinkedIn accounts and sends blackmail to your wife or splatters all over the net some controversial Backroom opininion you posted in 2007. ~:handball:

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One day you walk across a street and a second later a truck drives right over you. ~:handball:

But yeah, good thing I don't have a wife/husband, that way I can read all the blackmail Kukri sends me myself. ~;)

The only thought that I can offer is think outside the square.
You are doing the standard things that everybody who wants a job does... I once got a job with a company, that I had previously been turned down at, by working for them, for free, for a day.

I lost a Saturday demonstrating my knowlege but gained 7 years employment.

Even working for free could profit you in the long run ( experience, a reference etc) What can you do? What do you know? What do you like doing?

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Originally Posted by Louis VI the Fat

One post you share your picture, in another your occupation, and then one day some punk has figured out your Facebook and LinkedIn accounts and sends blackmail to your wife or splatters all over the net some controversial Backroom opininion you posted in 2007. ~:handball:

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Aha! He's married. Another piece of the puzzle. Within 4 years, we'll have all the information we need to squeeze the last penny out of this one!

You're way too paranoid :angel:

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Originally Posted by Centurion1

Only 894 euros ina tear? Chump change

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I only do it when I need some extra cash, and why would I bother to go over 1000 euros?

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Originally Posted by Andres

Aha! He's married. Another piece of the puzzle. Within 4 years, we'll have all the information we need to squeeze the last penny out of this one!

You're way too paranoid :angel:

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says the one with RED EYES on their avatar...

To young. :laugh4:

I live in Virginia, and when I was under 18, it was impossible to get a retail job at the mall, etc. No one would hire me until I was 18. My guess is child labor laws and also the larger chain stores wanted to hire people who were not legally minors. I don't know why. Maybe you could get a job bagging groceries? Most of the people doing that at my local Wegmans look way young to me, under 18. I don't know if they only hire 16+ but a grocery store might be worth a shot. If you're off school for the summer, maybe you could make some money walking your neighbors' dogs while they're at work? If you think they would trust you to have a key to their house.

Hiring 15-year olds is a hassle. No, this isn't some prejudice against youngsters, this is a fact of life.

Child labour laws doesn't state that child labour is illegal, like most people believe. Child labour laws states under which circumstances children are allowed to work. One of the requirements is that the child needs to be watched at all times, to prevent injuries. That means that a potential employer will need to babysit you the entire day, because if something happens to you when he's not looking, he'll face a world of pain from the government. This limits the number of jobs drastically. Your best bet is probably as a sales clerk in an independent store, where you can work for a couple of hours restocking shelves.

Scienter: the reason why big malls won't hire you is because their budgets doesn't allow it. Most stores operate with a budget model that says if you have x turn-over, the manager gets to hire y number of people to work there. Because of the above and the inflexibility of working hours, a 15-year old cannot replace an ordinary employee, even a part-timer, so if you are to be hired, the manager will go over his wage budget. And if he goes over his budget, he will lose out on his bonus....

Mrs. Ajax spent 9 months after we moved here looking for a new job, and finally picked one up in April. That's with a bachelor's degree, a fair number of past internships and jobs, and some good recommendations. It's just a bad time.

Ajax