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20 years old, 0 work experience, can't find my first job

5 points by artemi_ ↗ HN
I'm 20 years old, almost 21, I've never worked in my life, never, I have absolutely 0 experience. I send my CV everywhere - waiter, stock boy, dishwasher, cashier, shop assistant, stocker, ALMOST ALWAYS THEY ASK FOR AT LEAST 1 YEAR'S EXPERIENCE. I sent a lot of CVs to McDonald's (at least 30-35) to different restaurants in my province. Almost no one has answered me. 3-4 restaurants rejected me. I'm trying to find some work as a stock boy, stock boy, dishwasher, but they ask for years of experience.

I'm studying adult high school in the afternoons and I have time in the mornings.

I repeat, I'm almost 21 years old and have never worked in my life, I've never earned anything. Many guys my age work as waiters and some are younger than me. And right now I'm getting angry, I'm getting hysterical, I WANT TO SCREAM, PUNCH AND BREAK SOMETHING AGAINST THE WALL RIGHT NOW. WHY DON'T THEY GIVE ME A FUCKING JOB DISHWASHING OR SOMETHING? WHY? I WANT TO WORK NOW. I'M DESPERATE AND I'M ANGRY NOW.

What do I do? How do I find a job in my situation? Could the Red Cross, Caritas help me? I'm angry and frustrated.

7 comments

[ 3.3 ms ] story [ 25.5 ms ] thread
Cheyana
Do you live near a Walmart?
huijzer
Yeah I get you. That sounds very frustrating indeed. I've had a roommate who just couldn't get "hired" as a roommate. And honestly there is nothing wrong with the guy. Perfectly social guy. He just had a bit awkward manners in his way of talking, but honestly he was a very nice roommate. Would cook for us and had a nice girlfriend too who was a nice addition to the house too.

What I'm trying to say: it happens. Maybe you have been extremely unlucky. Maybe you have, I donno, an right ear that rubs people the wrong way. It happens. The anger is a strength too right now. It's what gives you energy to put this post online and it can help you in finding alternative ways. Find productive ways to use the energy. And otherwise just take a breather. Take a step back. Ask some friends to review your CV. Whatever. You seem like a clever guy. You can type full sentences without typos from what I can see, so there will be a job for you.

taylodl
You've applied to independently-owned/family-owned small business that needs help and not just corporate wanks like McDonald's? People having no work experience tend to fare better with such businesses.

Also, most job applicants are having to send over 100 applications before landing a job, and that's non-professional jobs like you're searching for. Professional jobs are requiring several hundred applications. It's a grind.

devdude1337
You can try voluntary work. Working in animal shelters, or as you mentioned red cross / caritas could offer such opportunities. See, whatever you do, it will teach you required skills for any job and build up reputation. And it changes your perspective: jobs are not there to help you, it’s the other way around - what can you do to help the employer, the society, etc.? When you understand this, you will develop self esteem and find a direction in which you can go and develop yourself and a career.
RGamma
Wonder when capitalism's thumb screws are gonna break too many Americans' fingers. The day can't be too far off anymore, can it?
kjs3
He's not American since he lives in a 'province'. Reading is fundamental.
LopovJack
In hospitality you can still do things in person. Try printing CV and visit some pubs/restaurants asking them do them are they currently looking for employee. At least your CV will circumvent usual CV queue.