Depends on where you live. I know in most places in Canada, Tim Hortons hires at 16. I think it would be a nice place to work, but I'm too young Dx. Other than that, clothing stores and fast food places are the only other places I can think of that hire young.

As for references, you could put teachers, maybe? Anybody who would say good things about you, really.

Maybe you could try to apply for a job at a grocery store. Most of them in my area hire at 16.

Managers love teacher refs, because it shows them that they're decent kids in school, etc.

Have you ever made/studied a resume? If not, get a parent/adult to help you out. They're not that hard. Make sure to include any work experience (volunteer hours, babysitting, charity work, etc) on there for good measure.

Now, when you go to drop off your application, look good. Not full out dressy, but look mature and professional. I know that first impressions mean a lot to a manager, and sometimes they throw out applications without even reading it if they don't get a good vibe from you.

Some places just take resumes, but some will ask for applications as well. Just go up to someone working there and ask if they're hiring, and that you have a resume to drop off. If there's also an application, don't panic. It will usually ask for the basics anyways: name, work experience, availability (make sure to know the days you can/can't work, because they'll for sure ask for that). Remember, if you already included it on your resume, you can write "see resume" on there to save time.

Good luck, it's a real bitch finding work. :P

a lot of places, you can just apply over the internet. jamba juice, petsmart, local grocery stores.

i think you can apply at restaurants for busboy or hostess.

if your friends work, talk to them and their other friends who work. my next door neighbor was telling about all the places in my area who are desperate to hire people.

i'm looking too and have applied just about everywhere and no one calls back. good luck

I've found that putting any work experience counts. I put in the work I did fund raising for my grade eight trip, and they appreciated that. I'd personally put the dog walking thing in there. I mean, the more stuff you put on there, the better you look, right?

I think it varies, because I know a few girls where I used to live got hired as waitresses, and they were only 13-14. I don't get why you would have to be 18 to serve alcohol, either. "OH HAI SIR I DRANK SOME OF YOUR MARGARITA TO MAKE SURE IT WASN'T POISONED TIP PLZ."

I've handed in countless CVs :( the only sure way to get a job has in my experience been contacts: you know someone who works wherever and they vouch for you.

I'd say print a bunch of CVs and pop into every store or coffee shop you think would hire. Smile and even if they say they're not looking to hire, make sure they take your CV anyway you know, for emergency use ;) I used to work at a tea shop where the owner'd call up job searchers when staff went on vacation, so it might get you -something- at least!

Also, make sure everyone knows you're looking for a job, sometimes unexpected people might have contacts and know someplace is looking to hire and stuff. Never hurts! This way you might get into places that aren't retail :P Like for instance I got jobs at uni/associated companies which aren't exactly announced in the papers :)

Good luck <3