Hi everyone. So let me tell you a little about me. I'm currently 18 years old, a college freshman, going to my local community college. I go 4 days a week, but always get out on each day before noon. I have my own vehicle, with a license, no tickets, or a criminal record. I have my high school diploma, and years of experience of customer service.

With all this lined up, why is it so hard for me to find a job? I've literally applied every where I could think of, I called the places for a follow up trying to get an interview, but nothing. I'm getting so discouraged not getting a job. I really want to start saving up money, and this is making it impossible.

I can totally relate to this! Although at the moment I have stopped looking for work as I have some health issues going on... after I've dealt with those I want to get back out there for sure though.

Not sure where you are from but I know in the UK it can be tough competition. There aren't enough jobs.

I'm not really sure what to suggest other than making sure your CV/resume is up to date and looks good. Maybe ask a friend or relative to read through it?

How long have you been looking? :)

I hope your health issues get better!

I'm currently living in Arizona, in the US. Usually, it's so easy for me to find a job. I wonder why it's so difficult right now, especially when I have such an open availability.

I've been looking for about a few months ):

Don't get discouraged. With the market being the way it is, sometimes it's hard for younger folks to get a foot in the door. Just do what you can: set a goal of filling X amount of job applications per day or per week, that way, you know you're putting in conscious and tangible effort.

While also making sure your resume is up to snuff, maybe look into signing up with a temp agency? They're good for in-the-meantime situations. I've worked with a few and they're great when you're between jobs or unable to find something sustainable at the moment.

UPDATE: I got a job interview tomorrow!

second update: i didn't get the job ):

Don't get discouraged! More will come. Just gotta keep cranking at it and do what you gotta to keep hope alive.

that is true, thank you. it's because my school schedule was in the way. they wanted someone from 8-5, but I got to school from 8-11 so ):

Take to heart that the rejection was purely circumstantial, in that case, and doesn't reflect poorly on your abilities or job history. You can do it!

thank you for the sweet words, and positive outlook! I guess I can't be too down on myself. I don't have bills, besides small credit card bills that are under $100. I live at home, and my dad pretty much pays for everything. So it's not like my life depends on getting a job as soon as possible. I just want to start working to keep myself busy, and start saving for the time I switch to a 4 year university.

Getting a job is EXTREMELY HARD. I had all that and years of community service under my belt, and it still took me six years to get hired. It took them an entire three months to call back, too, so I wasn't even their first choice! They hired someone else and only called me cause they sucked!! Talk about bottom of the barrel!

Don't be so hard on yourself. Getting hired isn't a game of skill; it's more like the lottery. If you don't get a yes, that's pretty much expected. It doesn't mean you suck or are unworthy, it's just what happens. Maybe your resume got shuffled to the bottom of the "yes" pile and everyone else got called first. Life is stingy that way.

wow, that sucks! I'm sorry! i just find it so weird, ever since i got my high school diploma, and have a clear schedule, no one calls me back. and then when i was in high school, i got so many job offers. thank you, though. hopefully someone will call me back, i need some money, lol.

People like hiring kids since they assume that kids alone will be happy to do the work no one else wants to do for wages that couldn't support a dead snail. There's also more competition among graduates. It's nothing personal. Just keep trying, you'll get a 'yes' eventually.

that's extremely true. but thank you, i appreciate it! (:

I got a job about two months ago, in an industry I hadn't even considered. My friends who were also looking for work have started having the same experience, finding jobs they hadn't really thought about before. Maybe try to think about another way to apply your skill set, or a different position in a company you'd like to work for where you'll have a chance to move towards the job you really want.

Any tips for someone who is just average at most things? Like a 'jack of all trades' job?

Hello! How are your job ventures going?

My tip for you is to basically to apply for jobs that you might not think you're suited for. Try and make your resume include as much relevant information as possible for each individual job, have a good introduction, a good cover letter, and just hope for the best. Positively address the experiences that you don't have, so that the employer will know that you didn't just skip over that information and that you are really just ambitious. It won't always work, but you will never get those "too good to be true" jobs if you don't apply for them.

I don't know your gender, but I read somewhere recently that men are more likely to get jobs that they don't have the experience for, because they're more likely to apply for them. Women will see that they don't fit the job and go "oh well", before moving on. I thought it was quite interesting.

You might want to make your own thread for your question, but I'll give you some tips anyway. (If you do have a thread, or if you do make one, feel free to ping me and I'll offer more help.)

1. Apply to as many jobs as possible. Even average will get you somewhere. If you have some experience to back up each skill, then any employer should look upon you favourly.

2. Apply for entry-level jobs if you don't have the experience. These should let you find what you like and don't like, and allow you to hone your skills.

3. Make sure that your resume is relevant to the jobs that you're applying for. Also, make sure that your most recent experiences are at the top of each section, rather than oldest to newest. Employers want to be wowed as soon as possible.

4. If you have friends that have good standings with their bosses, or family friends who run businesses, try and get some experience with them. Expand your network. Find something that you're above-average at and go from there. Experience is incredibly valuable, even if it's just flipping burgers, because you can always spin that into something else on your resume.

Thanks for the tips and sorry for hijacking a thread. I'll check on those options ;)