What makes a teenager employable?

maria102 · Jan 7, 2008

My nephew left college early the year before last, after completing his second year of a three year course in sports science. Unfortunately since then he's not had much luck on the job front, the one job he has had proved too far for him to travel to and he's been unable to find another one since.

He's only looking for a start in an office at a junior level position, but I cannot work out why it is proving so difficult for him to get a job. I've redone his CV for him, though I admit it was a bit of a struggle due to his lack of experience, and I wasnt sure how to reflect the dates, ie five months in a saturday job two years ago and then four months in a job at the beginning of last year; the job centre advised him not to detail the months, just put the year?

He's had a few interviews, though again these have come to nothing. I know I am biased but he's a great lad, bright, funny and really considerate for a boy of his age (19), so I don't know why he doesn't appear to be getting a fair start? The only other thing I can think of aside from his CV is that he is overweight, would this put potential employers off? He's 6ft 3inches, but weighs around 20 stone.

I want to help him all I can but I'm stumped and I really feel for him because he's being so mature about it all but I can tell he's disappointed.

Cornish Steve · Jan 7, 2008

I've always broken the rules: argued my way into university when I didn't have the necessary A-levels; applied for a job that was way beyond my capabilities; and so on. What I've learned is that people can be impressed by such bold-faced initiative. For example, the company offering the job I mentioned led me along - but at the end of the interview offered me another unadvertised position. The point is, don't be stymied by convention.

I'd suggest the following:

- Have your nephew learn about a handful of companies locally. Read their Internet sites and press releases, read local articles about them, speak with people who work for the companies, and so on.

- Take his CV and adapt it to the needs of each company (i.e., a different version of each company). Explain "not what the company can do for him, but what he can do for the company".

- He should then find out the name of the HR/recruiting person for each company. Dress smartly and stop by a couple of them, introduce himself and his interest in the company, and ask to speak with that HR person. The worst that can happen is for them to say 'no'; the best is that he can impress the HR person with his initiative, smartness, and knowledge of the company. Either way, he can leave a copy of his CV with them.

- Even if he gets nowhere with this, it will force him to think outside the box, have the confidence to do something unusual like this, and that alone may spur him to think of other things.

I'm sure not everyone will agree with this rather different approach, but it's often worked for me.

maria102 · Jan 7, 2008

Many thanks Steve, I'm sure he's willing to try any new approach; thats the other thing, he's not without confidence, he gave me away at my wedding and stood up with ease at the reception and gave a brilliant speech, everyone was saying how remarkable he is.

Simon-M · Jan 7, 2008

What is he doing right now?

If he is sat at home perhaps he could be thinking more outside the box so to speak.

When I left the Navy several years ago I found myself actively looking for a REAL job when the last 6 years of my life had been sailing around the world, fighting in other peoples wars and generally letting my hair down. Not great on a CV when looking at positions in IT

Here is what I did. I wrote my CV out in a professional manner being careful to liken my military work experiences to commercial situations. You man needs to write his CV out playing to the commercial strengths gained in his school and temp employment.

Get the interviews. Go to them well groomed with a can do attitude. Be confident. Hard when you have taken knocks but do your best. The worst that can happen is that you won't get the job. So it's in your interest to up your game on the confidence front.

If the interview looks like it is going nowhere.... hit them with a winner.

Tell them you really love the sound of the job and the way the company is operated. You know you could be asset to their company if given the chance to prove it. Because you really want to do this tell them that you are prepared to prove this to them by working for the first 2 weeks for free. If after 2 weeks you are not convinced of my ability we can just shake hands and call it a day. If however you agree that I am right for the job then you will pay me as normal. You have nothing to lose.

Whatever he does, I wish him luck.

Simon

maria102 · Jan 7, 2008

Thanks Simon - I'm not sure what he's doing at the moment as he doesn't live with me, though at the risk of over egging the pudding, he's probably either helping his mother out or mine, he's had a tough few years losing two grandparents and two uncles with only a few months gap in between so its made him more sensitive to looking out for people.

LeonReed · Jan 7, 2008

The problems i can see are

Leaving a course early employers may look at this thinking no commitment etc.

And the weight factor ( depending how overweight he looks because he is tall ) will go against him as employers may be thinking about health issues and also personal hygiene issues. Now i am not saying he has any of the problems i have mentioned but i am being honest as to what i have witnessed within work places myself.

Also if he was studying sports science and is now trying to get an office job is this really what he wants to do? If not what does he want to do?

mooshooh · Jan 7, 2008

I too found myself in this position when i left college in June. Had no interest in further study and found myself looking for a job which after months of trying led me to nothing. Eventually found a job which i hated and with no promotion prospects i decided to leave. This has given me the motivation to start a business and do things my own way. I'm sure it isn't just your nephew but with personal experience, most young people find it difficult to find a job due to lack of experience.

I, Brian · Jan 7, 2008

Does he actually have qualifications for the positions he's applying for?

Simply because I would have thought employers would be looking for basic qualifications in office competency (ie EU Roadmap for computer use).

Also, is he simply looking for "a job", or is he looking to develop some kind of career path within the companies he's applying to? If he tells the first reason at interview, I figure there's a markdown as well.

2c.

notgoingto · Jan 7, 2008

This is interesting because i'm actually creating a job site aimed at young people in these situations. It will be live in the next couple of weeks.

If anyone wants a word with me, PM me.

maria102 · Jan 7, 2008

The plan was that he would work in an office for a year or so, join a gym, get fit and try and get in the police force.....as far as getting fit is concerned he's on track with that as the husband has started a new year fitness regime with him .

I would have thought his is qualified for jobs as he has good GSCE's in Maths and English, and has had to sit competency tests with the agencies that he has joined.

RieOrg · Jan 7, 2008

I think the most important thing to remember in an interview is to be confident. If an employer can see that you believe in yourself they will believe in you too. Also as mentioned above research on the company is essential.

Jan 7, 2008

If he/she is willing to be an Autopsy subject.

Earl

LeonReed · Jan 7, 2008

A good plan may be to try to get a job within a gym as his college experience may help him, even if its only working on the desk it means he can work out for free.

Also he should look at becomming a special or maybe a community officer both of these will help with his application for the police force.

Another factor for working in a gym is the contacts that can be made, people from all different sectors train and as the saying goes its who you know not what you know a lot of the time. Again this would be usefull for the police as a lot do go the gym so references and help with the recruitment process may be gained.

I really dont think going for a job he has no interest in will be of any benefit in the long run.

INDIZINE · Jan 7, 2008

Id be happy to cast an eye at the CV and provide any comments.

My daughter is 18 and my son 20. Both had average grades and didnt go to Uni. Neither had jobs before leaving school and both have been very successful at conversions from CV to interview to getting the job. Nothing on their CV was eggagerated or misleading. Just facts.

maria102 · Jan 7, 2008

Leon, I think that advice is PERFECT! I think you are so right! Going to ring the little blighter in a minute with that!

Earl, not sure your comment means - I do hope its in no way a reference to the fact that he's lost so many of his relatives?!

Philip Hoyle · Jan 7, 2008

I hope he isn't telling prospective employers that he only intends to stay with them for a couple of years before leaving to do something else!! That is definitely not a good move, especially as the employer will have to spend time and money training him as he is not currently skilled or experienced.

Re the weight, you will unfortunately find many interviewers to be biased due to their misconceptions. As already mentioned above, ill-health and personal hygiene are common misconceptions which are just as prevailant in those that "appear" more average! But as long as he is well-presented, clean and tidy, and dressed in something than doesn't make him look untidy, scruffy or larger than he is really is, there is nothing more you can do. Luckily many decent employers will look beyond first impressions.

What exactly is he doing with his time? Is he doing any voluntary work? Has he joined any clubs or societies? If not, then he should - he has virtually no work experience, so he needs to beef-up his CV with something else. The idea to join the specials is excellent - not necessarily just as a foot in the door to become a proper PC, but because it would demonstrate team-work, community service, ability to learn new things, etc.

Unless he "ticks all the boxes", he is unlikely to get much chance for large employers and the public sector who will usually have fairly rigourous entry requirements and selection criteria. He should have far more luck with small local employers who are more likely to look at the person rather than the paper.

KidsBeeHappy · Jan 7, 2008

what's the English equivalent of Project Scotland -

Short term voluntary placements for 16-23 year olds, with business and community, which have lots of training and are very favourably viewed by employers.

INDIZINE · Jan 7, 2008

I disagree with the first statement. My daughter has told her current employers she is going in the army this month subject to passing final tests in Edinburgh this week. They have said there is a job with them if she a) fails or b) changes her mind for whatever reason and have held off offering it to someone else until she receives the army offer on Friday (fingers crossed!).

Honesty has a lot going for it and employers cant help but respect you for it.

Jan 7, 2008

maria102 said:
Leon, I think that advice is PERFECT! I think you are so right! Going to ring the little blighter in a minute with that!

Earl, not sure your comment means - I do hope its in no way a reference to the fact that he's lost so many of his relatives?!

er no its more a comment on teenage behaviour as per Harry Enfield.

Earl

maria102 · Jan 7, 2008

Thanks for the advice guys....and sorry earl, but you can see why I thought it?! Sorry I'm too dense to work out how to quote the text back.....;-) but please accept my apologies for jumping to the wrong conclusions!

Jan 7, 2008

Hi Maria I have now read the whole post.

I think his sheer physical size is going to put many employers off as on an animal level we are intimidated by large people.

Does it have to be an office job,as his size would be considered a bonus in many other jobs.

It does look like he needs to get himself in shape as right or wrong people jump to conclusions about people outside the norm.

I believe in the states being bald is a no no for employment.

regards Earl

Chippie · Jan 7, 2008

I think the most important thing is to make sure he makes the right first impression. 5 years ago a young lad called me at work on the phone. He had just left school aged 16 with no qualifications. However he seemed keen and enthusiastic and was polite and well spoken. I told him to drop in a CV as soon as he could and judging from his response he hadn't a clue what I was talking about! 2 hours later he pulled up outside on his moped and came and handed me a CV, which I now know his mother had written for him! I took him on for a trial period and he still works for us now aged 21. He has completed a 3 year modern apprenticeship and is one of the most loyal members of staff you could ever wish for. Had his first impressions with me not been so good he and us as a company, would have missed out on a great opportunity. I remember thinking that day after he had dropped off his CV, "Wow, a teenager who has the bottle and desire to take control of his situation and do something about it. He deserves a chance for that reason alone!" But ultimately, it all came down to that all important first impression and his eagerness to succeed.

maria102 · Jan 7, 2008

Its me if I'm being honest that thought it should be an office job, my husband thought about manual stuff as it would kill two birds with one stone.. and I've never thought about being intimidated by size but you are right on that one I think, only being 5ft 3 myself nearly everyone is taller than me so I sort of got used to it a long time ago.

sjbeale · Jan 7, 2008

If he has done part of a sports science degree could he not look for something sport related. Potentially if he volunteered at a local sports centre/football team to give him some relevant experience that could stand him in good stead and it's all about networking.

If he really wants an office job has he any experience. He could try temping and needs to register with local recruitment agencies. Also the local council may have a temp register for him to apply for.

With his CV he needs to highlight his skills eg organisationak skills, IT knowledge, customer service skills. To build this he needs to draw on any Saturday jobs he has had or work whilst at college and consider the skills he used to do the jobs eg supermarket work = customer service skills. He needs to create a list of these skills topped with a sentence saying something about who he is. Last should come any work or school details.

If he secures an interview he should make an impression and go dressed smartly - suit or definitely shirt/tie and clean shoes. He should consider the questions he could be asked eg team working, what he can bring to the role, attention to detail, etc. He should have positive body language - good eye contact, upright body position, etc and try and hide his nerves.

It's not easy at this age for young people to promote themselves given their lack of experience and confidence. However, it can be done following these simple rules.
I have coached my eldest kids very successful in these techniques as I do a lot of recruiting and first impressions count - first with the CV and then with the interview.

INDIZINE · Jan 7, 2008

Maria Ive emailed you back a response. Hope it helps to any degree.

Matt1959 · Jan 7, 2008

Don't get hung up on CV's. Employers will always look for initiative imho. Do something that involves an approach different to everyone else and you'll at least make them sit up and notice. Also, keep plugging away at a particular vacancy if its what you want as everyone likes people that don't give up easily. What about offering someone your time for nothing for a week? I would think that the weight would be an issue for some but ignored if other qualities weres shining through. (all addressed to the nephew btw!)

rjharrison · Jan 7, 2008

I have a picture of a 19yr old living at home with a cushty life: no "real-world" money issues, home-cooked meals, sleeping in late and watching Neighbours every day.

His mum and his aunt try to get him off his backside and into a job but he isn't really bothered and fills in applications etc just to humour them / keep them of his case for a while whilst he perfects his hammer-ons on Guitar Hero 3.

That might not be the case Maria but it's an angle worth considering.

Jan 7, 2008

rjharrison said:
I have a picture of a 19yr old living at home with a cushty life: no "real-world" money issues, home-cooked meals, sleeping in late and watching Neighbours every day.

His mum and his aunt try to get him off his backside and into a job but he isn't really bothered and fills in applications etc just to humour them / keep them of his case for a while whilst he perfects his hammer-ons on Guitar Hero 3.

That might not be the case Maria but it's an angle worth considering.

sounds like a clear case of projection to me.

Earl

maxine · Jan 7, 2008

Hi Maria,

If your nephew has been going for job interviews via an agency then I would certainly get him to ask them for feedback as they should be getting this from their client and if it is a bit wishy-washy then ask them to go back to the client again for decent feedback. Sometimes the agencies do get this but don't pass it on to their candidates for fear of hurting their feelings so they dress it up a bit but good, honest feedback would probably really help at this stage.

Regards
Maxine

rjharrison · Jan 7, 2008

sirearl said:
sounds like a clear case of projection to me.
Earl

Sure: I've been there and done/do that

.

Guitar Hero 3 rocks!

maria102 · Jan 7, 2008

rjharrison said:
I have a picture of a 19yr old living at home with a cushty life: no "real-world" money issues, home-cooked meals, sleeping in late and watching Neighbours every day.

His mum and his aunt try to get him off his backside and into a job but he isn't really bothered and fills in applications etc just to humour them / keep them of his case for a while whilst he perfects his hammer-ons on Guitar Hero 3.

That might not be the case Maria but it's an angle worth considering.

I just found that hilarious and so did the husband....lets hope that isn't the case! We've just talked that through as an option and both agreed it had crossed our mind (!) though other various incidents point against that.

This is what happened last week - He applied for a temp job online and the agency told him to go to their offices, dressed as he would for an interview and take some of their competency tests....so he did, and looked v.smart. The recruiter he saw told him after the interview that he was the front-runner for the job and she would get back in touch after christmas (his interview was on Christmas Eve).

It was last Thursday when she said she would call him and if she didn't, he was to call her the following day.....so on the Thursday he came round to my house to check his email as his access was down at home....he didn't hear from her. He then called her the next day and she said that they'd given the job to someone who had worked there previously rather than re-train him? What do you think? My husband thinks it just the agency fobbing him off, though I think its plausible....either way he still remains in the same situation without a job.

adventurelife · Jan 7, 2008

He already has a job. It is a full time job 8 hours a day 5 days a week finding a job. If he is not doing that he will not get the amount of offers he needs to get a job that he likes and will help him develop.

That is 8 hours each day, phoning, emailing, researching cold calling. I have been out of work 3 times in my life by resigning from my employer or negotiating a pay off. The next day you go to work as normal but your job is finding work and you have to treat it as such but with even more get up and go.

He needs to change his size from a potential negative to a positive. I employ a guy each summer on a contract basis who is over 20 stone, he is also 7 ft tall and he has a usp if I ever seen one by using his size and quiet but confident way he conducts himself.

Get him to do things different. Sending in Cvs to endless companies will eventually get a result but spending a day in an industrial estate walking in on companies will get a quicker one. If he is not confident get someone to do some training to get him confident.

I currently employ someone who had the get up and go to follow me up the street, stop me, tell me that he thought what I was doing was a good thing but he could help me do it better! That was 18 months ago, he is still with us and is becoming an integral part of the business.

Find out what he really wants to do, then make sure he spends time learning about that area and then he can target and impress with the back up of research and knowledge.

Sorry if this sounds like a list but it always amazes me when people say they cannot find a job. With 5 minutes of asking questions it is easy to find out why. The vast majority do not put enough effort into it. I used to work on 100 contacts to get 10 interviews to get 1 offer. I was lucky that my conversion was much higher but if he attacks it with that mindset he will not go far wrong.

I am aware he is only 19 so I would not expect most 19 year old kids to know much of what I have said above but someone needs to tell him how to go about it. Once you know how you will never be out of work.

Matt1959 · Jan 7, 2008

Applying online???? Is this really the best way to get a job?, and then to an agency to boot......

maria102 · Jan 7, 2008

Matt1959 said:
Applying online???? Is this really the best way to get a job?, and then to an agency to boot......

It was just another channel to try and most large companies use them....

adventurelife · Jan 7, 2008

maria102 said:
It was just another channel to try and most large companies use them....

That vast majority of the UK work force do not work for large companies. They work for small companies. This is a huge advantage for job seekers as small companies often do not go to the trouble and expense of advertising. If he contacts enough he will hit a few that are thinking about taking people on. If he hits them with the right impression he will get offers.

Go the large company route and he will have serious competition.

maria102 · Jan 7, 2008

adventurelife said:
That vast majority of the UK work force do not work for large companies. They work for small companies. This is a huge advantage for job seekers as small companies often do not go to the trouble and expense of advertising. If he contacts enough he will hit a few that are thinking about taking people on. If he hits them with the right impression he will get offers.

Go the large company route and he will have serious competition.

You might be right.....though I've just noticed that even the job centre is online now which I didn't realise!

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