There are hundreds of nearby jobs on Indeed and ZipRecruiter, yet no matter which one I apply to, I either get ghosted or, if I’m lucky, the closure of a formal rejection via email. Although I’m only 16, I’ve built up a decent resume and even have some informal past work experience, such as babysitting and an internship. Now, after months of submitting applications to retail stores, cafes, and restaurants that lead nowhere, I’ve realized that it might not be my fault that I’m not getting hired, but instead that the job market has gotten insanely competitive.
I understand that I don’t have any professional experience, especially compared to the slightly more qualified college students I’m fighting against. During an interview I recently had, to work at the front desk of a Pilates studio, I was told that I seemed like an excellent fit for the job and exactly what they were looking for. However, I ended up getting rejected.
Apparently, I am underqualified for a job that requires me to sit in a chair, greet guests, and point them in the direction of their room.
But how am I supposed to get experience if no one will hire me? I’ve applied to countless entry-level jobs, to no avail. The job could be as simple as making smoothies, working the cash register, or being a hostess at a restaurant. However, despite the job being marketed as entry-level, the first question I’m asked on the application is what applicable experience I have.
I stare at this question for a while as I think of all of my past experiences and ponder what feels like my entire existence to answer this question. Suddenly, every time I’ve completed simple tasks like folding clothes or blending smoothies becomes something I can bring up in an interview.
The main flaw with my job hunt is the fact that I’ve been wasting my time with online applications. With online applications, it’s so much harder to stand out. Behind the screens, companies can’t see the type of person I am. They don’t know anything about my work ethic or personality. I’m confident that in person I would be able to make a much better impression, rather than clicking answers to yes or no questions that are supposed to completely define who I am as a person.
When applying online, you are reduced to what you can tick off on a box or write about yourself, so the employer only sees superficial information.
It feels rather humbling that with all of the extracurriculars I do and real-world experiences I’ve had, the only place that has offered me a job is a boba place at the Del Mar County Fair. However, at this point, I’ll take what I can get – for the experience.
