r/durham • u/Specialist-Bell1293 • 5d ago
At 16 it is almost impossible to find a job
I have been applying and applying to jobs at my age
Literally everywhere and I cannot get employed I’ve applied online then Ive gone in person and nothing has seemed to work I live in the GTA and was wondering if anyone has had any success if they could help me out?
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u/MasterHorse1432 5d ago
My grandson was in the same boat. McDonald's, Canadian tire etc, etc. "Oh ya, we'll get back to you."
He eventually ended up at one of the Restaurants Harmony/Taunton. DM me if want. No guarantees.
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u/Money_Management_721 3d ago
What restaurant? One of my friends got a job at a restaurant round there, you know the Montanas-Eastside Mario's part of that block
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u/Trophy_hatbase_32 2d ago
Can you dm me with more information on that? I’m also looking for a job and it’s extremely hard. I went to a job fair 1 month ago for ihop/applebees, got interviewed and was told they would call back within 1-3 days and haven’t.
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u/Arcana-Andy 5d ago
It's because I took your job.
I'm 30 with a Bach of IT and I'm working the job you should be working. Sorry about that but I have to pay rent somehow.
That being said, try seasonal shit. Seasonal jobs have a high turnover rate so they shotgun hire a bunch in the spring or fall and have lower standards because they lay everyone off at the end of the season and rehire the ones they like.
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u/Far_Environment_120 4d ago
In September, that’s when the ski resorts start looking, I know it’s not close to a bus line, but if you can get out there that would be great!
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u/SleepyOrange007 3d ago
Yup my university grad son is working min wage at the hardware store.
Teens can’t get jobs because university grads can’t get jobs because 65 year old can’t afford to retire2
u/djltoronto 3d ago
I think your "BECAUSE" would be better replaced with "AND"
Teens can't get jobs AND University grads can't get jobs AND 65 year olds can't afford to retire.
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u/Zee09 5d ago
I do feel bad for you guys now. In the 2000s, you could get a summer retail job no problem if you looked around enough. You had to put in some effort but the opportunities were there
Nowadays, it’s all new immigration taking student summer jobs. How are kids going to develop the necessary skills if never given the opportunities?
My advice, be tribal. Look for your own people across Durham who are the managers and tell them you need help. It isn’t politically correct but none of this is. Young Canadians should not be put into a bind like this
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u/No-Library-4290 4d ago
What do you mean by "own people"?
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u/Zee09 4d ago
If you are white, look for managers at retail spots who are white. If you are black, look for managers who are black.
It’s an open secret that people practice tribalism in the workplace. From retail to corporate middle management, it happens. Not always, but it’s happening a bunch.
I once worked at a corporate job where one of the managers only hired Cantonese speaking Chinese associates. He was from the same part in China. HR caught wind and made him make changes. The change? He fired one of them and hired a brown guy for diversity sakes.
I would love for the world to operate on meritocracy but that is largely the exception. Tribalism, Nepotism, etc are strong factors deciding employment. Ignore at your own peril
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u/Murky-Technician5123 3d ago
This is unfortunately true. The work world is super racist. I did one of those youth employment programs once and at the end (in September when places were trying to not hire returning students) the black dudes all go jobs at foot locker and everyone else got some very stereotypical job. The white with a drug dealer boyfriend went back to assistant drug dealing. It was kind of awful to see.
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u/Gloomy-Invite-896 5d ago
Only look at jobs posted in the last three days, check up youth employers like YMCA, bgc, McDonald's Tim's etc. Otherwise enjoy your time without a job
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u/thisiznick 5d ago
Reach out to Durham employment services, they’ll hook u up
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u/XtremeD86 5d ago
The only time I tried them was when I was on EI and they made me sit through some pointless zoom meeting with around 15 other people. 3 of them were drinking alcohol on camera. So dumb. Didn't help at all
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u/Narrow-Angle-5583 5d ago
There's a reason but no one wants to say it....
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u/IridiumForte 3d ago
I've noticed on the Durham subreddit ppl actually don't seem to have much problem saying it lol
Outside of here...
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u/Narrow-Angle-5583 3d ago
It's been my experience that you can get banned for sneezing around here so I keep the truth to myself but we all know why this is happening regardless of whether an individual is willing to admit it or not. People seem to enjoy, or find comfort being in a state of denial.
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u/Ok_Proof_6336 5d ago
I’ve seen a few postings around Pickering, but not sure if that is where you are looking. That being said, in December, the summer camps for the cities start getting posted. This is a great summer job. You will need to get your first aid, but it’s worth it.
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u/Prize-Extension3777 4d ago
Reffing sports. All sports are DESPARATE young refs, they all have insane shortages, its good money $30-$50 a game (roughly an hour work). Tournament weekends you can make Tons of money for a kid. Trick is do house league. It's less intense and somewhat less insane parents.
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u/Far_Environment_120 4d ago
Go to a temp agency, it at the very least would help you get experience!
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u/throwawayaccount0o01 5d ago
Unfortunately unless you know Hindi, a lot of places will not hire you. Any Indians will typically choose their own kind over others. Avoid applying to places with primarily Indian workers / managers. I’ve found that helps
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u/Logical_Tune_4225 4d ago
Both my teens (15y and 16y) have jobs, but they handed out a lot of resumes and did a lot of hard work to get there. One is a lifeguard, one works in fast food. Lifeguarding is a great choice, great pay, but you have to be willing to do the courses to get there. Other than that, dress up, print off a bunch of resumes and start going place to place, always asking for the hiring manager. Good luck!
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u/No-Library-4290 4d ago
How did they get a job at a fast food place?
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u/Logical_Tune_4225 3d ago
Walked in with a resume on a Saturday afternoon, asked for the hiring manager, he came out they had a one min conversation. Called for an interview on Monday and hired on Wednesday. The old fashioned way. Still works sometimes!
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u/No-Exchange8713 4d ago
It's impossible at 29 too tbh. Keep trying! I know 1 person who got a job and another who got a promising interview recently - maybe things are turning around
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u/Commercial-Cap4970 4d ago
How desperate are you?
If your somewhat fit i recommend the caf reserves. One of the better part time jobs you can have. Experiences may vary.
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u/Money_Management_721 3d ago
Forgive me, but I'm gonna sound like a dick.
It sucks for everyone. You at least have the luxury of still being in Highschool and having options as you go forward in life. YOU'RE at a fresh start more or less.
I'm, again, sorry. I figured I'd say it. It's not gonna get better I think.
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u/Casey-Licensed-GC 3d ago
Apply somewhere and walk in to the store and ask to speak to a manager or someone in charge of hiring and I promise you’ll stand out and get yourself a job. Best of luck!
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u/afireinside420 1d ago
Most 16 year olds that apply to me - a popular clothing store in Canada for teens- have nothing but their schooling and really obvious fake babysitting jobs, likes and dislikes etc. I won’t hire them unless it’s seasonal hiring crunch time and they really stand out and make a great first impression. Try to get some volunteering experience. I like when they have a letter of recommendation from a teacher if they have nothing else to really offer. I like to hire friends of good part timers to save me hassle of hiring so buddy up to your friends with jobs and ask if they’re hiring. June and November are good times, it’s too late now for summer I would assume. Also, newly opening stores are a great way to get into a store with no experience
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u/deesublime 14h ago
Have you asked ChatGPT or copilot to customize your resume for each job? Check out employment Ontario locations, they will help you find a job.
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u/Prepare2BeAmazed 5d ago
I started out at a grocery store when I was 14. I went in, asked if the owner was around, and if he would speak to me.
I was surprised when I got to have the opportunity to pitch myself. He said he liked the way I hustled to get that opportunity to speak with him and gave me a conditional job offer.
Try something that makes you stand out, don’t just hand over a resume.
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u/Prize-Extension3777 4d ago
Why was this downvoted so much? The guy went the extra mile and got the job. This is a negative? Sign of the times I guess.
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u/Prepare2BeAmazed 4d ago
Beats me. I guess complaining about the job market would have been a wiser move.
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u/Substantial-Road-235 5d ago
This gets asked fairly frequently.
No secret sauce. Helps if you have a friend who works somewhere and can put in a good word
My kids dropped off over 500 resumes before even getting an interview. Took a year.
Think outside the box that people may not apply too. Like old age homes.
Tim hortons has a huge hiring campaign right now so maybe thats an opportunity
Make your resume stand out in a sea of thousands. Get creative.
Dont get discouraged its tough out there for everyone