|
|
Rank: Senior Student
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/13/2008
Posts: 152
|
Is anyone else having a difficult time finding a summer job and actually being hired? Lol. I've applied to so many places this school semester and am constantly looking but I can't find anything or apply for a job that I like but don't hear anything. I don't know why this is though because I do make a good impression and have a good resume. I've kind of been thinking about applying for a job related to telecommunications because those ads are always in the classified & careers daily and I've heard that it pays pretty good money. Has anyone had experience with this job field and if so, was it an okay job? I am worried that I won't be able to buy what I need for university and won't have something productive to do in the summer.
|
|
Rank: Senior Student
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/25/2008
Posts: 53
Location: toronto
|
Apply to Mcdonalds
|
|
Rank: Student Body President
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/5/2008
Posts: 1,814
Location: Wilfrid Laurier University
|
What type of job are you looking for? What education do you have? Experience?
-Stringer
|
|
Rank: Senior Student
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/13/2008
Posts: 152
|
I'm just looking for a job either as a sales associate or visual merchandiser/stock associate. I will finish grade 12 in june. The experience I have had includes 1. volunteering at the library 2. delivering water at the hospital 3. working as a cashier at a grocery store 4. working as a stock associate/visual merchandiser at a major retail store (my favourite job of the two). I don't know why this is happening--it's not like I'm applying for jobs that are far from what I have done lol. I constantly check the newspaper for jobs and all I ever find are enumeration (what is that anyways?), telecommunications and fast food which is not something that I want to do.
|
|
Rank: Student Body President
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/4/2008
Posts: 1,213
|
onestep wrote:I'm just looking for a job either as a sales associate or visual merchandiser/stock associate. I will finish grade 12 in june. The experience I have had includes 1. volunteering at the library 2. delivering water at the hospital 3. working as a cashier at a grocery store 4. working as a stock associate/visual merchandiser at a major retail store (my favourite job of the two). I don't know why this is happening--it's not like I'm applying for jobs that are far from what I have done lol. I constantly check the newspaper for jobs and all I ever find are enumeration (what is that anyways?), telecommunications and fast food which is not something that I want to do. why don't you go back to the job as a stock associate that you already had?
|
|
Rank: Senior Student
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/13/2008
Posts: 152
|
Well I was laid off along with many other people. I just don't think it's really an option to be quite honest and either way I wouldn't be comfortable going back there.
|
|
Rank: Student Body President
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/4/2008
Posts: 1,213
|
ah, I see. Well if it makes you feel any better I know a ton of people who have been applying since March and still haven't had responses (and they usually have some experience under their belt) so you're not alone. I'm kicking myself for not applying yet; I just haven't had time. I'd say maybe something you can do is approach smaller businesses since they don't usually get as many applications as the more well known ones. My city has an uptown that has a lot of small, very nice boutiques and i know some of the more obscure ones always have a help wanted sign. The problem is though that because they're so small they'll probably only want to hire one or two people and it depends if you'd be comfortable working in such a close situation with someone you don't know
|
|
Rank: Senior Student
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/13/2008
Posts: 152
|
Thanks for taking the time to comment  It's good knowing that many others are in the same boat that I am in because I felt like I was doing something wrong but unsure of what I was doing. I need a job not just for the financial aspect but also having something to do in the summer. I'm worried that I'll end up doing the same thing which is just hanging out and not doing anything productive. For some people it's great but for others like myself I can't stand not doing anything. The thing is though, many stores in Hamilton are family businesses otherwise I would have applied to some.
|
|
Rank: Senior Student
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/4/2008
Posts: 112
Location: Way East
|
I'm in the same boat! The summer hasn't really hit full swing yet, but last year I had a terrible time getting a job. The summer after grade 10 I spent doing this program where I took employability workshops and whatnot while working, so I thought that would really help me. But no. I applied at every retail store imaginable (from music retailers, to book stores to Staples), clothing stores, restaurants, tourism jobs, call centres, you name it. I didn't find a job until the end of July-beginning of August. I have applied at a bunch of places so far and I have only heard back from one, and they were uninterested because I am leaving for school at the end of the summer and they wanted someone more permanent. It also seems like a lot of the higher paying jobs that are just looking for someone for the summer want someone who has already had a year of university. I just hope to get a job at least by the beginning of July, because I sure lost out on a lot of money by not having a job for most of July, and I need the money even more this summer!
|
|
Rank: Student Body President
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/4/2008
Posts: 1,213
|
ah, well there's always volunteering or signing up for sports. I know what you mean. if i don't have something to do i waste my entire day just sleeping in until the afternoon, watching tv, listening to music, and just generally hanging out and being a parasite on society when my 17 year old self should be doing something productive. I like volunteering personally...it isn't as rigid as a clock in clock out job and you usually pick something you like...i've been volunteering as a reading buddy for a while now (in addition to other things but this is one of my favourite positions) and places always need volunteers so if you don't get a job there's always that to fill your time (and is helpful in filling out other applications as they see how you're willing to spend your free time helping rather than the usual hanging out). Sports are also good because you have fun and you get fit. In the summer I know i usually hate going outside and exercising because of the heat but swimming is something i love and i get reprieve from the heat so that's something else to do. maybe join an indoor house league for soccer if you're into that. and just keep applying. i realize you probably don't want to work fast food or something like that (i agree. i have the same feelings) but if you really want to make money those are positions that are ALWAYS open and though they pay low you could still make quite a bit if you work every day for two months. Personally though i think because you've had two jobs (one of which seems quite interesting) you should be having an easier time finding work. Maybe try to go into the stores and see if you can speak with the manager. I know a few people who were lucky enough to have the manager or whoever's in charge be there when they applied and they got an interview (and then the job) right on the spot.
But you're right a lot of it is luck and who you know, especially in areas where family businesses (and nepotism) dominate. but, keep trying
|
|
Rank: Senior Student
Groups: Member
Joined: 5/16/2008
Posts: 289
Location: Ontario
|
Oh wow. I don't have a job right now, but I've never had trouble before.
Just look up jobs online, drop off some resumes, and usually in less than 4 days I'd have a $14/hour job.
|
|
Rank: Student Council
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/24/2008
Posts: 436
Location: mississauga
|
hey, I know a lot of restaurants are hiring for hostesses and waiters in preparation for the summer.
It also helps if you don't mind starting before your exams, because it gives u a bit of an edge over other applicants.
hmm... you could try applying to be secretarial help in salons and offices, being a painter, there are a lot of odd jobs that people don't think of, since malls probably get way more applicants than needed.
"My parents live in Ohio; I live in the moment." -himym.
|
|
Rank: Senior Student
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/13/2008
Posts: 152
|
Hey, thanks for the suggestions do you know of any places in hamilton that are hiring? That's true, I don't mind working now but it's just hard to find a job lol. I've applied at two different malls and a variety of the stores and libraries. I just didn't expect finding a job to be this difficult.
|
|
Rank: Senior Student
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/5/2008
Posts: 68
Location: Not Ontario!
|
I'm in the same boat, last year I just barely got a job in the middle of July at a manufacturing plant. It sucked horribly working there but it paid very well (10 bucks an hour, 15$ overtime and there was always overtime open) I made a killing off of that job. I made like 3 grand in a week over 2 months. I had to quit due to school starting and the job being 45 minutes away/being tired of the job. Anyone who has worked in a manufacturing plant knows it's the messiest, warmest, most boring job they can work at, hence why the average person quits within a week.
This year, I'm in dire need of a job because I'm in grade 11. I'm trying to find something that I can carry on during school so the last place I wanna go back to is the manufacturing plant because when I worked there I was working 60+ hours a week. I applied at a few places and have heard nothing. I'm trying to avoid retail, mainly because my first job was retail and I didn't last long there because well, yeah. I'm not very great at being nice to ridiculously stupid people. Hopfully I'll find a waitressing job or something at a hotel/camp or anything but retail.
My advice would be to check the newspaper, you'd be surprised how many companies put ads because they can't afford other ways of advertising. They're usually smaller places but they usually pay well because of the lack of employees. Check the jobbank too (jobbank.gc.ca)
|
|
Rank: Student Council
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/5/2008
Posts: 401
Location: Paris, Ontario
|
My boyfriend also had a terrible time finding a job. He began applying back in February. Luckily he also had a fall back job, but he's had this job for the past four summers and wanted something new, and something with better pay. He applied to the two suurounding cities to work for the city doing random stuff ie. Construction, lawncare, park maintenance etc. He was then told that they were no longer hiring because all of the positions had been filled, or people were returning from last year. He then finally got a job at a tire factory, it was a little bit better because he was getting paid $1.50 more, but, hours weren't always assured. Then, just last week, the city of Cambridge called him back for another interview and he got a job! The hours are assured, and it's only through the week. He's very happy, as he will be getting paid $6.50 more than what he was in the previous summers.
You just need to apply EVERYWHERE lol. And do follow up phone calls if they don't call you.
Success is not the key to happiness, happiness is the key to success. If you love what you do in life, you will be a success!!
|
|
Rank: Senior Student
Groups: Member
Joined: 5/16/2008
Posts: 289
Location: Ontario
|
http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/JobResult_en.aspx?CommGrouping=GON004&Sources=JobBank,Government&Student=NoJob list of job vacancies in Hamilton. Can be applied to anywhere, just go to www.jobbank.gc.ca and go from there. It may take a bit of looking, but theres a job there for EVERYONE, and from what I've experienced, if you have the qualifications, you can get just about any job listed there. They're desperate for employees!
|
|
Rank: Frosh
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/4/2008
Posts: 14
|
Don't forget to check out Young Canada Works--they usually have a whole bunch of really awesome jobs! (That's how I got my current summer job!). Also, there's the FSWEP program, which has cool things like working in France at Vimy Ridge And there's also Parks Canada, forest firefighting, tree-planting, etc. Good luck though! I know how frustrating it is! YCW is really awesome though, and I strongly recommend it!
|
|
Rank: Senior Student
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/12/2008
Posts: 176
Location: Owen Sound
|
Rikoprincess wrote:Don't forget to check out Young Canada Works--they usually have a whole bunch of really awesome jobs! (That's how I got my current summer job!). Also, there's the FSWEP program, which has cool things like working in France at Vimy Ridge And there's also Parks Canada, forest firefighting, tree-planting, etc. Good luck though! I know how frustrating it is! YCW is really awesome though, and I strongly recommend it! My boyfriend is (against his ideal) working with Ontario Works again this summer painting houses and makes awesome amounts of money for even a 2-3 hour job ... it makes me quite jealous until I remember that I would probably hate painting houses and would rather go for working in a bookstore of something like that...  I'm sure I'm working at Bluenotes for a while, but I don't know if that will offer many hours in the summer months... so I may keep following up with other places I applied to... or keep on Staples part-time/kinda 'on-call' when they need me.
~~~Ba Honors Political Science @ Carleton University, Ottawa  ~~~
|
|
Rank: Senior Student
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/13/2008
Posts: 152
|
Hey, I actually applied at Bluenotes lol
I kind of want to hand in my resume at staples but I don't know lol
By any chance do you live in Hamilton? lol You sound kind of similar to the person that I was talking to at Bluenotes
|
|
Rank: Senior Student
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/12/2008
Posts: 176
Location: Owen Sound
|
onestep wrote:Hey, I actually applied at Bluenotes lol
I kind of want to hand in my resume at staples but I don't know lol
By any chance do you live in Hamilton? lol You sound kind of similar to the person that I was talking to at Bluenotes -I'm headed for my first shift at Bluenotes at 7 ..wish me luck! -Well.. Staples is good, but I just can't competently handle the sales work and there is too much dust I'm breathing in there. -Nope, Owen Sound, rural-land.
~~~Ba Honors Political Science @ Carleton University, Ottawa ~~~
|
|
