It’s tough trying to find a job when you don’t know where to look or what connections you really have in the business world. It’s even growing even more overwhelming with the access to site likes Craigslists. While most employers are looking for eighteen-and-up graduates, there is still is a few for the youngsters in high school, which is why my suggest is not to completely settle. If you experience back pain, don’t accept a position in dishwashing; you’ll regret that.

Granted, no job is going to be all fun, so don’t wait for that perfect job. Once you have some experience under your belt, it’ll be a lot easier to lock down other jobs. I started as a yard girl pulling weeds and cutting down trees, but I was able to work my way into a new branch and up into the higher money-making jobs. If you really want to be a cook, you should apply for it. If they only offer you a position as a dishwasher, you should still contemplate taking the offer because restaurant staff is always moving around with people being terminated, transferring, and quitting. Chances are you’ll be receive the opportunity to cook at some point (Side note: get on the boss’s good side, so you’re chosen for the position or can talk your way into it). I happened to start as a dishwasher and was promoted to a busser/expediter because my supervisor admired my hard work.

At the time I was only working two days a week, so I wasn’t going to fill any important shoes. In fact, that’s why I looked for a second job for the summer last year. That’s where I learned jobs can present themselves in the weirdest moments. I was grocery shopping with my dad at a favorite fruit stand, and I thought to myself it would be a cool place to work. After asking the manager for a job application, I ended up locking down the job two days later, and it ended up being one of my favorite places to work.

I was lucky to have work experience, so I’m presuming that’s partially how I was gifted that job without even interviewing, but they needed more workers. Especially if businesses are in need of employees, they’ll post it in their windows. In that case, you’ll just need to keep your eyes open when you’re driving in town.

Craigslist is also a tool that is easily accessible (from my experience they’re mostly asking for eighteen-year-old graduates unfortunately).

Connections are always super important, too. Does your neighbor work at a place you want to? A friend? Ask them to put a good word in for you, and then bring your resume in. Hopefully, you’ll get an interview.

A lot of businesses will hold onto your resume and application for a few months after you give it to them, so you always might get a job then as well. Just try applying online or bringing it if you’re in a huge rush.

My best advice is just apply anywhere you think you might enjoy working. You might not get exactly what you wanted, but keep in mind it’s not permanent. You’ll actually end up quitting it pretty soon probably.