Looking for jobs sucks.

"55Buick, Oversteer Scientist" (55Buick)
06/22/2015 at 21:20 • Filed to: Arrrrgh!

I’m 16, so nobody wants to hire me. I’m sure I could get a job at safeway or CVS or something, but I want to work with cars. I asked at a Rolls-Royce restoration shop, but their insurance won’t cover anyone less than 18. Otherwise they’d hire me, they said. Dealerships won’t reply to me because I’m 16. Does anybody know where can I work on/with/around cars in the SF Bay Area as a teenager?

Here’s a nice S6 I saw the other day...

DISCUSSION (28)

Nibby > 55Buick, Oversteer Scientist
06/22/2015 at 21:24

I feel your pain. I’m 8 years older than you and I understand all the frustration you’re going through right now. Good luck! Hang in there, kiddo.

stuttgartobsessed > 55Buick, Oversteer Scientist
06/22/2015 at 21:25

Have you tried any of the independent Alfa shops in Berkeley?

Or just going is a like a shop cleaner person/apprentice?

Because Racecar > 55Buick, Oversteer Scientist
06/22/2015 at 21:25

Not really cars, but if you can find a place that does repairs on stuff like mowers, tractors, and ATV’s you’d be on the right track. Also look around for landscaping companies looking for mechanics.

SaveTheIntegras > 55Buick, Oversteer Scientist
06/22/2015 at 21:27

have you tried independent shops? Been there, done that..it all gets better my man

Good luck

MM54 > 55Buick, Oversteer Scientist
06/22/2015 at 21:28

Parts store until you’re 18? Just a thought.

That, or just keep trying. You’re bound to find something, eventually.

Berang > 55Buick, Oversteer Scientist
06/22/2015 at 21:29

Finding a job before you’re 18 is basically impossible. Even at a drugstore or a grocery store. People don’t want to hire you because of insurance reasons, restrictions on hours you can work, what equipment you’re allowed to handle, etc. If you can get any sort of job, at all - you’re pretty lucky.

Maybe if you’re lucky, there’s a car lot that will let you help wash/detail cars or something like that. That’s probably all the liability they would care to deal with for somebody under 18. Or possibly in a parts department looking up parts for customers - but you don’t have any experience so that’d be unlikely too.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > 55Buick, Oversteer Scientist
06/22/2015 at 21:30

Hey there! I’m 17. Let me tell you I went through the SAME struggle. Put simply, unless you can end up at a kinda sketchy buy here pay here lot, you won’t be hired younger than 18. Any bigger dealership can’t...

I’m currently a server at a busy restaurant. Good money and itll hold me over until Im 18.

I did actually get offered a job at one of those quick lube Valvoline places... but the pay wasn’t enough. YMMV

Sorry I know its not what you want to hear.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > 55Buick, Oversteer Scientist
06/22/2015 at 21:30

Pro tip: don’t study architecture...

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > 55Buick, Oversteer Scientist
06/22/2015 at 21:33

Jiffy Lube. I don’t know what age they require, but otherwise, a pulse is about all you need.

55Buick, Oversteer Scientist > Berang
06/22/2015 at 21:48

I hope I can get a job at a parts place. Some of my friends have gotten jobs at safeway, and I may apply there too, but I’d much rather work with cars! We’ll see how that turns out...

traderQAMobileTestAutomationMobileBoostOn > Berang
06/22/2015 at 21:48

Well, . I’m 16 looking for a part-time job too. I’ve applied for Harris Teeter and O’Reillys but neither have responded.

55Buick, Oversteer Scientist > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/22/2015 at 21:49

At this point, anything is better than nothing. Here's to hoping for a major stroke if luck!

55Buick, Oversteer Scientist > Because Racecar
06/22/2015 at 21:49

Anything mechanical would be really nice. I'll have to see if there are any of those places around here

ViperGuy21 > 55Buick, Oversteer Scientist
06/22/2015 at 21:50

I’m 16 too! I’m lucky enough that I get to just work for my dad(not cars, but mech./electrical). I’m doing some detailing on the side as well since I’m a bit of a detailing nerd.

This fall I will be looking for a real job once my senior year of marching band is over. I will be 17 then, but that’s obviously still under 18...

My friend got a job as a delivery driver for NAPA this last year. He was 18, but it’s worth a shot..

Good luck to you my friend!

55Buick, Oversteer Scientist > stuttgartobsessed
06/22/2015 at 21:50

Berkeley is a little far, but there are some small independent shops near me. I'll go check them out!

55Buick, Oversteer Scientist > MM54
06/22/2015 at 21:50

I hope so...

55Buick, Oversteer Scientist > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
06/22/2015 at 21:51

Hahahaha! It's worth a shot, there's one really close by and I hadn't even remembered it existed!

55Buick, Oversteer Scientist > SaveTheIntegras
06/22/2015 at 21:52

Thanks! And I've tried some shops, but there's always more to try

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > 55Buick, Oversteer Scientist
06/22/2015 at 21:55

Yeah, it sucks. Trust me, I know the feels. I’ve been fortunate to get my current job (washing cars and moving them at a dealership) only a week after I got laid off at my first one. Just keep handing in apps, act natural, kiss some ass if you need to, and you’ll find one.

If you want to work with cars, check dealerships (small and large), car washes, and independent shops. Parts stores could also be a possibility, but the ones around me wouldn’t hire below 18.

samssun > 55Buick, Oversteer Scientist
06/22/2015 at 22:18

Become a waiter. You will make a ton more cash with which to do car things.

911e46z06 > 55Buick, Oversteer Scientist
06/22/2015 at 22:48

I swept the floors and washed cars at a German car repair place when I was 17. Got to drive some pretty cool stuff. 944 Turbo, Viper RT/10, Bimmer 750. Good times.

wafflesnfalafel > 55Buick, Oversteer Scientist
06/22/2015 at 22:50

yeah... I started at a grocery store for the same reason. Go bag and stock the hell out of it for 18 months, (parts of it were kinda fun,) then go job shopping again. Hell, if you are lucky you can play with those motorized pallet jacks and the big hydraulic cardboard squisher.

f86sabre > 55Buick, Oversteer Scientist
06/22/2015 at 23:02

Try and FBO at a small airport. You never know.

Grindintosecond > 55Buick, Oversteer Scientist
06/22/2015 at 23:39

I hate to say this but it’s a common problem. Job’s don’t exist for 16-18 year olds like they used to but especially jobs they want to do are non-existent. This is because of something Mike Rowe touched on when asked about a big minimum wage being fair. He said something very poignant. The first job. The entry level part-time job. This is where you will learn for the very first time ever in your life how to truly deal with people-customers, bosses, problematic co-workers, etc. Learning really good customer service is a HUGE skill that has been lost over time. Especially when some of that equipment is being replaced with machines. Have you seen the touch screen ordering device at a fast food restaurant? Nobody has to say hi or ask you things. They just shout out a number and slide the tray to you without a greeting. Hows anyone going to learn anything from that? I’m digressing. If you eventually want to work with cars and do well there, the customer will want you to be a good service provider...personal service, not just fix his broke crap.

Everyone wants that cool job, but right now isn’t a time to be specific. Get any job NOW and then when you get that better job a month or two later, then go for that one. Don’t worry about jumping from job to job. No one cares about that until way later when you’re trying to piece together a good resume of REAL jobs that matter later on. Work a grocery store. You’re 16. It’s money. Work tables. Do really good and the tips will be really good. One of the few jobs where i tip big if the service is deserving.

There are a tremendous amount of college graduates that are hitting big depressive issues right now because they aren’t getting that $100k job immediately after graduating. They forgot they have to start somewhere and work up to that job. So it’s best to learn how to deal with the horrible customer and horrible boss right now than at 25.

That’s kind of all I have from a perspective of having lived through that, and worked into my career. Oh yeah, don’t do architecture and don’t become a pilot unless someone else totally pays for it. Volunteer at places and get involved in the community. Aparently HR departments are looking fro people who do more than just show up and work and go home so get involved in that so when youre done with college you have a history to show them of doing more than just slaving.

55Buick, Oversteer Scientist > Grindintosecond
06/23/2015 at 00:43

Great advice, thank you so much! My dad just told me the same thing- I shouldn't worry about getting a perfect job now, but any job is better than no job.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > 55Buick, Oversteer Scientist
06/23/2015 at 11:33

I’d like to learn how this works out for you. I mentioned you to a friend who owns a repair shop in San Lorenzo. He’s got a helper now who is nearing the ropes. Drop me an email if you like and we can keep in touch: oliphant.chuckerbutty@gmail.com

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > 55Buick, Oversteer Scientist
06/23/2015 at 11:33

And yes, looking for jobs is the absolute pits.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > 55Buick, Oversteer Scientist
06/24/2015 at 08:46

You’re basically limited to “friends and family” companies these days at your age.

Alternately, as a way to pick up some extra cash, do something yourself like picking garbage for scrap. Sounds bad, but the money isn’t. A guy I know talked to someone doing just that, who actually turned out to be a uni professor, who said he could make $200 a night if he picked the right areas.