I'm 18, recent high school graduate, can't afford to go to college, and have only had one job in my entire life and that was when I was 16 for about 7 months at a local grocery store. I don't even know where to look. I'm trying not to be too picky considering how bad the economy is but I know for sure I don't want to work in fast food and would prefer not to work in grocery stores/retail, even though I know there's not much else for someone like me. I love animals but I'm not really sure what I can do with that without a college degree. Also I have pretty bad anxiety and pretty much always feel nervous so would rather not work in a super fast paced place. Help please? I'm desperate. I live with my boyfriend now because my parents were going to start making me pay to live with them and I honestly don't have the money and it's nicer not living with them anyway. But one thing that does suck is starving so I'd definitely like to at least make enough to be able to eat.

Getting a job

Getting a job begins with locating and applying for jobs that will advance your career plans. It also involves convincing employers that you are the best applicant for their job openings. The way you apply for a job and present your qualifications can greatly influence an employer's impression of you. Therefore, you should know how to contact employers, how to complete application forms, and how to make a good impression in job interviews. It is also important to know how to write a good resume, or summary of your background and qualifications. All these skills can improve your chances for employment. However, do not be discouraged if you are not offered the first job you apply for. Most employers consider several applicants for each job opening, and many people make a number of applications before being hired.

It means not being picky at all, from cleaning the cages at the animal shelter to wearing a costume and standing by the road waving a sign.

You apply to dozens of places every day, as many as you can, and take any job you can get

Hi, modernromance09!

Yes, it does take a lot of work and effort for anyone to find a job, and at your age, it would be best not to be too picky. So many people who are in the top ranks at the companies for which they work, started at the bottom level in the company and worked their way up.

No matter what you do, if you make yourself indispensable, show self-motivation, friendliness and a desire to be a proactive and positive team member of a company in order to further benefit a company, those traits and qualities are going to be noticed by others so that you'll be able to climb the ladder to success.

Thanks!

You could probably start at a Animal Shelter. They usually take a lot of people with no experience. You could also Volunteer for a while just so that you can get some experience and apply to an animal hospital. You could also apply to animal hospitals that are willing to train you. You have to make sure that you have a GREAT cover letter explaining why you would be the best candidate. Practice interview questions! Sometimes it doesn't matter what a person's qualifications are once the interview comes around. They often choose the person who is more motivated, and more passionate about the job.

What do you mean, you can't afford to go to college?


Go to the library and start looking up "Scholarships", "Grants", and "Loans". Bet you find out that you CAN afford to go to school.

PS--working in fast food or retail while you go to school is probably a good thing, anyway. You'll learn that you don't want a crap job for the rest of your life, and work that much harder to get a degree.

PPS--my sister loves animals too. She couldn't work in an animal shelter or for the humane society because she couldn't stand when people would bring in abused animals, or when they had to put an animal to sleep.

You've gotten a lot of good advice so far.

The biggest thing in your situation is to find A JOB. Look up your local job center, work force center, unemployment center, what ever it may be called for your area. You can speak with counselors there who can assist you in job placement, and get help with everything from job searches to resume writing. They will also help you with job placement and can provide you with job references. These centers are there to serve you, and to my knowledge, all of their services are at NO COST to you. This is a very valuable service for someone starting.

Granted, you may not find a job you want at first, but the most important thing is gainful employment. The paycheck is your current priority.

While you are working, you can spend your free time searching for a job you would prefer to have. You are also have the income to not only keep you from 'starving', but hopefully you can put some into savings in order to buy what you may need when you find the job you want (wardrobe, transportation needs, etc.)

Having A job gives you the luxury of time in finding a better job.

I agree. You have to start somewhere. I also started my first job (off the books) as a sales rep at a clothe store. I hated it, and I only lasted 3months before I quit. I then moved, and somehow scored a job as a office assistant. I didn't enjoy the job either. My next job was a job at an animal hospital as a veterinary assistant/receptionist. My point is, You have to get all the crappy jobs out of the way so that you can get experience for better jobs in the future. School would also help. Some jobs help people pay for school.
Don't be so picky at first!
Good luck!

All good advice. Clough, in particular, hit it on the head with " if you make yourself indispensable, show self-motivation, friendliness and a desire to be a proactive and positive team member of a company in order to further benefit a company, those traits and qualities are going to be noticed by others so that you'll be able to climb the ladder to success." Certainly any good boss (and good fellow workers) will appreciate those traits. As an ex manager I would take moderately skilled (or unskilled but trainable) motivated person, that showed real interest in the job, over a highly skilled but lazy person every time. Also, DO NOT take your personal problems to the job. When at work, worry only about getting the job done.

Good luck. Hang in there.

Thank you so much, FlyYakker! That was very kind of you!