Why is it so hard for me to find a job?

Why is it so hard for me to find a first job? What am I doing wrong?

• I'm a 19 year old college student looking for my first job. I've applied everywhere!!! (Walmart, Murphy USA, Chuck E Cheese, Movie Theatres, Walgreens, Lowes, Home Depot, Target, even Mcdonalds) Why hasn't anyone called me back? It's been a month. Most of these applications were completed online. When I would go to places in person they always told me to apply online. What should I do? Where else should I look? What other tips can you give me so I can stand out and land a job? I'm desperate and will work in anything. This is my first job, I have no previous experience and only have one good reference. The only legitimate experience I have is working concessions at high school football games. I just don't understand how I'm not even getting one callback. I know I'm not experienced at all but how hard can it be to be trained! We all got to start somewhere! How in the world are people I see everyday in retail stores with crappy people skills or no experience getting hired and yet not a single place considered me?

• Answer:

  Illegals work very cheaply. They have taken a great deal of manual labor jobs. Those who used to do manual labor now do retail. There are fewer jobs for our young people. There are lots of folks with retail experience competing for those same jobs. They won't hire someone without experience if they can get experienced help. I encourage every young person I know to start working as soon as they can, if they can find anything. Keep trying. Try smaller shops where you can actually talk to the manager. When you pick up an application or drop one off, make sure to look presentable and talk to someone in charge. Use your contacts. You or your parents must know people in a position to give you a job. Contact them. Good luck.