Tips for getting a job when your 17?

NEED HELP GETTING A JOB AT 17 YEARS OLD COULD SOMEONE ANSWER THIS!!!!!!?

• I am 17 years old and I am looking for some type of way to sustain myself when I go away to college as well as help my parents pay for tuition books and to come out of college with the least debt possible. While I understand that this is pretty hard, I am very goal oriented and driven so I will do what ever it takes to complete my goals. Now I know the economy as it slowly improves is opening up more for more jobs, but it is still a bit difficult for a teenager to get a job. I do have plenty of work experience as well as volunteer work, but when I apply for jobs at places target or best buy or sears where they will hire a 17 year old, I get either no reply OR a constant rejection letter!! It will say that minimum age requirement is 16, but then say i'm not age qualified or that I am completely unqualified! Most of my experience is working in an office, (Heaven Knows Kids; my grandmothers developing established company) and 3 different jobs in customer service through summer youth. Should I say that I have no work experience since its with Summer Youth in NY? Should I leave out my grandmothers company since its developing, even though I worked for her for about 2-3 years now??? Any suggestions for getting a job at 17? My mom says I should actually go to the store and apply (I've been applying online), but it seems like a waste of time just to get a rejection letter anyway!

• Answer:

  I would go and apply at the stores if you are able to, some places you have to apply only online, but if you are able to apply at the store go ahead and do so. Also I found that when applying online, most jobs weren't even still hiring, some companies don't update the sites that well. A good site to look for jobs would be your states career sites, the sites they have unemployed people go to, I found they are the best. Also some colleges do offer work study, so maybe check into that. And if they offer it they are really flexible with your schedule. Or you could do online classes or night schools. Oh and after you do apply, if you don't hear anything after a couple of days call the place and check in on your application. And I would list your work experience, because it does show that you have work experience, and shows some skills you may have.