Teenage boy looking for how to get a job tips

I didnt get much help with my last post because i know most of you shovel snow or mow lawns and that is not available here so me and my friend put up fliers for window washing 3 weeks ago and not one has called us this economy sucks and we are doing it for a reasonable price too

P.S. i got a request for a work permit today at school and my dad and i are going around talking to managers for work at like mcdonalds, carls jr, grocery stores, liquor stores, ice cream/ yogurt shops and smoothie shops  

That's good. Well California is getting close to legalizing Marajuana. You could start a little munchy food delivery service, just put out flyers of your number and menu in the area, once that bills passes, your phone will blow up, literally.

Not joking either, you will make BANK!  
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Arizona

(2001 YZ 250F)
(2002 YZ 125)
"Live every week, like it's Shark Week"

how about flea markets?i used to work the weekends,made pretty good cash for a 13yr old.  
---------------- different toilet,same ***

The diners or mom/pop restaurants are better places to work than Mcfranchises IMO.  At age 15 I worked after school at a local cafe, that only served breakfast and lunch, so they were closed when I got there to do the cleaning.  Then I started washing dishes/bussing tables on weekends, and because I helped all the waitresses with their tables they shared their tip income with me.  

The fact that you don't own a lawn mower should not deter you.  I bought an old used cement mixer ($175.00) when I was 15, and used it to mix mortar for building natural stone walls in my neighborhood.  I didn't have a car or even a drivers license at the time, but managed to get it around to different jobs.  That old mixer lasted me 17 years, made a ton of money for me.  I sold it when I moved to Montana for $350.00 LOL.  I was buying tools every time I got a little money ahead, so by the time I was 19 I was well-equipped to start my own company.  I took the California contractors license test for masonry and concrete and passed, and that was all before I was 20.    

For anyone who is interested (sorry the rest of you have to read this) I had a lot of irons in the fire during my high school years.  Of course there were the three summers of working as a masons tender earning my apprenticeship to become a licensed contractor.  I earned a scholarship to college, but never finalized a degree or graduated.  I went to film school at USC and dabbled in writing film scripts for a while (someday I intend to see one of my screen plays become a movie).  I worked as a writer for our small local newspaper, writing about local businesses who happened to advertise in the paper LOL.    I was the night/graveyard chef for a restaurant for two years, ran my masonry business, opened and operated a mexican food restaurant, designed and drew house plans for a developer, LOL.  There were even more opportunities than I had a lifetime for!  I have always pursued what I thought would be fun things, and enjoyed all of these things, while making money besides.  I have employed hundreds of people over the years, many of those employees have become my friends.  I have become friends with many of my employers as well, even the couple who owned the restaurant where I worked as a dishwasher when I was a teenager.  

For me, work has always been about having fun more than making money, but of course I need the money LOL.  I think you should strive to do something you will enjoy doing, even if it means a little less income than some other job.  Here I am turning 50 this year, and I LOVE to go to work each day (for the most part).  I have bad clients from time to time that make me want to throw in the towel, but the good ones more than make up for those.

I've got a proposition for you:  Come up with an idea and pm me with it.  If I like your plan and can swing it, I'll front you some money to get you started...
It doesn't need to be a polished business plan or anything, just an idea...  
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NW Montana
Where the pavement ends and the fun begins  
2005 KTM300exc

I agree with Paul,

My youngest son got a job at a local diner as a dishwasher; he almost has his YZ-125 paid off (2008 model, bought new).  They work around his school and church schedule.

Besides that, when putting in applications or going for an interview; just come across as eager and willing.  Its true that the interviewer will make up their minds in the first 5-10 minutes.  If you don't know how to do something or have a skill they ask for; be honest but say you are willing to try and learn.  
.
Dave H 2006 YZ250
(2008 YZ 125 son)

dirtbikechad you have the right idea about your work permit.  if you want to try and get more business with your window washing then you need to identify the best places to put up your fliers.  also go into privately owned stores and ask them if they are in need or your services.  even going to a parents place of work and asking if they need their windows washed isn't a bad way to go.  my buddy did this all through out his high school years and made some decent money.  

PaulB nailed it....

Many moons ago both myself and my brother worked for the same
eatery in upstate NY (family owned). Made enough money for my Yamy RD250....
He worked there several years (before college) and they
taught him quite a bit about cooking...God speed....  
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Jim O
Clermont, FL
2006 CRF250R

dirtoffurshoulder:
dirtbikechad you have the right idea about your work permit.  if you want to try and get more business with your window washing then you need to identify the best places to put up your fliers.  also go into privately owned stores and ask them if they are in need or your services.  even going to a parents place of work and asking if they need their windows washed isn't a bad way to go.  my buddy did this all through out his high school years and made some decent money.

Any buisness that hires a non insured (teenage) window cleaner is making a mistake. There is isurance involved in any buisness and should not be taken lightly. To do a private residential may be a different story but you are still taking a risk to do it privatly and uninsured.

I own a window cleaning company so I know all about what can and will go wrong. I am not trying to disappoint here just trying to warn of the hazards that may arise. To be a "bucket Bob" (individual, unisured, pay no taxes), as I call them also hurts the legit buisnesses whether you realize it or not.

These days people sue for the simplest of reasons. Food for thought?  
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"These are the things that condition the man, seldom shown the ways to understand"

sorry double post.  
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"These are the things that condition the man, seldom shown the ways to understand"

can you work at a liquor store? Where I live you have to be 21 or older to work at one. Just curious.    

Finding a job in this economy call be a challenge, especially your first job.
I might just have some helpful hints seeing I am bald, middle aged and am a GM of a private club in the service industry.  I hire kids for summer jobs and here are some of the dos and don'ts

Don't have your DAD reach out- Unless he can get you a spot with the family friend or a buddy. You are the potential employee not your Dad.

Do- stop by the potential job in person, find out who is in charge and make it a point to reach out and meet that person, in person eye to eye. Be persistant...be a bit of a pest. try try again and you will catch him in a good mood.

Don't give up- Follow your interest. If you were interested in, lets see ummm MOTORCYCLES, then apply a motorcycle shop. People who share the same passion like to mentor kids that remind them of themselves.

Have confidence in your skills...skills that you are ready to learn from this employer

Check with your school guidance or teacher...chances are they can help.

Good luck and hang in....its the ride of your life  
bald as a bean..old as your dad..but rides like a fool