Hey guys, I just turned 16 and what a real job that isn't on my computer. I've never had a job before , all I did was internet stuff that made me about 8k in all since november. Sure it's great money for a kid my age , but I can't apply to university level jobs with some experience online. I owned a world of warcraft server , and also did abit of affiliate marketing with zango and commission junction ( only made 1k with that though ) , the rest is from my wow server. I also sold about 60 ebooks on eBay valued at 10$ each( within 2 weeks ) until I got a 1 year suspension for having multiple accounts( I had made one which I forgot about 3 years ago ) , so yea I made a lil more then 8 grand since november. If I put down on my cv as job experience something like " Network Admin " or " Experience in Online Marketing and Sales " along with some phone numbers of some of the people that payed for items on my server , would they consider it as job experience or just look at it as a feeble attempt to try and convince them I have work experience? I know computers well , basic knowledge of c++ , html , php , pretty good knowledge of mysql. Would they look at these things as " Oh he dealt with many people/clients , wow he's a little entrepreneur at 15" or would they look at it as " What does computers have to do with flipping burgers? " Many of my friends don't get accepted anywhere , heck I know people with job experience of my age and still don't get jobs at Mcdonalds. Should I or shouldn't I give it a shot? Thnx, Mafiaboy
LoL just apply everywhere and one or another give you a call. You gotta start with something like McDonalds or burger king kinda places. I doubt people offline care much about what you have done online. If that was so I could probably make up best resume out there with contacts like Cnn, digg and all the others.. Someone who has a store might know more...
Where are you applying? Mcdonalds? Put down that you successfully worked freelance in online marketing and sales, dealing with lots of clients (name a few if they ask in the interview). But really, it shouldn't be hard to get a job at Mcdonalds.
Tart it up so you conceal everything in a suit of professionalism. For example, you had a World of Warcraft server, which means you Traded Virtual Commodities. If they ask questions say something complicated but kind of the truth as they don't need to know much more, only how it's helped you with your experience and skillset. As a side note, you're probably making a mistake. I got a job in retail one day because it seemed pretty cool, but I quit after 4 days because it was boring. Also, why the hell are you going for McDonalds, I got one of the best jobs in one of the best retail stores in the UK and I've never worked before... use your initiative and you'll find something better.
At 16 yo, you should be schooling, get as much knowledge and cert as possible and not out there working, you will regret 10 years down the road.
Wow, and I thought I was pushing my self too much for not working until I was 21, oh well I did enjoy those 5 extra years getting drunk and having parties every day.
I guess your right there. It must just be the exam or extensive assignment periods that have 1/2 as much partying.
True that! I've just finished my work (well the coursework anyway, got an exam and a presentation next week and thats me off for summer). Just finished it about 10mins ago, it's to be in for tomorow, so thats good
I second that. I was in the same boat as you when I was 16. I finished school a few months early, and had 5 months off as summer vacation, and my choice was to get a job or go to something like a "summer school" that my school was offering so I could keep studying. I didn't want to do either. I was making $100 every day on eBay. My suggestion is that if you HAVE to do something in the "off-line world" see if you can apply for an internship, or maybe just a small part time job. Those will look good on a college application. But if you're just doing this because you or others feel like you need a "real" job, and that you simply spend too much time on the internet, forget that. You're obviously doing something right if you're 16 and made 8k in a few months.
With this kind of base experience behind you, why do you want to go out and get a real-world job? Seems you could build on what you've already done and take it further. I now work full time in e-marketing with MMORPGs, so there's definitely stuff out there for your experience. Drop me a PM or catch me on MSN if you want to know more.
go to monster.com and look for tips on writing resume. They have detail on how to write a prefect resume
Before doing all this, first make sure, you finish your education with a graduate degree or post graduate degree.
I was exactly the same as you. The first job I went for I was given. I had said I worked online but had never had an offline job. In a job like they'll give you training, they wont expect loads of experience at your age. Many 16 year olds have never had a job before. The online work with programming etc will make you look intelligent and they'll be happy to hire you. It worked for me
KK a few things I need to clarify ( by the way thank you so much for you comments ) - I want a job so i have a offline job experience when applying to bigger jobs which require uni degrees. The money sucks I know . - Mcdonald's was just a example , I would hate to work there. - I live in Montreal , It's a city of business and it's overpopulated , I need as much stuff on my cv as possible , many of my friends have applied to 10+ places and never got a job. Thnx for your comments, continue please.