Summer Job Advice- - RC-Monster Forums

rawfuls · **Summer Job Advice- -** 06.20.2010, 02:49 AM

Sooo it's summer, and I don't want to be bored out of my mind like I was last year, and kinda want some money.

My parents.. friends...family.. are all pressuring me to try and get a job with some computer repair business, seeing as I'm quite good with computers. Sure, I don't know binary nor hexadecimal, nor do I have any certifications (Actually gonna try and take an A+ course sometime next year), but still, wanna give computer repair a try this summer.

So basically, I was on Word, trying to brainstorm a resume to send to a couple companies around my area, to see if first, they'll hire a young kid like me (15 years old, birthday is Jan 3. So 16 will be in around 6 more months), then what they're looking for, and lastly how I would perform on the job.

So I was at an end, trying to think of something to say, since I'm still a Sophmore in High School starting August, and haven't really been taking any computer courses.

So now I need help.
What should I put on the "resume", what should I say, and how should I say it all? I'm trying to do it as something to do in my freetime (but you should never say that at a job interview, so I've heard), but I also wanna major in Computer Hardware/Science in college.

I'm mostly a hardware guy (screw coding!

), where I build computers, replace components, repair, diagnose, etc. and don't want a software job.

Any help is appreciated!

Obeast44 · 06.20.2010, 04:36 AM

IMO enjoy your summer vacation. I dont mean this to sound the wrong way, but I will try anyways. Your still a kid, enjoy yourself. Its gonna be one of the last summers youll have off. Now im not saying be a mooch and sleep til lunch everyday, but dont try and get a fulltime job either. Mow a lawn or two a week or something similar for some spending money. Hang out with friends, do some RCing and relax. You have your whole life ahead of you, dont be too eager to grow up :)
Although I do applaud your eagerness to become self sufficient.

06.20.2010, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obeast44

IMO enjoy your summer vacation. I dont mean this to sound the wrong way, but I will try anyways. Your still a kid, enjoy yourself. Its gonna be one of the last summers youll have off. Now im not saying be a mooch and sleep til lunch everyday, but dont try and get a fulltime job either. Mow a lawn or two a week or something similar for some spending money. Hang out with friends, do some RCing and relax. You have your whole life ahead of you, dont be too eager to grow up :)
Although I do applaud your eagerness to become self sufficient.

+1

I've worked for about half a year when I was 15, I did get a good job + they paid well. Right now(turned 17 last week), I'm so happy I DON'T have any work! I'm spending LOTS of money and enjoy my life! It's awesome! You should do that too lol

And if you REALLY REALLY REALLY want a job, do something you really like and it should also pay very well.

Bondonutz · 06.20.2010, 10:29 AM

I know having your own money would be awesome and all but don't be so eager to break what barely dropped a short time ago ?
While I admire your drive to work so young, you have plenty of time for that soon enough. You have time yet to still act and do stuff like a kid yet, dont spoil that. In a handfull of years you'll be locked down with a mortgage, car payment, screaming booger factorys for children of your own and a nagging wife soon enough.
I went to work PT at 14 after school till I graduated, I missed a lot of good times I'll never get back.

rawfuls · 06.20.2010, 10:32 AM

While I know what you're all saying, it's not really me trying to get the job, rather my parents wanting me to get a job, I guess they're tired seeing my presence around during summer, even though I do go out quite a bit..

Bondonutz · 06.20.2010, 10:45 AM

Do you do "everything" your parents ask of you ? I didn't think so.

Tell them you have my permission to be a bum for one more summer.

rawfuls · 06.20.2010, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bondonutz

Do you do "everything" your parents ask of you ? I didn't think so.

Tell them you have my permission to be a bum for one more summer.

Very true....
But you see, Asian parents aren't...normal parents.

They say something you kinda have to end up doing it..

TexasSP · 06.20.2010, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawfuls

Very true....
But you see, Asian parents aren't...normal parents.

They say something you kinda have to end up doing it..

I understand this as I have a lot of Asian friends. It's good though as Asian parents tend to be more old school and raise their kids to have more respect. It leads you to a much more disciplined and successful lifestyle.

TexasSP · 06.20.2010, 11:36 AM

Nothing wrong with getting a summer job and a good way to earn money towards a car or whatever. Really, sitting around all summer doing jack has to get boring and if you are going to be doing something why not get paid?

I own an IT support business and would have a hard time hiring a teenager to work for me both from my end and the customer end.

However why not try a golf course or something that keeps you outdoors? Landscaping companies always need extra summer help too and also tend to pay better than say a fast food restaurant.

The only way I see the computer repair working is for you to freelance out to people you know. You don't need to know binary of hex as most people in IT do not. Get some business cards made and have your parents help get them passed around to their friends and what not. Since they want you to work enlist their help.

rawfuls · 06.20.2010, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasSP

Nothing wrong with getting a summer job and a good way to earn money towards a car or whatever. Really, sitting around all summer doing jack has to get boring and if you are going to be doing something why not get paid?

I own an IT support business and would have a hard time hiring a teenager to work for me both from my end and the customer end.

However why not try a golf course or something that keeps you outdoors? Landscaping companies always need extra summer help too and also tend to pay better than say a fast food restaurant.

The only way I see the computer repair working is for you to freelance out to people you know. You don't need to know binary of hex as most people in IT do not. Get some business cards made and have your parents help get them passed around to their friends and what not. Since they want you to work enlist their help.

Hmm, golf course, I'll see if I can find any around here, I know there are a few country clubs, don't know about those though..

As far as the freelancing, I'm doing that right now, not many people are coming to me, since I'm mainly just doing friends.

Since my actual number is on the card, I feel worried about passing the cards out to random people, don't need any midnight Harold calls..

Had I waited a month or so (I got 500 cards for shipping price), I could've put my google voice number on the card, and had no matter passing them out..

Til they have another promo, I'm mostly passing the cards out to my friends, that I know aren't gonna sign me up for something...enjoyable.

JThiessen · 06.20.2010, 01:06 PM

Dont worry about the resume. At 15, nobody is going to expect you to have one, or expect you to have any experience. Just go knock on some doors and ask if they might be interersted in hiring a part time summer employee.

rchippie · 06.20.2010, 01:28 PM

I mowed yards, to get money when i was your age.

rawfuls · 06.20.2010, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rchippie

I mowed yards, to get money when i was your age.

Except everyone has a few gardeners these days..

rawfuls · 06.20.2010, 01:27 PM

I made one, just kicks, we'll see.
I'm waiting for a few more revisions, but here's what I have so far:
I know, not exactly job-specific, tossed in some extracurricular activities to help fill the bottom part-ish.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4338252/rawfuls%20Resume.docx

Finnster · 06.20.2010, 05:12 PM

IDK about the computer repair biz, at least if you are looking to get a decent and reliable income stream coming and rather quickly. Not saying don't do it, just don't expect to greatly take-off.

I think mowing lawns is about the best thing you can do. Its all in cash (so no taxes), its easy to make a good deal of money for the time invested, and it gets you outside. Something easy to knockout in the mornings while its cool and have your day later on.

If some people already have lawn service, try to outbid them. If its pros, then they will have to charge a pretty good amount to cover costs and make a decent wage. Youdont need a lot of lawns to do either. Even if you can do 10 lawns a week @ $20, that's $200 in your pocket for maybe 10-15hrs of work. Not bad at all for a 15 yo.