Life.

Sorry to hear you feeling so down Jack.
Serious suggestion, have you thought about the armed services?
You say you have an intrest in fitness, well every unit in the army has its own fitness staff. You can't join up as a fitness instructor, i think you need to be in for at least 18 mths, but hey thats less time than going to college for a qualification that means something, and your getting paid in the meantime for doing something thats respected and important.
Just a thought mate.
Good luck to you whatever you choose to do though. :thup:
 
Sorry to hear you feeling so down Jack.
Serious suggestion, have you thought about the armed services?
You say you have an intrest in fitness, well every unit in the army has its own fitness staff. You can't join up as a fitness instructor, i think you need to be in for at least 18 mths, but hey thats less time than going to college for a qualification that means something, and your getting paid in the meantime for doing something thats respected and important.
Just a thought mate.
Good luck to you whatever you choose to do though. :thup:

Thanks for the response. Vaguely looked into it yeah, as much as it does seem kinda cool there's always something that's put me off of the Army. Although training their fitness levels is probably completely different! Thanks for the suggestion.
Out of curiosity what type of job do you have?
 
Jack,

At 18 I had two jobs, one as a barman (I had a ball for 3 years) and one as a steward at a football ground (this pays very, very well now so maybe contact Brighton).

At 18, there aren't many other 'solid' jobs that you could get then and expect its similar now, aside from working in retail/restaurants.

At 19 I had 3 jobs, the above 2 and a third, contracted, in a warehouse simply picking clothes from the racks for a catalogue shop. I had to get up at 6am after working in the bar having been partying afterwards until 3am most weekends. I did it.

At 19, I was still doing all this because I wanted pennies in my pocket and to be able to enjoy myself. So I took any hours i could for whatever it was I was offered.

Because of my drive for work the football club offered me more hours doing other things on £2.50 p/h.... That was 'only' 17 years ago.

I knew I was being taken for granted but I knew that what I was doing was important for me and my attitude to the rest of my life. And I loved the job I was doing.

When I was 21, my mother died (my father died when I was 1yr old) so all of a sudden I became alone. My elder brother (who had moved out) simply wanted me to sell the house so he could pee his half up against the wall. I sold half to him and took on a mortgage (on £2.50 p/h) and kept my bar work going. My brother pee'd his half against the wall within 1 year.

Where am I now...

At 38 I own two houses (nothing spectacular!) and am currently driving a 13 plate Golf. I've never wanted for anything in my life (aside from a friskier missus :D) and I can happily and proudly say that I've worked for everything I've got and will get (unless the proverbial bus gets me first!).

But more importantly, the £2.50 p/h job I got evolved into my career. And without wishing to sound like I'm up mi own backside, I'm regarded now as an 'expert in my field' and respected amongst my counterparts. It makes it all the more sweeter that I'm involved in an industry at a senior level that many, many people would love to be in.

Quite simply Jack, you have to start somewhere mate. You'll hate things and you'll love things. Don't take for granted the things you love and do give 100% for the the things you hate. Eventually you'll get your reward but its up to you to find it.

There are jobs out there and plenty of em. It's a character reference in itself in keeping at it and keeping positive.

I posted all this because to see an 18yr old write that isn't good. You've only had pubes 5 yrs max so 'life' has only just begun. Take your own advice, ditch the defeatist attitude and get out there knocking on doors. Hard work will pay off!

Good luck.
 
Jack
Can I tell you a story of a young man I know.
He wanted to be a golf pro so he took a job as a dogsbody at his local Muni.
He worked hard, improved his golf and got offered a job as an assistant.
He spent 3 years going through his PGA exams and decided to go into coaching, mainly as he knew he would never make it as a tour Pro.
He worked long hours and studied hard, in the meantime he married and bought a house
He was one of 5 Pro's working at a busy courses and range. he would work twice as hard and socialise half as much as his colleagues.
He got offered a Pro's job at a bog standard course and worked hard to build it up.
This got noticed and he was then offered the club pro job at a superb new facility.
In the meantime he had built a strong reputation as a coach and started coaching at County and regional levels.
He is now recognised as one of the UK's top coaches and charges accordingly.

It is not rocket science just hard work, and belief.

Most of his colleagues lacked the 'hard work' bit.
 
Thanks for the response. Vaguely looked into it yeah, as much as it does seem kinda cool there's always something that's put me off of the Army. Although training their fitness levels is probably completely different! Thanks for the suggestion.
Out of curiosity what type of job do you have?

No problem mate.
I've done alsorts over the years, from cowman to bar manager.
Jobwise the most sensible decision i ever made was to take my hgv more than 20 yrs ago. Because of that license i've never been out of work, infact thats what i'am doing at the moment. I'd never claim to love driving, but needs must.
We all have dreams of that perfect job Jack, mine would be a country ranger, but life has a nasty habit of getting in the way. As others have already said, the best thing you could do is just get a job, any job. You never know what doors will open when you're out there earning.
I don't want to come across as preaching, thats the last thing you want, but the fact is mate, nowt will ever happen (bad or good) while your still at home doing nowt.
As Odvan says, get out there son. :thup:
 
Jack,

At 18 I had two jobs, one as a barman (I had a ball for 3 years) and one as a steward at a football ground (this pays very, very well now so maybe contact Brighton).

At 18, there aren't many other 'solid' jobs that you could get then and expect its similar now, aside from working in retail/restaurants.

At 19 I had 3 jobs, the above 2 and a third, contracted, in a warehouse simply picking clothes from the racks for a catalogue shop. I had to get up at 6am after working in the bar having been partying afterwards until 3am most weekends. I did it.

At 19, I was still doing all this because I wanted pennies in my pocket and to be able to enjoy myself. So I took any hours i could for whatever it was I was offered.

Because of my drive for work the football club offered me more hours doing other things on £2.50 p/h.... That was 'only' 17 years ago.

I knew I was being taken for granted but I knew that what I was doing was important for me and my attitude to the rest of my life. And I loved the job I was doing.

When I was 21, my mother died (my father died when I was 1yr old) so all of a sudden I became alone. My elder brother (who had moved out) simply wanted me to sell the house so he could pee his half up against the wall. I sold half to him and took on a mortgage (on £2.50 p/h) and kept my bar work going. My brother pee'd his half against the wall within 1 year.

Where am I now...

At 38 I own two houses (nothing spectacular!) and am currently driving a 13 plate Golf. I've never wanted for anything in my life (aside from a friskier missus :D) and I can happily and proudly say that I've worked for everything I've got and will get (unless the proverbial bus gets me first!).

But more importantly, the £2.50 p/h job I got evolved into my career. And without wishing to sound like I'm up mi own backside, I'm regarded now as an 'expert in my field' and respected amongst my counterparts. It makes it all the more sweeter that I'm involved in an industry at a senior level that many, many people would love to be in.

Quite simply Jack, you have to start somewhere mate. You'll hate things and you'll love things. Don't take for granted the things you love and do give 100% for the the things you hate. Eventually you'll get your reward but its up to you to find it.

There are jobs out there and plenty of em. It's a character reference in itself in keeping at it and keeping positive.

I posted all this because to see an 18yr old write that isn't good. You've only had pubes 5 yrs max so 'life' has only just begun. Take your own advice, ditch the defeatist attitude and get out there knocking on doors. Hard work will pay off!

Good luck.

Inspiring story, I feel I relate to you with the mindset it's just thinking about it I kinda seem anxious about just going ahead and getting any job? I don't know whether that's normal or not?
It just seems like everyone around me my age who's employed only has their jobs because they knew someone who got them it. There's only one person who I know who went out and got theirs and he's a delivery driver, the only reason he has that is because he drives which was all given to him (don't even getting me started on the driving costs of my age!) but yeah, who knows maybe times have kinda changed. Although your work ethic is impressive. And I know it's not good to feel like this at a young age I just do, although I really do appreciate the simple things in life and don't want much either!
Thanks for the reply though, puts things into perspective.
 
No problem mate.
I've done alsorts over the years, from cowman to bar manager.
Jobwise the most sensible decision i ever made was to take my hgv more than 20 yrs ago. Because of that license i've never been out of work, infact thats what i'am doing at the moment. I'd never claim to love driving, but needs must.
We all have dreams of that perfect job Jack, mine would be a country ranger, but life has a nasty habit of getting in the way. As others have already said, the best thing you could do is just get a job, any job. You never know what doors will open when you're out there earning.
I don't want to come across as preaching, thats the last thing you want, but the fact is mate, nowt will ever happen (bad or good) while your still at home doing nowt.
As Odvan says, get out there son. :thup:

Ahh I see, I was thinking about doing an SIA license at some point because there always seems to be security work about. Yeah I guess I need to get in reality more. Thanks for helping though mate, there's no other way to put it other than preaching to be honest with you!
 
BPM

Interestingly part of my old job used to be to manage a team of parks and country rangers and I can assure you that it is far from the ideal job.
The parks guys had to deal with druggies, perverts, vandals and all sorts of morons as well as the 'nice' parts of the job.
The country rangers also had to deal with those types of clients but a lot of their time was spent early opening and late closing of 'country' facilities.
Another example would be the Loch Lomond rangers have to deal with quite aggressive campers as wild camping is banned within the national park. Leads to buckfast fueled 'campers' wishing to take their heads off!!

Careful for what you wish for
 
The parks guys had to deal with druggies, perverts, vandals and all sorts of morons as well as the 'nice' parts of the job.

LOL This bit sounds like being back in the pub. :eek:
I know what your saying though. Many moons ago when i left school and went to Agricultural college, one of my work placements was with a ranger for 3 mths. We saw some sights even back then. :o
It was just one of them jobs that seamed to klick with my psyche, if you no what i mean.:confused:
Still, as you say, some dreams may be best left unfulfilled.
 
Always saddens me to hear someone so young ,so down ,
Jack people may have said stuff like this to u before but your health is most important
Your mental health is vital ,do some voluntary work or something
This will change your outlook in life , having a positive attitude gives people a positive
view of you, keep positive kiddo life is good ,when your down always remember that
 
Gonna be harsh now but you have no credible reason to relate to my mindset at the same age. Your reply is the reason why.

'Just Do It'.

Jack, how many managers at McDonalds started working there at a young age doing the job that no 'trendy teen' wants to be seen to be doing. Those trendy teens have, and forgive me for the bad pun, chips on their shoulders. Those that didn't now have careers that they can expand into other areas and probably started by mopping a floor. The trendy teens in my eyes are the ones who ignored peer pressure and went shoving fries in fat.

Working is normal. Working with strangers is normal...at first. They're not strangers after a few days.

I'm surprised you'd caveat "any job" with a question mark. I appreciate it can be a nervous time but if you expect your first job to be one you'll love and be well paid in then I'd suggest you renew your Xbox live membership and fester on ya backside playing games and say goodbye to a nice girl and decent clothes.

One thing I didn't mention earlier was that at 23, I had my first child. He's now 14. He doesn't get spends but every 6 months he gets a spanking new pair of the latest trainers. In between that he might get an Xbox game or two. But if he wants money to go out with or save up to buy his Mum flowers (which he does and I think is just ace) he actually asks me if he can polish my shoes and wash my car for a tenner - he's getting a good deal but because he's willing, of course, I always say yes. More importantly, I'm aware he wants to work to earn money to then spend it for good reason. Because of his attitude he sometimes gets his tenner and i take him to McD's as well without him lifting a finger. The icing on the cake...a few days later my shoes have been polished and there's a promise of the car being done at w/e. A good lad and so leads me nicely into...

....if you walked into an interview that I or one of my managers was conducting I'd employ you if you came across with enthusiasm, integrity and confidence no matter what the job was. We'd do the rest. I wouldn't employ you if you gave me the impression that you'd applied on the premise that it was just a job...any job. Bear that in mind.

Whilst I hope you're not already looking for excuses, nobody got me any of my jobs, I asked for application forms and had no shame in doing so whatsoever. That was because I wanted to work, no matter what it was.

Aptly, it's called...'LIFE'.
 
Always saddens me to hear someone so young ,so down ,
Jack people may have said stuff like this to u before but your health is most important
Your mental health is vital ,do some voluntary work or something
This will change your outlook in life , having a positive attitude gives people a positive
view of you, keep positive kiddo life is good ,when your down always remember that

My health is my strong point and I'm managing to keep myself kinda busy so I don't over think too much. Yeh voluntary is a good shout, thanks for that. Thanks for the response too, nice words. Appreciated mate.
 
LOL This bit sounds like being back in the pub. :eek:
I know what your saying though. Many moons ago when i left school and went to Agricultural college, one of my work placements was with a ranger for 3 mths. We saw some sights even back then. :o
It was just one of them jobs that seamed to klick with my psyche, if you no what i mean.:confused:
Still, as you say, some dreams may be best left unfulfilled.

BMP I get it
As I said on an earlier thread one of my best, and happiest, greenkeepers was a guy who threw up a job as a college lecturer.

It annoys me when people look down on other peoples jobs.
I took the G'kid's to KFC last week and the 'team leader' looked about 17 /18 years old. She was quite brilliant and ran a busy and clean service with great confidence and style. You could see the other staff just loved her and it was a very happy work place.
I said to my missus, She will go far and I would love to see anyone who pours scorn on 'that type of work' cope with what she was doing.
 
Gonna be harsh now but you have no credible reason to relate to my mindset at the same age. Your reply is the reason why.

'Just Do It'.

Jack, how many managers at McDonalds started working there at a young age doing the job that no 'trendy teen' wants to be seen to be doing. Those trendy teens have, and forgive me for the bad pun, chips on their shoulders. Those that didn't now have careers that they can expand into other areas and probably started by mopping a floor. The trendy teens in my eyes are the ones who ignored peer pressure and went shoving fries in fat.

Working is normal. Working with strangers is normal...at first. They're not strangers after a few days.

I'm surprised you'd caveat "any job" with a question mark. I appreciate it can be a nervous time but if you expect your first job to be one you'll love and be well paid in then I'd suggest you renew your Xbox live membership and fester on ya backside playing games and say goodbye to a nice girl and decent clothes.

One thing I didn't mention earlier was that at 23, I had my first child. He's now 14. He doesn't get spends but every 6 months he gets a spanking new pair of the latest trainers. In between that he might get an Xbox game or two. But if he wants money to go out with or save up to buy his Mum flowers (which he does and I think is just ace) he actually asks me if he can polish my shoes and wash my car for a tenner - he's getting a good deal but because he's willing, of course, I always say yes. More importantly, I'm aware he wants to work to earn money to then spend it for good reason. Because of his attitude he sometimes gets his tenner and i take him to McD's as well without him lifting a finger. The icing on the cake...a few days later my shoes have been polished and there's a promise of the car being done at w/e. A good lad and so leads me nicely into...

....if you walked into an interview that I or one of my managers was conducting I'd employ you if you came across with enthusiasm, integrity and confidence no matter what the job was. We'd do the rest. I wouldn't employ you if you gave me the impression that you'd applied on the premise that it was just a job...any job. Bear that in mind.

Whilst I hope you're not already looking for excuses, nobody got me any of my jobs, I asked for application forms and had no shame in doing so whatsoever. That was because I wanted to work, no matter what it was.

Aptly, it's called...'LIFE'.

When you talk about peer pressure and such this has no relevance to me though, I've never been peer pressured and it's nothing to do with a 'trendy' reputation. I don't care what people think of me, my appearance or what I do I simply said I feel kind of anxious about a new job? And like I've said in previous replies I don't expect it to be a job I love, I just want a job that relates to something I want to eventually do, no matter how low I start. All of my points are made from my experiences already with work/people I know who have jobs. I'm certainly not looking for excuses not to work either as mentioned in replies to other people. Times have changed I guess, even when I go into places for an application form I get the same response everywhere now 'Check online.' Then you check online and there's nothing there, people rarely even take CV's anymore.
And like you said, I'd have that enthusiasm if it was somewhere I wanted to be/carry on with my life. I'd find it extremely hard to walk into McDonalds and be enthusiastic about frying up some of the most disgusting burgers in the world haha.

I'm obviously extremely misunderstood to you, which is fair enough.
 
I started off at 13 with paper rounds, then at 15 supermarkets, 17 was doing temp jobs through an agency, house removals, factory jobs that sort of thing. Left school at 16 with a half dozen GCSEs got into college to do a Btec business studies , ( what qualifications do you have)
Joined A bank at 18, left at 35, then a house husband and now a computer engineer.

You are going to have to start at the bottom and work up, there are no short cuts,
It doesn't cost much to start your own business, a ladder, couple of buckets and some cloths and you are a window cleaner
Do you have any interests or hobbies you can expand?
Any contacts via the family or friends who run their own business?

Go to the local Tesco and say you will work for a week for free, but if you are good at what you do , they have to take you on full time
Take a risk, get your butt off the couch and sell yourself,

Don't worry if you get rejected, it means the one that says YES is closer

Good luck
 
Life at 18 is tough, really tough. You've recently left school/college and gone from being a decent sized fish in a small pond to competing against a multitude with more experience, strength and stamina to being a minnow in a huge sea. Its not easy, in fact its damned hard.

Don't be overwhelmed by it, its pretty much what so many of us have been through. Life is a marathon not a sprint. Draw breath, relax and plan a long slow battle to achieve what you want.

The ideal job won't arrive overnight, and will in all probability take many years to achieve.

Bladeplayer touches on something that will give you the feeling of achievement and fulfilment. Take on some volutary work. It will bring all sorts of personal and professional benefits. Employers look to see how people fill there time when they're not employed, and this sort of thing is viewed positively by them.

And don't forget to enjoy the simple things in life, especially at 18, because in anotherfew years your life will be so full you'll wish you were 18 again.

Good luck and best wishes from a wrinkly old Hobbit
 
When you talk about peer pressure and such this has no relevance to me though, I've never been peer pressured and it's nothing to do with a 'trendy' reputation. I don't care what people think of me, my appearance or what I do I simply said I feel kind of anxious about a new job? And like I've said in previous replies I don't expect it to be a job I love, I just want a job that relates to something I want to eventually do, no matter how low I start. All of my points are made from my experiences already with work/people I know who have jobs. I'm certainly not looking for excuses not to work either as mentioned in replies to other people. Times have changed I guess, even when I go into places for an application form I get the same response everywhere now 'Check online.' Then you check online and there's nothing there, people rarely even take CV's anymore.
And like you said, I'd have that enthusiasm if it was somewhere I wanted to be/carry on with my life. I'd find it extremely hard to walk into McDonalds and be enthusiastic about frying up some of the most disgusting burgers in the world haha.


I'm obviously extremely misunderstood to you, which is fair enough.


Far from misunderstood you young man. If you read all of your posts on the subject and ALL of the replies, the theme is consistent throughout. I have tried to get over to you from personal experience how I shaped my career, simply through hard graft. I didn't want to pick cardigans off clothes racks at 6:15am on a saturday morning for a living but hey, guess what, some people do, they hate it but they do it. Other responders have told you to 'get out there and get in the market' also and you seem resistant to it.

Earlier you stated that you didn't want a dead-end job that has no correlation to what you want to do. Or you just don't want a dead end job....As one poster pointed out re KFC and following my McD's reference is this a dead end job? If not, what is at 18 when you WANT to work? You don't wanna flip burgers for the rest of your life, fair enough. But you refuse to do it for 6 months to get a job and reference on your CV?


You've missed my point entirely. You simply have to work, the positions and career that you perhaps aspire to now will only happen if you either get back into education (doesn't seem to make a difference now for lots sadly) or start to gain employment experience. You have to be patient and if you work hard and are determined then you'll have a bloody good chance of succeeding. Only you yourself can shape this. That was the whole point of my post.

You have been given sound advice. You're young so you're entitled to enjoy yourself. Imagine how much more of a laugh you'll have with some coin in your pocket, regardless of what job sector it came from. It isn't rocket science.
 
Jack.

If it's experience you need then there are voluntary jobs with outfits like National Trust that will give you training in areas like Estate Rangers, Conservation, Woodland Management, Catering, Retail, Administration and much more. I know someone who did this for a few years to get some practical work experience which lead him on to full time paid work.

What ever job you do, no matter how humble strive to be the best person that does that job. Someone will notice your efforts and doors can open that lead you on new journeys you never considered.
 
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