How can my son get a job?

[whfcwhfc]

My son is 21 he has never had a job since leaving school. His father and grandmother died within 6 months of each other, he was almost 17 at the time. He has only recently started looking for work. Employers don't seem to want to know because he has never held down a job. I have tried to suggest that he trains for something but he isn't interested in this. He lives on his own but will not even apply for benefits. He is getting into debt because he can't pay his bills. I am worried he will end up in jail eventually not because he is a criminal just because he can't pay his way. I help him out financially but can not afford to take on his debts and don't feel this would be good for him anyway. Please can you suggest what he can try next. He has applied for various jobs but has only had one interview.

[caz21]

When he does go for jobs is he applying for ones that he likes the sound of?

Just wondering as he may be thinking i'd like to be a .......... etc. but it may be he needs experience for these jobs in the first place! (just a thought)

he should go to recruitment companies who will be able to advise him, also the job centre will be able to help, and look in the local paper for jobs.

He will need a CV for potential employers to view, although it will be a little bear.

Maybe he could get employment in a menial job for a while, i.e packer in a warehouse etc. although i'm sure he won't be thrilled with the idea but at least it will be experience in the job market and something to put on a CV. He will need to stick at a job like this for at least six months to help though as going from one job to another and filling a CV with six jobs in six months will look worse to any potential employers!

And let him know not to worry, it can sometimes take going to a lot of interviews before you get a job, but not to get downhearted about the rejection look at it as interview experience!

Hope he finds something! Good Luck!

[joko]

you must insist he applies for benefits - he cannot afford to be proud about this.
if you keep paying for him he will never sort it out.

he should get JSA and housing benefit.

also the JSA will assist him in finding a job - help him learn about writing cover letters, cv, job interviews etc they will find him something to get him started.

do you suppose he is depressed? sounds odd to have done nothing for 4 years.

perhaps also you could invest in some kind of correspondence course for him - if he won't go out to nightschool or part time courses perhaps he could further his prospects this way.

does he have much of a social life? if not he may be feeling inferior and not worthy and probably needs a confidence boost

[kazza12345]

maybe he has his sights set too high?
what about starting in something like tesco?

[Solarjunkie]

He sounds depressed to me, too, understandably after that double blow.
A period of residential voluntary work would give him something to put on his cv and get him involved with a new set of situations - have a look at Community Service Volunteers (csv.org). Good luck.