Looking more attractive to businesses?

[Cognizant]

It baffles me that I whenever I try super hard to find a job, I never get in. I wrote a good resume and cover letter, and I've expressed how I try to see the positive side to every situation I come across.
But then my friend Erin practically just walks into a Jamba Juice with (as far as I know) little to no experience, and she gets in no problem.

Sure, I'm applying for places that do require a bit more work than just making overpriced smoothies, but how do I go about making myself more attractive to businesses? I have good skills and experience in doing stuff in the Office environment (such as using the copier, grouping and organizing files, using the MS office suite and calculating percentages), but I've already plastered that in my resume and cover letter.

[JamesSuperBoy]

I hope you get a job soon and one you enjoy. Maybe the better "places that do require a bit more work than just making overpriced smoothies" jobs get many other and more experienced applicants.

[Silicate Wielder]

your looking for a job in the office? What kind of jobs are you applying for? any previous experience working for a neighbor or friend/relative with this kind of work?

I'm sure the employer will be looking for previous examples of work if you can provide it.

[TheMatrix]

Getting a good job is, at our age and where we live, all about connections. And I don't mean LinkedIn or any of that -- from what I hear all they do is spam you with little benefit -- but one's parents.

I've landed 3 well-paying jobs through my dad. See if your parents can do likewise.

[redknight]

Try a cooking job they are hire all the time, good luck, looking...

[LouBerry]

Your age might have something to do with not finding anything. For the type of jobs you seem to be after, most businesses would hire someone 18-25. Just keep trying, and apply for every single job you come across.

[Magenta]

As someone who is currently looking for a full-time job, let me share with you what I know.

First: it is not about you. Yes, that sounds weird, but it really isn't. If you don't get a job, odds are, it's not actually about you. Someone with better qualifications came along or they were looking for someone else based on other criteria. As long as you do your best with your resume, cover letter, and interviews, it's all you can do. Employers are picky. And if you did your best, in the end, it's about them not you.

Second: looking for a job is a full-time job in itself. Believe me, I've been doing this for a long time and I'm still unemployed. You need to be pro-active. You need to really pursue the jobs you want. Ask to speak to employees and managers, get to know the people and make sure they get to know you. Follow up with people. Give them a call and say "hi, my name is _____, I recently applied for the position of _____ and I would like to follow up with your hiring manager about whether or not the position is still available". And keep calling them until they either tell you it's been filled or you get some other response that tells you to stop. Don't call everyday, maybe just once a week or so until you find out.

Third: ask questions! Employers want someone who seems genuinely interested in the job. You can be best qualified but if you don't present yourself as sincerely interested, they won't be interested in you. Come up with every question you can think of and make sure you get the answers you want. Be polite and express your interest.

You're young. A lot of places only hire 18+. And at your age, most jobs will come from knowing someone. If you really need help, find someone like a guidance counselor or a career counselor for help. That's what they're there for. But as long as you're determined, you will find a job eventually. It's just hard work. (Trust me, I'm waiting on a phone call right this minute, lol.)

Dress appropriately, shower, present yourself well, etc, all those things should help you. Good luck.

[ImCoolBeans]

Getting a "good job" off the bat is going to be hard to do, if you can at all. I started out as a cashier at a supermarket. I got promoted to be a floor supervisor, and now I'm a bookkeeper and supervisor at the same store. I've been there for 3 years and have not gotten written up or in trouble once in that time. If I were to start looking for a new job, which I am actively considering, I believe that I would have a pretty good résumé. But I didn't build that résumé by stating what I believe my skills are, I built it by starting in a lower job, and working my way up with hard work. Companies, especially offices, aren't looking for a list of what you think you're good at, they want to see that you have held down a job over time, and have what it takes to be a reliable employee.

17 year olds don't usually get hired in office firms, and if they do, it's probably because they know somebody. My advice to you is to start off somewhere lower and work your way up. Companies want to see work experience and growth. You also have a build up references. If you can provide past employers to vouch for your work, then a company would probably consider you to be a much better candidate for the job than somebody who can't provide that.

[xChrisVx]

Adding on to what Mike said, have you tried getting work experience placements?

I'm a law student, and I'm always looking to get into solicitors' offices to get some experience/contacts. If you really want to see what the larger firms are like, I found that simply writing a letter is a good way to get the ball rolling.

Also, voluntary work is something that I'm finding helpful. I've been working in my local Parliamentary Office all summer and I'm also a volunteer swim coach.

Although these aren't really 'jobs' per-se, they give you experience of dealing with people, and if there's something which you'll definitely be doing in work, it'll be dealing with your fellow colleagues and the public.