<p>I live in a suburb of Houston and I've been trying to get a job for the last month and a half. I thought I had one, then the manager magically wasn't there anymore. I've tried to apply at least 15 places; three were out of applications, one said they weren't hiring any summer employees, and the others just didn't call back, even though some of them had "now hiring signs."</p>
<p>But, I was in Ohio visiting some friends a week or two ago and it seemed like everyplace I went had up a now hiring sign, including some of the more desireable places to work (here it's just McDonalds and Ross that have signs up, and Ross is out of applictations). When I talk to people in other places, they say that any person willing to apply for a job will probably get it; one of my friends in Georgia almost has two jobs (one interview left for Barnes and Noble which here won't hire anyone under 20). Is it me or Houston or what?</p>
<p>Granted you mean teenage employment, it's really bad around here, in the St. Louis metro aread. I think it's somethink like 17% unemployment rate for teenagers. I applied to a few stores in the mall, but never heard back. I'm about to land a job at a computer place about 15min away from where I live. Only reason I'm able to get that job, is because it's a small company store of about 5 employees, and I have a friend up there who reccomended me for the job.</p>
<p>Here in Cleveland the job market sucks. I am coming from a recent college graduate's perspective, not a teenager, but myself, my cousin, my friend, and my brother all recently graduated within the past year, and cannot find work to save our asses. This is a sucky time to get a job for teenagers though, because so many people are applying for these crappy jobs. As a teenager, you will not get a job applying cold, its just that simple. Find one of your buddies who works there and ask them to get you in. Thank me later.</p>
<p>It sucks here as well. I spent a month and a half and about 30 application, and five interviews, just to get a slightly above minimum wage job that is 30 minutes from my house, less than part time hours too. Just keep trying and be willing to take anything. If you personally know someone that already works at the store it can be a huge help.</p>