I'm smart but I can't even get hired at Walmart or McDonalds

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When do we get our own affirmative action?

I know the feeling. I might edit my walmart resume. I did not apply to McDonalds though, since I thought I would suck at it. I have however applied to ten positions, and was called back only once. Thanks a lot . I think if I apply to a new store, and don't get in, maybe I will move. I think my town is somewhat dead.

In a way, I hope not.

"Affirmative Action" has gotten a lot of bad press, and much well-deserved. It was a time when people who were unfit and unqualified got jobs and promotions just because of their skin color or gender. Job requirements had to be "dumbed down" so these people could now meet minimum qualifications to be considered, and it resulted in a time where some important functions of businesses and society were entrusted to incompetents to perform.

The idea of giving a preference to the "minority" when two otherwise equal candidates appear for a position is one thing. To engineer things so an inferior candidate is hired (indeed, in some situations you must hire the candidate over more fit candidates) is contrary to an effective and efficient operation.

It is better to have positions and occupations that better capitalize what a person has to offer (e.g., create jobs that aspies naturally excel at), and if it's a claim of difference in education, focus on improving the quality of education for all, not saying employers must learn to accept dumber employees.

I agree that if you're inferior to other candidates you shouldn't be chosen over them. I mean for when we are just turned away just because we don't give good job interviews, and there is a hiring bias.

The interview issues do need addressing by organizations. And I do wish they would drop this checklist of what makes the "right character", and get rid of their buzz words like - proactive, team player, hit the ground running.....

Unfortunately for the Original Poster and other teenagers people my age are taking the Walmart and Fast-Food jobs that should be going to people your age because we are not getting the jobs we are qualified for. I won't be taking those jobs because I am to uncoordinated to flip burgers something those with motor coordination should consider.

What I would advise a teen, go for something that is or related to your special interest, even if it is volunteer work. Sure you won't get the material things your peers have but will give yourself a long term edge. If you like the work you are doing it will show and you have a better chance of doing the work well. You could get hired by the company you volunteered for. Future employers will like the assertiveness and any relevant skills you pick up.

Thats a problem. When you have expensive AP exams and College Admission Fees and SAT, ACT, and Graduation Fees, volunteer work is not an option. If you are taking time away from your schoolwork and studying, it needs to be paid.

If I was living on my own I'd be screwed. Despite more than a dozen interviews and even with a job skills class and learning more about body language and what you should and shouldn't say, I have not been able to land a single real job since I got fired from pizza hut back in early 2010. Can't afford anything on my own, so that means no car, no insurance, no college. And because I'm pretty much freeloading, along with the expense of my two younger sisters, my parents couldn't keep up with house payments and now we're all stuck living in my grandmother's house. I guess the one good thing is that when she goes my dad may inherit it anyway. But still, it's evident I have no hope no matter how much volunteering or applying I do. It's not even bad enough that I could apply for anything like social security. I'm in a sh***y place in between where absolutely no company will ever even think of hiring me and yet I am not extremely disabled.

I worked at WalMart for 25months & before that I was a dishwasher at IHOP for 10months & after WalMart I worked at a sporting-goods store for 3months. WalMart & probably McDonalds didn't consider you because you are under 18. WalMart & the other two places I worked at didn't like hiring minors due to more BS with labor laws(they can get fined or you can file a suit) if you work more than a certain amount of hours & they have to be accommodating to your school schedule as well if your in high-school; I'm not saying WalMart & other places won't hire minors but they have to be a lot more careful about it. Also if you were applying for cashier positions WalMart will not consider you for them because WalMart sells cigarets & alcohol & the laws regarding the sale of alcohol & tobacco require cashiers to be over the legal age to buy them so cashiers at WalMart have to be 21 or older. WalMart & other places hire more at certain times & lots of places only keep apps on file for a month or two so it's good to resubmit your apps every couple months. WalMart & I hear McDonalds are greedy corporations. They want to only have the bare minimum of people working there because having to pay more people cost them more money(they don't factor in or care that having more employees would make their customer service better & the lines shorter so customers would be more apt to go there because they'll have a better expedience) & they are also major corporations so they have LOTs of people putting in apps so not getting an interview(if you didn't get any) does NOT mean they thought you were a bad fit due to your app sense they probably didn't even get to look over it due to having soo many applicants to chose from. Try not to get discouraged(which know is very easy to do) & keep submitting & resubmitting apps.