My son, a junior in college, is trying to get a summer job. His degree is challenging, and he has a good work ethic plus job experience. Because he hasn’t had much luck applying online, I have been calling local businesses to see what’s available while he’s working hard at school.
A problem I’m encountering is something I never had to deal with in my own job search. It’s companies asking if he wants an internship. They say they can’t pay him to train him. Can you explain the basis of this response?
— WANTS TO KNOW IN PENNSYLVANIA
Dear Wants To Know,
They want free labor in exchange for “experience”. Sometimes this can lead to a full-time position. The other times it becomes just a line on a resume.
As I search for a more permanent job, I have found myself banging into the “Internship Wall”. I find a position I think I could do, that’s not listed as an internship, and as I read through the job description I get to the end where it says that there is no salary. I hate it! And the jobs that are deemed “introductory” require 3-5 years experience. How…? What…? It’s very frustrating!
One thing I think you need to do is put down the phone and let your son do the talking. If you find a company, forward it on to him and let him make the first introduction. There is nothing worse than having someone’s mom call and say that her Little Timmy needs a job. You gotta let him do it on his own.
John Kidde Writes 