Re: Making it happen

As SoulfulSurvivor pointed out, you need to look for any honest work---even minimum wage. If you have to wash dishes, bus tables, work on a cleaning crew, work as a security guard on the graveyard shift, work at the local Circle K on the graveyard shift---you do what you have to do as long as it's honest employment. Plus you work whatever days that are offered. If teens in AZ are getting hired for low-paying jobs, then you can, too. I'm not saying that as an insult either.

Are you in religious services all day on Saturday? If not, then work around it. If you go in the morning, then you have the rest of the day to work.

When I got out of college, it was during a bad recession. The only work I could find was part-time graveyard shift minimum wage work. A friend and I got a crappy apartment in a not-so-great area. You make do in that situation and you plug along. When the economy picks up, so will more job opportunities.

Not wanting to get too political but ironically enough, in AZ, with employers being required to use E-Verify, you are more employable than many people.

Take SoulfulSurvivor's great suggestion and go to local restaurants and ask if they need anyone to wash dishes or bus tables. If they don't, and are part of a chain, they may know of other locations that are hiring.

Make sure you dress nicely when asking for work. Even for a job paying minimum wage, taking the time to dress nicely could make all the difference.

You need to make finding a job your full-time job. If you have to work outside in the summer in order to have funds coming in, then that's what you have to do.

Remember---there is dignity in any and all honest employment. Good luck in your search for work.