Member-only story
Applying at a Car Dealership at Sixteen
What are the chances I would find a job
At sixteen years old, I had been working at a grocery store, which I could not stand. I was glad to have the job. I was not ungrateful, however, this was simply not the job for me. For starters, I had to wear black dress pants, a long sleeve white shirt, and a tie. I was expected to hurry everywhere I went and run with the shopping baskets back into the store.
What? Was this a part-time job after school or trying out for the Olympics? Either way, I had to go.
I was off every Wednesday
The very next Wednesday after school, I put on a three-piece suit and went looking for a job.
I drove my Karman Ghia to every car dealership in town. I even had a clipboard and checked off each car dealer I went to. Being a car guy, this was all very exciting to me.
However, I kept hearing the word “NO”
I would walk into the dealership and ask if I could fill out an application. Every car dealer would ask me how old I was and then promptly tell me no. Not a polite no, not offering any advice, not telling me to come back in two years—just NO.