I was at the video store over the weekend and overheard a teenager inquiring about a job. Here's how the conversation went.
Teenager (to sales clerk): "Hi, can you tell me how old you have to be to work here?"
Sales clerk: "Yeah, you have to be eighteen."
Teenager: "Oh, OK. Do you know if they ever make exceptions?"
Sales clerk: "I don't know. But I can get my manager and you can ask him if you want."
Teenager: "That would be great. Thanks."
I don't know what happened after that. But whether or not he gets the job, that teenager is doing a lot right. He's showing initiative. He's out there looking for a regular job, not working at his dad's law office. He's courteous and cheerful. And when he didn't get the answer he wanted, he didn't get upset about it, but he didn't just shrug his shoulders in defeat, either. He's not taking "no" for an answer, but he's not being disrespectful. He just really wants that job and is willing to do just a little more to show it than your average job seeker would.
I hope the manager hired him. Those are the kinds of characteristics colleges appreciate, too.