Tips for a first job search in college and fast food jobs

Are you a college student with no job experience? I am and finding a job has been hard! However, I have some tips to share.

1. Don't limit yourself to one city, one county, or even one state (sometimes). I live in a town with a population of only a few hundred, so the only possible jobs in my town are at two gas stations and a Dollar General (or at our school, but of course that mostly requires a degree. I'm talking about people my age). I honestly refuse to try to get a job in my town because it's just too good to be true. Honestly, I live in a county with a 3,600 person population with the county seat having just over 3,000 people and I'm having trouble getting a job there (and have almost given up, although I did have an interview yesterday).
2. Almost exclusively restrict yourself to fast food. Almost everyone I know worked in fast food for their first job. It may be torture, but retail workers are generally looking for someone who has had at least one paid job, usually in retail. I have gotten an interview at a few non-fast food places but I've never been hired. (Embarrassingly, I've only been hired at one place and despite the employer claiming she's emailed my necessary forms to start the job several times, I've not received them, so I gave up on that job.) 
3. Look up your state's minimum wage and ask for it. In most states, the minimum hourly wage is $7.25. This is what you need to ask for. If you ask for a price too high, you will not be hired because you will cost the company too much money. 
4. Volunteer while searching. Since most places want some kind of job experience, you should volunteer while searching for a job. Volunteer places tend to allow everyone to work. I have volunteer experience as a girl scout and an altar server. (I know I'm a hypocrite since I think girls should not serve, but I started before the meaning of altar boyhood occurred to me and by that time, the damage at my church had been done.)

Now for fast food jobs:

1. Stay busy and energetic. Fast-food jobs, of course, means giving food out QUICKLY. People are rushing to get to work or their activities. This is why there is a rush hour- where you don't do or think about anything except taking people's orders, cooking the food, and serving it. You must accommodate this schedule and work as quickly as possible or you will get fired.
   Also, if you're not busy, clean the restaurant up. A dirty restaurant is dangerous and illegal.
2. Work exactly when you don't want to. Fast food jobs are busiest on weekends because people are out and about on Saturdays and going to church on Sundays. Unfortunately until you have enough experience, you cannot keep Sunday as your Sabbath Day and have a job. You simply cannot. Also, my parish has masses on Saturdays at 4 and there are only four altar servers, including me. When I get a job, I will make sure I am working during that time because Saturday at 4 is when people are getting busy. Unfortunately, I have to be working at this time or I will not get a job. This is true for other teens at my parish as well. (Not only that, but if you really need a job, night shift may be just what you have to do.)
   Also, my girl scout troop takes an annual trip to Holiday World every year. I don't even have a job yet and my troop leader doesn't even know when we're going there yet, but I already plan on working that day. I need a job, so I'm just going to work then. (Also, work on holidays, such as Christmas and Easter, if they're open). 
3. Get to work early. Early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable. Be late once and you're fired!
4. Keep your personal life personal. People go to fast food to get food quickly, and people work at fast food to have money. It's hectic enough for everyone, and everyone has problems, but never, EVER, complain about your job or personal life. You will automatically get fired for doing so.

Let me know if you have other tips!

Thanks,
Sarah