is it a hobby?

[Romstar]

Dress well. Not like one of the Brooks Brothers, you're 16 for heavens sake, but try to look respectable.
Clean cut, shave if you need to, but somehow I don't expect that.

Clean shoes. Whether they are sneakers, or whatever. Actually, no wrinkled clothes, and be sure they are all clean.

Be honest, be sincere. Tell your prospective employer that you are very interested in the business. He's going to want to know if all you want to learn is picking locks, or if you are interested enough to learn all the other stuff as well.

Have you helped your dad, or anyone else with any sort of carpentry work, or mechanical work? Be sure to tell him any experience you may have that applies. Even if all you can do is swing a hammer.

You seem to be pretty good with the language, so I will assume you know how to speak properly.

Don't be embarassed about anything. After all, you are 16, and this is one of your first jobs you are asking for.

Good luck,
Romstar

[Mad Mick]

Get your Dad to browse this forum for a while. Once he sees the level of professionalism, maturity and the ethics of this site, he's bound to be interested in why you find it fascinating and may become interested himself...or your Mom for that matter. People often judge that which they are ignorant of as being immoral or illegal. There is nothing wrong with picking locks as a hobby, just as there is nothing wrong with shooting guns for a hobby. Where the line is drawn (and it is a thin line) is where the borderline between legal and illegal is crossed. Firing a weapon in the confines of an established environment constructed for such use is fine. Firing a weapon outside such an environment is illegal. Picking locks within the confines or your own home is perfectly legal. However, picking locks without the necessary permission in public, is likely to to cause you to end up in court. Read the laws on posession of lock picking equipment which are applicable to your state/province. Unless you are an authorised locksmith, carrying 'burglar tools' is prohibited.

I guess what I'm trying to reiterate is that you try to get the full backing from your parents in regards to this hobby, whatever it takes. Once you can get them to understand that this is what you are genuinely interested in and possibly see this as a future career, they may begin to support you fully.

Hope this helps,
Mick.

[Mad Mick]

Wow, a couple of replies since I started to write my epic (small stuff compared to Rom's usual, but hey!).

As for shoes, try not to wear sneakers. If you have some decent shoes, wear them. Sneakers always look as if you take a casual approach to finding work. A smart appearance goes a long way to making that first impression. There can be a guy who knows everything applicable to the job, who turns up for an interview in an unkempt way. The next guy turns up in a brand new suit, but does not necessarily have the required skills for the job, but he has made the effort. The former is more than likely the better choice from a productivity point, but his worksite could relay the wrong impression to the customer. The latter is better from a presentation stand point, but does he have the necessary skills for the job? He's gone the extra mile to edge himself above the other applicants, but his knowledge will become apparent from further questioning.

The best advice is - attend any interview as if you were meeting a dignitary and research the subject beforehand. Show a willingness to learn and ask about possible future promotions - this relays a self enhancement prospectus.

Following these guidelines, I've been accepted for every job application I've tried for. Some I've decided to decline, others I've taken, but the more you do to elevate yourself above the last guy, the better.

[PhR0Z3N_PhL4M3]

wow thanks a million guys. I got my parents to look at all this feedback and finaly talked them into it. Tommorow im going to head out to some local shops and see what i can get. I have worked with my dad a bunch (he owns his own company .. hes the only person in it .. he fixes things .. he works on houses and everything .. and i've hung doors replaced locks and all that good stuff.) Hopfully i can get a job thanks alot guys!

andrew