Job Hunting Tips?

[Blarburg]

Hey guys, I was just wondering if anybody had any job hunting advice. I have filled out dozens, if not hundreds of job applications, ranging from the local Sheriff's department to the local McDonald's, done call backs, went in personally, etc. Out of all of this, in 6 months, I have only gotten one interview, at Starbucks. I was told they would call me back on a Monday, so when Tuesday rolled around and I hadn't gotten a call, I called them back - no answer. After this experience I got extremely discouraged, and just haven't really been completely the same since. I still fill out tons of applications every day, and follow up, etc, and no one EVER contacts me back or gives me interviews. It is the most frustrating thing I have ever experienced.

I am 18 years old, and I don't have any work experience, although I do have volunteer experience working with children at my church. I do however, have a great work ethic, I am a fantastic writer, I can type over 80 WPM, am in excellent physical shape, am a great problem solver, etc. I am not being cocky, I just know where I excel, and where I don't. All I want to do is get a job that can give me some valuable experience and a small income so that I don't feel like I am being a leech of my parent's resources. I have tried everything, and am just flat ready to give up (but I won't). I've even considered starting a small eBay consignment business just to get some income, but even that requires business licensing, and I can't get the funds to get that licensing if I can't get a job!

I just don't understand it. Every day I come in contact with a sub-par worker, who is lazy, unmotivated, unskilled, etc., and yet these people are able to get jobs, while someone like me who is motivated to work hard is not. I know I would be a great worker. I know I would be able to impress a manager. I just don't get the opportunity, no matter how hard I fight for it.

Currently I'm working on the internet doing menial tasks and earning maybe $3 per hour. It's highly unmotivating, frustrating, and I do get taken advantage of, but it's my only option to pay the bills. I feel horrible that I am making my parents pay so much for me, I really do. I want to be responsible and self reliant. I just am never given the chance. I'm working on my degree through CLEP credits (I REFUSE to get an expensive student loan just to get a piece of paper saying that I am allowed to work), but until I get it, I still need to pay the bills somehow. How did you guys find your first job? What am I doing wrong? Feel free to criticize me, I feel like there must be something wrong with me that employers just hate. I just don't know what that is. And if you are completely annoyed by reading this, I do apologize, I am just extremely frustrated, and needed somewhere to rant.