I’m 17 years old and have been applying for jobs online over multiple months now. I’ve only gotten one interview (Pizza Hut) and they said they were only hiring 18+, even though the job description online said 16+.

I’ve come to realize I will have wasted so much time by the time the next interview is offered to me. So, I’m thinking of going to small businesses and asking for a job, even if it means I get paid under the counter and below minimum wage. The only problem is I’m not sure if this is acceptable and even if it is, what would I say when I go in?

Also, I’ve called multiple small businesses to ask if they were hiring. Almost every time I asked if the manager/owner was there, the person on the phone said no.