Both of my 16-year-olds have started their first job search. They’re asking for their social security numbers and for references. They’re filling out applications, in person and online. They’re going on interviews. So far, no takers. I can see the frustration building, John has already told me he’s tired of filling out applications. I haven’t had the heart to break it to him that he’s going to be filling out applications for the rest of his life. Jobs, schools, loans…it’s an endless process so get used to it, kid.
I’m confident they’ll land something very soon. Or I’ll start charging you to read this blog so I can afford all the excess gas, movies, and trips to McDonald’s teenagers require to survive.
When they do, there are a few things I’d like them to know, so they don’t annoy me as much as most teenage employees do.
1. Don’t chew gum. There’s nothing worse than trying to order a coffee from someone who is snapping gum in your face. You’re a kid, you don’t know how to do it quietly. So just don’t.
2. Don’t tell me crazy stories. If your parents think the oil companies have spaceships that are shooting lasers at the polar ice caps, melting them on purpose so they can drill up there – just keep it to yourself. When I’m standing in a mud puddle waiting for you to unload my groceries, I’m not interested in conspiracy theories.
3. Don’t curse. No matter how cool or hip the store you work at is, when you’re talking to someone more than a generation older than you, don’t curse. And I don’t mean just don’t say the f-word, I mean don’t curse at all. I curse all the time and it bothers me to hear a sales clerk do it.
4. Don’t put crap in your face. I can’t take you seriously if you have a giant bolt in your lip or eyebrow. I’d rather someone with less metal in their head finds shoes in my size.
5. Put your phone away. I know, I know everyone does it. I do it. Guilty as charged. But if I’m asking you directions and you answer while laughing at your screen you will immediately be given a vote of no confidence.
6. Know that some people are just jerks. I learned this one the hard way. Once you realize it, you won’t be so hard on yourself.
7. Don’t cry at work. Seriously. Unless your elbow lands in the fry vat and you have 3rd degree burns, don’t ever cry at work.
8. Control eye rolling. Your boss is not your parent. They don’t have to keep letting you stay there even when your eye rolling drives them to the brink of child abuse. If I could fire my teenagers, they’d have been gone 4 years ago. Be nice. Listen, even when the boss tells you the same things nine times.
9. Don’t social network with people at work. Social networking has bad news written all over it. So don’t Facebook friend, Instagram follow, Tweet, Snapchat, or whatever else the kids are doing these days with people at work. Just be work friends with them. I promise, you won’t regret it.
10. Don’t buy stuff where you work. The employee discount is a trick to get you to spend more money there. I once worked at a sporting goods store and spent at least half my paycheck every week on “stuff” from the store. I don’t even like sports. Resist the urge to bite the carrot they’re dangling in front of you.
That should do it. Although, now that I think about it I probably should have given tips for getting a job. I don’t have a job though, so I don’t have any tips. Even if I did I wouldn’t share them – then I might be expected to get one.
I am impressed!
I swear by #9. If you really want to rant about something at work it’s a little awkward when you’re FB friends with your manager. Just not going to happen for me.
Number 8 and 10 are my favourites. Also, don’t think you already know everything when you start working there. I spent 10 years of my life training teenagers to work in retail, and every one of them came into the job thinking they already knew everything they needed to know about everything.
Who is this number two and is the federal government watching, or should I alert them myself?
My 16 yr old is having the same issues. He is so frustrated. but right now he is having health issues and I point out if he would have a job he wouldn’t now because of his illness. Blessings come in many places. maybe this was one.
One more? If you think your teachers are tough, wait until you meet the boss. If you are late too often, you won’t get detention, you will get fired. They won’t remind you to get on with your work; bosses will find someone else who will do it. And they won’t accept late work.
Here’s one you forgot: DO NOT date anyone from work because then you will be tempted to make out in the backroom and someone could catch you and you could get in a lot of trouble. Not everyone gets caught because some are smooth like that but I still wouldn’t recommend it. Besides, when you break up you will want to cry every day at work and, well, we’ve been over that already.
Good list…. one more: always be polite to customers. Even if they are the customer from hell, smile and wait on them. You never know when that bi##h is related to the boss!!
Great tips!
Now, I shall take the hoop outta my nose. Just kidding.
Xx
Great list! Here’s one more. If I ask you where something is, and you don’t know, SAY I’m sorry I don’t know where that is, but, I’ll find out for you if you give me a moment. It’s no crime to not know something, IT IS a problem, if you lead me all over the store while you pretend to know where you’re going, all the while hoping to find the item by chance! Number 5 has become the most problematic in society lately. I learned 6 the hard way, too. Some people just suck!
don’t mention your blog or your parents blog at work
seriously
EXACTLY. Yes. Every word. My 16 year old niece will be getting a link to this page.
Great advice Bridget! I’ll have to share this with my 15yo so he can start working on it now!
On-time is LATE, always be at LEAST 5 minutes EARLY! I am having the hardest time getting the HIRED program interns to realize that. When you get a job where you are clocking in, walking IN the door at your start time does NOT qualify as on-time.
Best of luck to them in their job searches. It’s definitely not the same work environment we had as teens. Robert was fortunate enough to get hired by MWR as a lifeguard, but he was already 17 when he took the course.
According to the idiot D.O.E. rep who showed up at our Town Meeting, the requirements of filling the Principal’s position at the new school being built here is “Who ever is available.”
John & Taryn would be excellent principals, don’t you think?
Great advice.
Are they decent swimmers and enjoy working with kids? They might consider becoming swim instructors if it works into their schedule. Sometimes it works out to be only 2x per week M/W or T/Th. If it sounds like something they would be interested in they should look into the SwimAmerica program at West High School. I know the director hires 16 year old’s and they offer training.
Thanks! I’ll check that out!