Have you ever heard someone say, “Take it easy” or “Don’t work too hard”? Some might think these are the key to a happy life, but hard workers are generally happier than people who could work but choose not to. This is because we were designed to work.
Work offers many benefits:
- Work adds meaning to life.
- Work forces you to manage your time well.
- Work helps you build skills.
- Work helps you become useful.
- Work helps you get along with people.
- Work keeps you out of trouble.
- Work enables you to earn an income, save money, and help others in need.
- Work helps you identify strengths, abilities, talents, and interests.
- Work helps you identify a calling or something you feel led to do.
- Work helps you build friendships.
- Work helps you become a leader.
- Work encourages personal development.
Job opportunities
If you are in high school, I recommend finding a part-time job. Here are a few possibilities:
- Chic-fil-A
- Grocery store
- Walmart
- Lawn service
- Car wash/detail
- Painter
- Coffee barista
- Child care
- Lifeguard
How to get a job
Years ago, I drove to a car dealership and asked to speak with the hiring manager. I did not apply online because I knew my chances of getting hired were higher if I applied in person. The hiring manager interviewed me and offered me a job.
You can do this, too. You can visit a business you are interested in, ask to speak with the hiring manager, express your interest in a job, inquire about job opportunities, and request an interview.
The manager may ask you to complete a job application online. That’s OK. Showing up in person, enabling the manager to see your can-do positive attitude and professional appearance, will increase your chances of getting a job.
When you meet the hiring manager, smile, make and maintain eye contact, and shake hands. During an interview, ensure your answers are accurate and delivered with confidence. (You can do more than you probably think you can.)
If you are rejected, don’t let it bother you too much. It happens to everyone. Look for another opportunity.
Job tips
No job is perfect—especially starter jobs. Your goals should be to work hard, honestly, to learn, develop skills, and cultivate character.
The following tips will help you become a star employee:
- Keep your uniform clean, pressed, and your appearance neat and tidy.
- Arrive early for work.
- Look people in the eye, smile, and say good morning.
- Be friendly, stay focused on your job, and be quick to offer assistance.
- Own your job: learn what your role requires and do it excellently with a good attitude.
- Notice what your coworkers do well.
- Notice problems, find solutions, and after work, write down the issues and solutions in a notebook. Learn everything you can about the business.
If you consistently do these things, you may be eligible for a promotion, a raise, a new job opportunity, or a positive referral. At the very least, you will have the satisfaction of a job well done, and you will become someone others enjoy working with.
Photo by Jack Lee on Unsplash