First time for everything

Despite going through different things in each of our lives, there are some aspects to life that we share—one of those regarding getting a job. Whether we’re talking about part-time or something you want to do for the rest of your life, this is something we all go through. Working is an essential part of life. 

To say I am very lucky to have the job I have now is an understatement. Given my circumstances, I would have been foolish to turn down a job like the one I have now. Not only does the job pay $3.75 more than the minimum wage, but it is also across the street from where I live, and it allows me to meet new people and develop more relationships (not to mention my coworker who is very easy on the eyes). I currently work at a gas station which requires me to manage the store by myself most times. Some of the requirements of my job include:

• Attend customers (Top priority)
  
• Clean any noticeable spills
  
• Ensure floor and vault is stocked (food & drinks)
  
• Refill fountain machine if empty
  
• Check temperature of freezers
  

Working is not easy. There are many factors to getting and maintaining a job. While some jobs are easier to perform than others, it is important to recognize the hard work it takes for everyone to perform their job. In this article, I wish to share the process of getting my first job as well as how I am doing so far.

Step 1: Looking For Jobs
This was definitely harder than it sounds. I had multiple things to keep in mind as I searched for a place to work. These factors included:

• Pay - Would I earn enough to be able to help my family pay bills and still be able to save money for myself?
  
• Location - How far is the job? Since my family doesn’t have a car, I have to be mindful of where the job is so I’m not spending too much on transportation if necessary.
  
• Flexibility - Since I’m in school, how would the job take that into consideration? 
  
• Experience - Obviously I need entry-level jobs since I’ve never had a job beforehand.
  

I kept my top priorities in mind and stuck through with what I needed first for a job. There were a few personal preferences that narrowed the search even more, but those were something I had to scrap if I wanted to work at my current job. Keep in mind what you want to look for in those jobs before anything. You're devoting your time to work, so try to find a job you enjoy and that works well with you. 

Step 2: Applying/Interview Process
There are plenty of websites where companies post if they are hiring. Another good tip is to search for a company you want to work for, and call/make a visit to see about applying. What I personally did was look up jobs in my area, then refined that search to a specific company to see if they were hiring. Sometimes, if a company is desperately looking for employees, they may skip your resume and immediately ask for an interview. While this doesn’t always happen, it is important to be prepared for an interview soon after applying. Personally, since the gas station needed workers, I bypassed the interview process and only had to submit a background check. While I had an easy interview process, I still recognize that most people still have to go through a vigorous process for interviews.

Step 3: Training
Once you have successfully passed the interview process, you will have the training to teach you the ropes. 

This happens with every new job you get to ensure you are able to successfully complete the tasks assigned to you. With my training, I had two phases: computer and on-the-job training. Computer training is essentially taking courses, while on-the-job is more hands-on. 

Some tips I have to get you through training are:

• Treat it like an actual day of work. Get plenty of rest and eat before you leave!
  
• Come prepared to learn. Be ready to obtain new information and have an open mind.
  
• Don’t overcomplicate things. I know it might seem difficult at first, but if your coworkers can do it, then so can you!
  
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Since I manage a gas station by myself, I ask my manager about all types of hypothetical scenarios so I know what to do when the time comes.
  

While there are plenty more things to consider when completing training, the steps 
listed above helped me tons getting through it. 

Step 4: Maintaining Your Work Performance
Once you have completed training, it is now time for you to put your skills to the test. Since I work at a gas station that only allows one person per shift (with the exception of the manager and trainees) I was quite nervous to handle the customers by myself whilst ensuring the gas station is clean. 

Below, I have compiled some tips to help you maintain excellence, regardless of where you work.

• Always perform your job to the best of your ability. I understand that a lot of people are underpaid, but you never know who might see your efforts.
  
• Don’t take rude customers personally. At the end of the day, you’re still getting paid for doing your job. I have dealt with numerous rude customers, and to be honest, it was not the best feeling being treated as less than human. However, there are always the customers who go out of their way to treat me with respect, so it is all worth it. 
  
  •  Ignore the customer if they start to make rude remarks and remain calm. Once they see your lack of reaction, they will most likely leave. If not, ask them to leave the premises, if they persist, don’t hesitate to call the police.
    
• Ensure to do (or at least try) all things asked of you. I am grateful to have a manager that acknowledges my work and I always try to go above and beyond for him. 
  
• Know your worth. Being overworked and underpaid is an unfortunate feature of working for a lot of jobs. If you ever feel as though your worth is being undervalued, put your talent elsewhere. There are jobs out there that will appreciate your hard work. 
  

While these tips are just the tip of the iceberg, they are the foundation for a great work experience. 

Working is a part of life. Everybody experiences it and will have different encounters each time. While my experience won’t relate to everyone, I have compiled advice that could help in a broader sense. Getting a job is not an easy thing and will take time. Don’t feel discouraged by getting rejected, there will always be a job out there that is perfect for you. Good luck to everyone that is looking for a job or already working!

Best of Luck,
~Camille

​

---

CAMILLE
She/Her

Camille is a writer at TWE who seeks to create articles that help teens across the world. She often finds herself unable to communicate her feelings verbally therefore putting all her emotions towards her writing. She hopes to create a safe space within her articles and inspire others to pursue happiness in their life.