How to Make the Most of Yours and Find the One That’s Right for You
Throughout the past few years, I’ve had quite a few part-time jobs; some were bad, some were okay, but my current one is amazing. I work at an elementary after-school program at home, so whenever I go home for breaks or long weekends, I work as many hours as possible. Part of the reason for this is because the pay is nice, but it’s also because I love my job. I have an incredible boss who’s extremely understanding, coworkers who have become good friends, and kids we look after who never fail to make me laugh.
As I previously mentioned, I have had many part-time jobs, and it took me a while to find one that made me happy to go. So, here are some things I suggest when looking for a job.
- Apply to a multitude of jobs. No matter how good your application may be, there is a good chance you may get rejected for a few jobs. There’s also the possibility some companies won’t respond at all. So it can never hurt to send out many applications.
- Carefully read the description of the job and hourly wage. It may sway your opinion one way or the other.
- Ask questions! If you make it to an interview, make sure you ask them questions too. Such as, what is the working environment like, what opportunities to move up/ for a pay raise, what are some company values, etc.?
- Talk to other employees, or see how they act while working. For example, do they all look exhausted and worn out? Or are they energetic and upbeat? How employees act at work can tell you a lot about the environment there.
- When you do get a job, make the most of it! Try talking and becoming close to the other employees. It’s always fun to meet new people and make friends, and working with people you like is enjoyable.
- Embrace the good. Do you get an employee discount, or can you eat free ice cream all day? That’s awesome and should be taken advantage of because it will make the job much more enjoyable.
- Know when to quit. For me, an indicator that it’s time to quit is when I dread going to work every time. It can be nerve-wracking to leave, especially if you don’t have another job lined up, but continuing to work at a bad job can be detrimental to your health. No one should deal with cruel bosses or bad working conditions. You have to do what’s best for you, and sometimes, it’s quitting your job.