Fast Fact Notes Chapter 4

Chapter 4 – The World of Work
Getting a J-O-B!

Joining the workforce is key to being in charge of your life’s progress, as well as making money to fund your present activities and future plans. So why does “work” sound like such a dirty word?

We all do it, and without working, many of us would be homeless and broke! Nevertheless, it still seems like “work” and “job” are associated with being bossed around for a wage. In reality, these things can be true, but work can also be rewarding, fun, and a great way to meet people. By following the lessons taught in this chapter you will have all the tools you need to get the job you really want.

Overall, the goal of work is to generate income to live the lifestyle you want now, while planning for future retirement. Trying different jobs can help you determine your interests, expand your social network, and gain valuable life experience.

Of course, finding a job that suits you takes determination, but if you are armed with a positive attitude, it is not as hard as you might think.

Are you ready to enter the World of Work?
If you want to find a good fit, then a good start would be to answer these questions:

• What are your interests?
• What do you think you want to do in the future?
• How much money do you need to earn?

 

What if I have interests, but I have no idea what I want in a career?

Focus more on what job interests you have now, as they will likely evolve over time. But it’s fine to just think about a potential line of employment that will give you enough money to pay your bills and save some money for investing and “emergencies.”

Money Pros have jobs that them pay enough now and match their current and future interests.

 

Search and Employ
Talk to everyone you know - ask if they have any contacts. Parents, family members, and teachers can all help if they know what you are looking for. Give them a copy of your resume. This is basic networking, and is always the best way to get a job. As well,

• Read the paper – check out the classifieds
• Get Online - The Internet is fast becoming the best source for classified job listings.
• Hit the pavement - Stop at places you would like to try for a job

What Employers Want
No matter the job, whether it is a waiter, a clerk in a clothing store, or an administrative assistant in an office, employers are usually looking for the same traits in each person they hire:

• Motivation!
• Punctuality - on-time arrival at work, and that you work your full shift.
• Positive attitude – even when the going is tough.
• Sociable - the ability to get along with your co-workers and customers.
• Communicator – you can express yourself verbally, without slang, and that you speak clearly. Plus, in some jobs, the ability to communicate your thoughts clearly in writing.
• Leadership skills – are you a born leader? Or do you wait until someone says “jump”?
• A good investment –they might be paying you, but at the end of the day, some of the skills you will learn on the job are part of a company investing time and money in YOU.  Show them you are a good investment!

The Application - “Name, Address, Date of Birth…”
Filling out job applications can be tedious when you are on the hunt. Employers use these forms to gather the basic information they need so they can determine whom to interview. This is especially true for entry level positions.
Most of the time you will fill out the application at the employer’s office. Have what you need with you:

• Resume
• Social security card
• Driver’s license (if you have one)

Complete the sample application and use it as a cheat sheet when you go into apply. That way you will have all the information asked for on the application, all in one place.

Read the entire application so you understand how it is organized. You need to follow the directions carefully. More employers are using online applications, which makes it easier to correct mistakes – but still try to read the questions twice and answer once, correctly.

Remember

• Fill in every question, or risk your application being considered incomplete and discarded.
• Be consistent with the information on your resume.
• Don’t leave anything blank. If a question does not apply to you; for example, How many kids do you have? Respond “not applicable” or “n/a.”
• Do not write “see resume,” but certainly attach a copy if you have one prepared.
• Proofread the application before you submit it! Look for misspellings, errors and anything that may not be legible. Being neat does count.

Above all else, be truthful. Embellishing on the facts or making up lies about interning for Donald Trump will mean a short-lived job, one way or another. Everybody gets caught, eventually. And this could send out red flags for the rest of your career if the employer spreads the words about your lying ways.

If you do have something questionable in your past, be ready to explain

For example, if you were fired from your last job as a burger flipper, you could write “job ended.” Focus on your strengths with the information you provide.

Often at the interview, though, the employer asks more questions about how the job ended, exactly. Be prepared to answer carefully and truthfully. For instance, “My boss and I decided that I would be better suited to a different career, since I am very interested in working in an office environment.”

References
Make sure you ask the people you want to list as a reference before you add them on an application, so as to give them a heads up that potential employers might be calling them to talk about you.

Your contact information - voice mail and email
I can’t say it too often – first impressions count. Get that rap song off your voice mail message on your cell phone. Change it to a professional sounding message. Speak clearly and be upbeat.

If your email address is an inappropriate name, change it. Change partygirl@wild-chix.com to something more professional like firstname.lastname@mail.com.

A killer resume
If you are just starting out in the world of work, you will be keen to find a job with a good wage that suits you. But there is one invaluable tool to sealing the deal on your first employment gig – a killer resume. Remember, a resume is a marketing piece. Here are some tips for maximizing your impact:

• Instead of listing responsibilities at past jobs, list accomplishments.
• Don’t list hobbies on a resume unless they are relevant to the job objective.
• Don’t include religious or ethnic affiliations unless they are relevant to the job. Unfortunately, including them can invite pre-interview discrimination.
• Unless you are trying to get a job as a graphic artist, keep the resume simple. No weird paper or pretentious brochures.
• If you have little or no job experience, list volunteer work. If you have gaps in your work experience, remember to include unpaid volunteer work and self-employed stints.
• If a prior job title does not convey all the responsibility that you had, list the employer’s job title and add your description. For example: Store Clerk (Customer Service Representative).

Starting out in the world of work is the time when you will pay some dues, build an employment history, learn to work with a supervisor and develop good work habits. Remember, too, that you are gaining experiences and making contacts that will be useful in the future.

Money Pros present clean and complete applications, including resumes, to prospective employers. They understand the value of making a good first impression.

 

Getting ready for the Interview
Do your homework and get some information about the company you’re interested in. If it is a company that you really want to work for, go the extra mile to learn as much as you can. Things to look for include:

• Mission statement – defines the core purpose of the organization, it might be found in their ‘About Us’ section.
• Area of expertise – Do they have a special product, unique way of service, or something else that makes the company unique?
• Recent positive news about the company – If the company just expanded into a new state, you may want to ask; “What effect will the expansion of XYZ Corp into Arizona have on my potential for working up to a higher position?

 

Write down what you think you can bring to this employer, not the other way around. Take your research and boil it down to three key attributes that you want to get across to the employer.

Presentation tips
Grooming! Yes, that means brushing your hair and teeth, and possibly even ironing your shirt! If you do not take the time to dress right, it tells an employer that the job is not that important to you. These are important details to get right before the interview:

Fashion Sense
If you are still unsure what to wear, call the Human Resources department before your interview. Most companies have rules or guidelines for their staff. Another way to check is when you stop in to pick up an application - make a note of what the receptionist and any other employees you see are wearing.

If in doubt, dress conservatively; wear a shirt or blouse, and trousers or skirt.

Before your Interview
Before you enter the interview, you need to build up your confidence and get into a positive state of mind. Most people are nervous before interviews (I was), but follow these suggestions and you will be confident, have fun and land that job!

Deep breaths: Reeelaax - At the start, thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet you. It is natural to be a bit anxious about what you are going to be asked and what you are going to say. Relax yourself and remember to listen carefully.

Be yourself – of course, be on your best behavior, but there’s no point them hiring a fictional person. So act how you will act if you should get the position.

Don’t be nervous – remember, this is just an interview. The worst that can happen is that you don’t get hired.

Review the job posting and company research. Knowing what the company is looking for and basic information about the company will put you far ahead of other candidates.

Practice what you intend to say out loud. Go over your stories and the points you want to get across to the employer.

Pump yourself up! You are the right candidate for the job. They cannot do any better than you.

Keep your eye on the prize: Eye contact - You want to look the interviewer in the eye, but this is hard to do when you are feeling nervous. A trick is to slowly look from right eye to left eye, and to the mouth, in a triangle pattern.

Body language speaks volumes in everyday life and it is even more important for job interviews. Did you realize over 50% of the impression you give someone is from your body language? The words and tone you use account for the other 50% - see the next point). Smile and have a firm handshake, even if you are nervous. Keep your back and shoulders straight and do not slouch when seated. This helps keep your breathing steady and will steady your nerves.

Conversation counts - The person interviewing you is trying to find someone that he or she is confident can fulfill the job requirements and fit in with the company. Have fun, enjoy the conversation and try to find things that you can both talk about in a relaxed way. Is there anything on their desk that also interests you? That could be a perfect conversation starter.

Follow-up
Everything you have learned up to this point will give you the edge when applying for a job. Follow-up is the last part of the edge equation. After your interview, drop off a thank you card.

 

How to evaluate job opportunities
Once you have had success applying for jobs and you have a few offers, it is time to compare your employment opportunities and things that are important to you in a job.

Environment - before deciding on a specific job, go in and check out the
work environment: do you like the people, boss etc.?
Pay - Is the pay enough for you to stay on your budget?
Schedule - Can this job accommodate your schedule?
Insurance - Medical and dental insurance are benefits you definitely want to have an employer offer.
Distance to travel to work - It is important you choose a job within an
acceptable distance to you.
Vacation time - Work hard, play harder... how much time will the employer give you off for vacation?

If you evaluate these key areas, you can select the best job for you and your lifestyle, hopefully leading to a longer-term career opportunity.

Money Pros are well-prepared for interviews and present themselves appropriately before, during, and after. They get offered most of the jobs that they apply for, and pick the job that they like the most.

 

You will learn something at every job you hold, whether it is a new skill or something about yourself. Be on time, be positive and go the extra distance. Learn all you can, and over-deliver. If you show initiative, you will build a good reputation. People will feel comfortable recommending you to another employer. Or you might even receive a promotion and a pay raise!

Sometimes, thought, there are problems that might make you want to quit – problems that have nothing to do with the job itself, such as Bosses from Hell.

Taking direction with respect is a key to successfully navigating the world of work. However, this can be difficult if you find that your boss is a nightmare to work with. It can happen.

Ask for a private meeting to discuss your grievance. Setting the meeting at a future date will give you time to remove any emotions from the conversation. Take a hard look and ask yourself: Could I have done something to provoke the situation, even if it was not intended?

There are always two sides to a work relationship. You may learn something about your behavior or work habits that needs to change if you are going to fit in. Or, perhaps he/she is having troubles at home that are interfering with their work.

Or, maybe, they’re just a jerk. Depending on the situation and the employer, you may be able to talk about your situation with Human Resources. They can help guide you. This is a resource that you should use if you need it.

You’re worth it!
Always know your worth. Are there other places to work at a similar job that may have a better, more productive environment?

Be true to yourself, family, and friends first. A job is a job. Show your loyalty by working your hardest, but never stay with an employer who isn’t holding up their end of the agreement through fair compensation, a good work environment, and opportunity for personal growth.

Money Pros are well-respected at work and are the ones that who receive promotions and raises. They are paid well because they know what they are worth.

 

Pay Day – Understanding your paycheck
You scored a job that you like and have at last received your first paycheck. When you enter the job world, understanding how your net pay is calculated may be confusing.

Statutory Deductions (social security, income tax withholding, etc.) are taken out of your gross pay automatically. Other deductions are voluntary.

Benefits
Employers will offer a compensation package, of which salary is a part. In addition to your actual salary, your employer incurs other costs in hiring you, and many employers list some of these expenses as “benefits.”

Vacation Pay
It is possible to negotiate for more vacation days in lieu of additional salary from some companies. Paying you for time away from the job, and shifting employee schedules to cover for your absence, does have a cost, but more progressive employers will consider this as an option.

Health Insurance
Most people get their health insurance through their employers. As part of this group plan, dental insurance, life insurance and disability income insurance is often included.

Dental insurance
Dental is not always included in group policies, but if it is offered, the premiums can be small if you go to a dentist in the plan.

Life and Disability Insurance
Premiums for term life insurance and disability are fairly inexpensive, and many employers cover these lesser premiums.

Disability income insurance
This is often overlooked. Like I said above, death may seem unlikely (fingers crossed!), but the chances of becoming “disabled” or unable to work for an extended period are greater than most people realize.

What if you want a bigger paycheck?
So, you’ve been employed for a while, and possibly you feel you are pulling your weight and increasing sales or improving services. Do you think you should be making a bit more money? If so, then do your research. Find out about pay rates in the industry. If you are excelling in your job and know that your employer is happy with your performance, you can use this to your advantage.

Naturally, most people are afraid to ask for a raise. The fear is that they will not get the raise and ruin the relationship. But if you don’t ask, you don’t get.

Know when to ask. If the company is experiencing cutbacks or slow sales, it’s not the time.

Getting more education
Statistics show that you can earn $9,000 per year more (on average) by getting your master’s degree. If it would take you three years longer, cost $70,000 to get your master’s degree, and you would be $208,900 behind if you forgo a job to attain a master’s.

Three years of work - earning $46,300 =             $138,900
Cost of graduate program                                       + 70,000
Total cost                                                                  $208,900

If you’re earning your graduate degree for a personal achievement – go for it! Some careers might require additional education, and if that is what interests you, it can be an excellent investment in your future.

If you think of it as a sure path to earn more money, you should first take a hard look at your budget and potential for return on this investment. Before you take the leap, take into account the time it will take to pay off the extended education.

Money Pros get the necessary education to excel at the career of their choice.