First Job. Have You Spoken with Your Children?

"You don't always have to know the answer, but you do always have to know how to find out the answer."
My kids work for us first, so a lot of advice they get on the job. My oldest gets a lot of, "If I tell you to do it and I"m paying you for it, you DO IT." And my second oldest usually hears, "Leave the customers alone. Yes, I know they like to talk to you but they also want to eat their dinner, just clear the plates and let them be."

The rest is by example.

Hi L.. One thing to talk about is going by company policy and learning why companies have the policies they have. Young people aren't always able to "see" the reasons for policies and they may discount them, or not know when to apply them.

It's easier if you understand something about his job to help him, but even if you don't, at least bringing it up with your child will help.

Dawn

Dress code too and to dress nice for interviews. Also ro be a curteous to fellow employees and everyone in the public you deal with. If you have work clothes with a business name on them and are off work, but still wearing thwm remember that will still reflect on the company also if you have a lot of clients you never know where you will see them. Not things I was ever told really.

I think a lot of these things are in general life rules, not just rules for employment. I know one thing that I appreciated in an employee was problem solving skills and being able to fix an issue before it became a problem for all. In addition being able to ask for help when it was appropriate.

My kids live by example. As such I have never feared getting them jobs where I work. That has never bitten me in the butt.

To answer I have never talked about rules, they just know.

Teach them how to make change.

Invite them to bring job scenarios home that they are unsure about. Discuss them. It'll be easier for them to discuss it with you than the boss (probably).

My concern is the employers. I remember being asked to do unethical things and being exposed to unseemly situations and vulnerable to being taken advantage of. I'll be having a long talk with my child when she's ready for a job. And I'll be checking out the employer, too.

Much to my dismay my SD is very much a person who doesn't want to do something if she "doesn't like it." She also is not into finding an answer if she doesn't know it, she wants someone to tell her.

I tell her all the time "figure it out" when she comes to me asking a question she could easily figure out! I'm also trying to get her to realize that it doesn't matter if she "doesn't like" something, you often have to do things you don't like.

She also gives up easily. If something doesn't work out right away, she gives up! So we work on all of these things because they are skills she needs when she grows up and gets a job.

On the positive side she's a happy person, she's creative, she does a job well once she fully understands it and she has wonderful people skills! I hope when she makes it to adulthood she will be able to work in the field of her choice.

No, I haven't talked with my children, nor do I plan to. I may give them a reminder here and there, but these are things that they already know.

I consider this common courtesy, and yes, we do teach this to our boys. Now, before they go out on their first job interview, we will give them some pointers. But the basics should already be in place.

I have spoken to my kids about this kind of stuff but don't worry about it too much. I think my children have learned by example by watching their parents. We're never late for appointments, always respect others, etc., etc.

I have talked to my son about good work ethics - he's had a part-time job now for almost a year and by the comments he's gotten from his supervisor, he's doing a great job.

I think my parents were great teachers and I'm raising my kids pretty much the same way. I have two great kids!

Great stuff so far. I want to add the importance of looking the person in the eye when you are talking to them. Also, you don't have to like everyone you work for or with but you have to be polite and treat them as if you do like them.

Yes ma'am, no ma'am, or sir
cell phones definitely
counting back change, Girl Scout cookies and Cub Scout popcorn have really helped with this.
to read back the items ordered, both my hubby and I worked in a restaurant and when the waitress does not read the items back to us we say to the kids how much more helpful it is when they do so, not in front of the waitress though.
To wait when you are leaving at night to walk to gether with employees to the parking lot.
Take responsibilities for your mistakes.

Many times our habits teach the children without us having to say them out loud.
My husband is always early to his job, my son has been too. Even his pizza job in high school, he would flip out if he were only 5 minutes early.
We always make our children yes ma;am, yes sir us, so when they meet another adult it is automatic.

We have talked about the importance of having a good work ethic and integrity. Knowing and using good manners is important, and treating all people, whether they be the receptionist, mail boy or the CEO with kindness and a human respect. But these are just part of all life aren't they?

Also, my children are 4, 5 & 7, so I doubt whether much has stuck there. I also totally agree with Talkstotrees in that being able to think and solve problems is far more important than having a degree or diploma.

As an employer, I cannot stand it when my staff will not even try to come up with a solution for simple problems. Luckily, most of them can and do.

I interview college students all of the time and I cannot stress enough presentation of yourself.

I do not care what the job is ... always show up in a suit that has been pressed. It could be a suit from Target. It does not matter. It shows that you took the effort to care.

It is better to be overdressed then under dressed.

Also, bring your resume with you and make a good list of questions pertaining to the position and the company.

My daughter started baby sitting we talk to her about things like how to respect bosses and proper business rules and such, we tend to talk about those things as they come along.