Thursday, July 16, 2009

You know you just graduated from high school when...

Dear Teenagers in the greater Philadelphia area,

It's time that someone taught you about responsibility. Or at least about taking on responsibility in your life. I'm sure that by now you've realized that at some point soon (especially if you're getting to the middle of your college career, or are approaching your college career) you need to get a job. Ideally one that could blossom into a career. There are a few things that you need to consider before going on on the job hunt.

1. Wear appropriate clothing. A cut off T-shirt from American Eagle and sweaty hair is not approapriate "I'm a responsibile human being, please hire me" attire. Neither are flip-flips, board shorts, or any other summer clothing. I know it's hot out because it's the middle of July, but dress nicely. Even khakis and a polo would be far better than what I saw you wearing today.

2. Be polite. Walking up to a receptionist desk while smirking, leaning over the desk, and then pronouncing, "We want jobs" is not okay. Not even a little bit. Saying "We want jobs" makes you sound like the missing link. Not to mention it really doesn't want anyone jump up and down and say "OH THANK GOD YOU'RE HERE! YOU CAN START TODAY!" We especially don't want you to follow with, "We don't care what the job is. We'll clean your floors." That just makes you sound really really desperate.

3. Know your boundaries. Asking the person sitting at the receptionist desk a lot of questions about her personal life is not acceptable. In fact, it's kind of creepy.

4. Persistence is key, but let's not go overboard. Asking for the number of a business is a step in the right direction. But don't call five minutes after leaving and then say the same "I want a job" demand. I really think it's time that you spoke to either your parents or your school counselor, or both, about appropriate business actions. Since you're so desperate for jobs (and want to clean floors apparently...) might I suggest retail? Retail is generally always hiring. Also, some free advice... when someone says that their business is in a hiring freeze, that means they can't hire anyone. At all. For anything. We aren't being rude, it's just the way that it is. No reason to throw a temper tantrum.

5 comments:

Fidgeting Gidget said...

This is seriously what is wrong with the world today. Everyone has this "sense of entitlement" that they are just automatically owed something without working for it. It's because many kids these days aren't ever told "NO" by their parents or anyone else in a position of authority.

I could continue rambling, you know, like about how when I was teaching they told us that it could be "damaging" to a child to grade their papers in red pen or to give them an F *GASP* if their work was sub-par, but I won't, I'll spare you. :)

Joanie said...

sounds like you had a fun day today.

Bayjb said...

Wow can we include this for kids in Wisconsin too? I feel old saying this, but damn you're right.

lacherie_17 said...

I agree with your post, although I'm guilty of wearing flip-flops to the office...lol

I also think we should stretch this to kids in Ohio, and add "please wear pants that cover your butt and shirts that don't show half your cleavage". I can't imagine going to a doctor whose pants sag down to his ankles.


http://lacherieandme.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

you talk too much lady