Summer Jobs : Your first step in the world of work

By Aldain Reid - Gleaner Contributor


Landing that summer job brings many positives, boost in your spending power, the opportunity to get a taste of life in the world of work are both very appealing.


But this experience can be daunting at the same time. A million questions race through your mind, as this realisation sinks in, for starters, the delightful conveniences that you have become accustomed to - such as waking up at 3pm on weekdays when there is no class, or allowing your personal hygiene to slip on occasions, will now be a thing of the past.


The truth is, no matter where your summer work experience takes you, there are tremendous benefits to be gained and with the right approach, you can in fact have lots of fun along the way.

Be early


A big part of leaving a good impression is to arrive reasonably early, however, you must avoid arriving so early that you end up sitting in a deserted waiting area for hours. It would be a good idea to ask your supervisor beforehand what time you are expect to be at work and arrive 20-25 minutes before.


Dress conservatively


Dress codes will tend to vary depending on the workplace, and may be industry specific. As a general rule however, it's better to be overdressed and adjust later. Jobs that involve interaction with the public are generally subject to more specific dress codes than others. It would be wise to get a feel as to the attire of the current staff, or if doubt, ask your supervisor prior to joining.


Pay attention and show interest


It is vital that you pay attention during the introductory period, particularly to any company regulations that may be outlined, so you can avoid getting into trouble inadvertently later on. You will be introduced to a number of people as well. As best as possible, make an effort to keep track of who's who. Should you have any clarifications during the introductions, do not be afraid to ask . In fact, if you ask questions, it shows the people around you that you are a serious employee who demonstrates a strong interest in the work environment.


Keep a notebook


In the first few days, you will be required to soak up and apply a lot of information quickly. This notebook can prove to be a particularly handy tool at work. As soon as you learn something new that could possibly prove useful later, write it down! You will thank yourself.


Leave your image behind


Some of you will come in with rock-star, most-popular-girl-on-campus egos. It does not matter if you are God's gift to mankind and quite frankly, hardly anyone cares. Consider yourself one of the lucky ones, with a golden opportunity this summer; one that potentially may shape the rest of you life. Now is not the time to prove how cool you are, but how efficiently you can handle your job. Get over yourself!


Do company business on company time!


OK; so we all love Facebook, YouTube!, e-mail and text messaging, but the workplace is no place to engage in online or mobile social networking. Should you choose to engage in this practice, it will most certainly be to your own detriment. Additionally, no company will tolerate you treating yourself to a three hour lunch break, or spending most of your day on your beloved cell phone.

Get to know your co-workers ( Network! Network! Network!)


You will be spending at least eight hours a day with them, for the time of your summer job. It is a good idea to start making some new acquaintances. It is frequently said that in relationships that 'it's the little things that count'. The same holds true at the workplace. For example, remember to say hello and smile to the receptionist and cleaning lady on your floor. Be nice to the secretarial staff. These things may not guarantee a good performance review, but they definitely will not hurt! Take the initiative to meet people within your department and other departments. While you meet with all these people, let them know about the work you're doing and the impact it is having on the company. Don't boast or flaunt, but make sure people know what you're working on, what skills you're garnering, and how you're adding value to the company's bottom line. Always remember to keep your work relationships professional. If you happen to attend any social event hosted by your company, remember social events are not parties, they are work functions. Bear in mind that you are socialising with your colleagues, not your friends. Just because you're not in the office, it doesn't mean you're not at work. And just because alcohol is served at the event, it does not mean you must drink.


Be Proactive


Achieving success in a job is not based on your IQ, or your academic scores. It's all about how you proactively use your skills and abilities combined with your knowledge to create value and make a difference for your supervisor, team and organisation. Always ask yourself, "What else can I do to make this company better?" Be a step or two ahead of your supervisor at all times. Develop an ability to anticipate what needs to be done and do it. Also, identify what you can do to make your supervisor's job easier. Remember, the more successful you make your boss, the more success you will enjoy.


When it's all done


Now it's your last day of work; there are at a couple things that you must do before you leave. Ask your supervisor his/her permission to be used as a reference Before you use your supervisor's name on a resume, it is common courtesy to ask them first. Ask your supervisor for a performance evaluation There are some companies that do this automatically, but if this isn't the case, you should ask for this specifically. Although this might sound intimidating, doing this is important so you can identify the strengths and weaknesses in your work habits that you can work on improving. This will impact your performance at future jobs. A summer job can be one of the most exciting, and rewarding experiences of your career. It's also a very short time to begin to learn about all of the opportunities available to you in the future.

Make the most of your opportunity and try to have fun while you're at it too!





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