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First job worries and concerns

musicismylife78musicismylife78 Posts: 6,116
edited April 2008 in All Encompassing Trip
got my first job ever. Dont have much of a resume, never worked before, and will be working at Market of Choice, a west coast thing, sort of an alternative/health food conscious grocery store. Just basically getting something on my resume, and starting out and stuff like that.

My questions would be, any advice for this upcoming week, and my first day of work ever? I assume, I will be making many mistakes the first day, so any advice about that? I will be keeping the "jack Johnson" model in mind, of keeping cool and collected under pressure and stress.

What advice can all you experienced workers give a newbie like myself?
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • Bwalker545Bwalker545 Posts: 162
    Working isnt that hard. Just do what they tell you and be nice to the customers...always remember "Its my first day" works for about a week to the customers.
    "Almost unconsciously he traced with his finger in the dust on the table: 2+2=5" 1984
  • Jeremy1012Jeremy1012 Posts: 7,170
    The customer is NOT always right, you just have to act like they are until they have gone, then you can whip out the voodoo doll.
    "I remember one night at Muzdalifa with nothing but the sky overhead, I lay awake amid sleeping Muslim brothers and I learned that pilgrims from every land — every colour, and class, and rank; high officials and the beggar alike — all snored in the same language"
  • FifthelementFifthelement Lotusland Posts: 6,961
    You'll be overwhelmed, but it will get better. Try to learn from your mistakes and ask for help when you need it. Good luck.
    "What the CANUCK happened?!? - Esquimalt Barber Shop
  • Brain of J.LoBrain of J.Lo Posts: 3,259
    radiohead33 wrote:
    got my first job ever. Dont have much of a resume, never worked before, and will be working at Market of Choice, a west coast thing, sort of an alternative/health food conscious grocery store. Just basically getting something on my resume, and starting out and stuff like that.

    My questions would be, any advice for this upcoming week, and my first day of work ever? I assume, I will be making many mistakes the first day, so any advice about that? I will be keeping the "jack Johnson" model in mind, of keeping cool and collected under pressure and stress.

    What advice can all you experienced workers give a newbie like myself?

    Don't stress about it too much. You'll probably shadowing someone for the first few days, and they definitely won't expect you to know it all right away. I think that was my biggest fear before I started working...the thought that they would expect me to be an expert by the end of the first day. Ask questions and don't worry about whether or not you sound "stupid" for doing so.

    Good luck! I'm sure you'll do great. :)
  • PaukPauk Posts: 1,084
    Try to be as honest about any mistakes as you can. Doesn't look good if you sweep things under the carpet (although over time you'll learn ways of how to do it without being found out). Use common sense and you'll do fine.
    Paul
    '06 - London, Dublin, Reading
    '07 - Katowice, Wembley, Dusseldorf, Copenhagen, Nijmegen
    '09 - London, Manchester, London
    '12 - Manchester, Manchester, Berlin, Stockholm, Copenhagen
  • stuckinlinestuckinline Posts: 3,378
    get there on time
  • DOSWDOSW Posts: 2,014
    radiohead33 wrote:
    I will be keeping the "jack Johnson" model in mind, of keeping cool and collected under pressure and stress.

    That's a good strategy... mindset is probably the most important thing going into a new job, so having that mindset should really help you out if you try hard enough to stick to it.

    But really, it's nothing to stress about. The job sounds like it'll be pretty low-stress, so it should be fine. A little boring probably, but fine. Good luck.
    It's a town full of losers and I'm pulling out of here to win
  • toronado10toronado10 Posts: 239
    makes sure you're a few minutes early, ask a lot of questions, be positive about the experience, introduce yourself to fellow employees, thats about all i have for now.
    Take time to see the sky,
    Find shapes in the clouds.
    Hear the murmur of the wind
    and touch the cool water.
    Walk softly,
    we are intruders,
    tolerated briefly
    In an infinite universe.
  • mookie blaylock 10mookie blaylock 10 Posts: 4,042
    radiohead33 wrote:
    got my first job ever. Dont have much of a resume, never worked before, and will be working at Market of Choice, a west coast thing, sort of an alternative/health food conscious grocery store. Just basically getting something on my resume, and starting out and stuff like that.

    My questions would be, any advice for this upcoming week, and my first day of work ever? I assume, I will be making many mistakes the first day, so any advice about that? I will be keeping the "jack Johnson" model in mind, of keeping cool and collected under pressure and stress.

    What advice can all you experienced workers give a newbie like myself?

    be yourself, learn as much as you can, and like you said, stay cool. sounds like an awesome first job and your customers will probabaly be kind and patient people. good luck! :)
  • spongersponger Posts: 3,159
    here are rules that I take with me to work every day:

    1. listen more than I talk.

    2. smile a lot.

    3. do whatever I'm told.

    4. be punctual. In my case, it means punctual with projects. Since I'm on salary, punctuality in terms of showing up to work on time doesn't matter. I try not to be late to meetings, however.

    5. Never, never, never brag. Never brag.

    6. Never brag.

    7. People like to talk about themselves. Get them to talk about themselves.

    8. Don't talk politics, religion, or sex under any circumstances.

    9. Never brag.

    10. Comb hair, iron shirts, brush, floss, use mouthwash.

    11. Do not gossip about anyone. Walk away from gossipy conversations, but walk away stealthily.

    12. Let someone know right away if you need work to do.

    13. Manage your time wisely. Think of your day and how it will go before you show up.

    14. Don't complain. If you have a g/f or wife, complain to her when you get home.

    15. Maintain good posture.

    16. Walk briskly.

    You'd be surprised at how hard it is for most people to follow those simple rules, and how quickly those who do follow those rules stand out from their fellow co-workers.

    From my experiences, quality, accurate work is secondary to professionalism and people skills.
    reigning champion

    http://forums.pearljam.com/showthread.php?t=272825
  • GraySaturdayGraySaturday Posts: 2,878
    sponger wrote:
    here are rules that I take with me to work every day:

    1. listen more than I talk.

    2. smile a lot.

    3. do whatever I'm told.

    4. be punctual. In my case, it means punctual with projects. Since I'm on salary, punctuality in terms of showing up to work on time doesn't matter. I try not to be late to meetings, however.

    5. Never, never, never brag. Never brag.

    6. Never brag.

    7. People like to talk about themselves. Get them to talk about themselves.

    8. Don't talk politics, religion, or sex under any circumstances.

    9. Never brag.

    10. Comb hair, iron shirts, brush, floss, use mouthwash.

    11. Do not gossip about anyone. Walk away from gossipy conversations, but walk away stealthily.

    12. Let someone know right away if you need work to do.

    13. Manage your time wisely. Think of your day and how it will go before you show up.

    14. Don't complain. If you have a g/f or wife, complain to her when you get home.

    15. Maintain good posture.

    16. Walk briskly.

    You'd be surprised at how hard it is for most people to follow those simple rules, and how quickly those who do follow those rules stand out from their fellow co-workers.

    From my experiences, quality, accurate work is secondary to professionalism and people skills.

    I think this is honestly a great list. And number 11 on that list is SO important... DO NOT gossip about your co-workers to any other co-workers ever. No matter who says what and tries to drag you in. You NEVER know people's alliances and who they are friends with. Co-workers will stab in the back for a chance to get ahead. So watch yourself.
  • Drop The Leash 10Drop The Leash 10 Posts: 7,011
    radiohead33 wrote:
    got my first job ever. Dont have much of a resume, never worked before, and will be working at Market of Choice, a west coast thing, sort of an alternative/health food conscious grocery store. Just basically getting something on my resume, and starting out and stuff like that.

    My questions would be, any advice for this upcoming week, and my first day of work ever? I assume, I will be making many mistakes the first day, so any advice about that? I will be keeping the "jack Johnson" model in mind, of keeping cool and collected under pressure and stress.

    What advice can all you experienced workers give a newbie like myself?
    im in search of my first job haha, how old are you? if you dont mind me asking.
    I will be what i could be
    Once I get out of this town


    9/29/04;6/27/08;6/30/08;8/23/09;08/24/09;5/17/10
  • GreenTeaDiseaseGreenTeaDisease Posts: 3,359
    what are you doing there? it would make it easier for us to give you advice.
  • LONGRDLONGRD Posts: 6,036
    so you'll be working at one of those organic alternative grocery stores?

    just be cool, i guess. don't hit on too many hippie girls ;)

    ...and fellow some of sponger's list there he gave you but not too much, because it gives out the idea that you're a "company guy"...no one likes "the company guy" if you're trying to make friends with them. it's like being a teacher's pet.
    PJ- 04/29/2003.06/24,25,27,28,30/2008.10/27,28,30,31/2009
    EV- 08/09,10/2008.06/08,09/2009
  • vduboisevduboise Posts: 1,937
    Assumption is the mother of all fuck ups- assume nothing.

    Don't act like you know anything. Go in there with a clear head and even if you think you know how to do the job within 30 min- play like you don't until you know the lay of the land (about a week or so).

    Follow most of the list above- but definitely don't try too hard.

    And above all- arrive on time- all the time. It makes a difference to your bosses and to your co-workers. No one likes to take up someone else's slack.
  • spongersponger Posts: 3,159
    LongRd. wrote:
    ...and fellow some of sponger's list there he gave you but not too much, because it gives out the idea that you're a "company guy"...no one likes "the company guy" if you're trying to make friends with them. it's like being a teacher's pet.

    This is true. I am seen as a boss's stooge at my job and I have enemies because of it.
    reigning champion

    http://forums.pearljam.com/showthread.php?t=272825
  • musicismylife78musicismylife78 Posts: 6,116
    Drop The Leash 10 wrote:
    im in search of my first job haha, how old are you? if you dont mind me asking.

    I am 24, indeed some of you will laugh or say I am wierd, but I didnt have a job in high school, and was lucky enough to have parents who paid my tuition in college. That may make me sheltered or whatever, but its the truth and things are changing as my post indicates. Although lets be honest there are many people who work during the college years, but there are many too who dont work. I was the latter.
  • harmless_little_f***harmless_little_f*** Posts: 8,005
    radiohead33 wrote:
    I am 24, indeed some of you will laugh or say I am wierd, but I didnt have a job in high school, and was lucky enough to have parents who paid my tuition in college. That may make me sheltered or whatever, but its the truth and things are changing as my post indicates. Although lets be honest there are many people who work during the college years, but there are many too who dont work. I was the latter.

    I wasn't working til I was 24 either, it scared the fuck out of me at first.. The idea of working gets easier and you learn that everyone knows as little as you do. Everyone's learning.
    'We're learning songs for baby Jesus' birthday. His mum and dad were Merry and Joseph. He had a bed made of clay and the three kings bought him Gold, Frankenstein and Merv as presents.'

    - the great Sir Leo Harrison
  • Jeremy1012Jeremy1012 Posts: 7,170
    radiohead33 wrote:
    I am 24, indeed some of you will laugh or say I am wierd, but I didnt have a job in high school, and was lucky enough to have parents who paid my tuition in college. That may make me sheltered or whatever, but its the truth and things are changing as my post indicates. Although lets be honest there are many people who work during the college years, but there are many too who dont work. I was the latter.
    I got my first job when I was 18 but only through necessity. I wanted to go to a festival and my parents paid for the ticket so I needed £170 by the end of the summer :D Otherwise, I might have gone a while longer without a job. Whether people laugh or not, as you say, you've been lucky enough not to need one but you should enjoy this and learn from it. I felt like I became a lot more mature with regards to money once I started earning it myself.
    "I remember one night at Muzdalifa with nothing but the sky overhead, I lay awake amid sleeping Muslim brothers and I learned that pilgrims from every land — every colour, and class, and rank; high officials and the beggar alike — all snored in the same language"
  • geniegenie Posts: 2,222
    radiohead33 wrote:
    I am 24, indeed some of you will laugh or say I am wierd, but I didnt have a job in high school, and was lucky enough to have parents who paid my tuition in college. That may make me sheltered or whatever, but its the truth and things are changing as my post indicates. Although lets be honest there are many people who work during the college years, but there are many too who dont work. I was the latter.

    24 and only started work? awesome!!! i've been working on and off just as i turned 16, my first manager was cool though, coolest manager i'll ever have in my entire life probably. however i will think of a way not to work in future, or work only part time cause frankly i don't want to spend all my life working for the man........and living off the land, doesn't seem like a bad idea now.......hm......;)
  • GreenTeaDiseaseGreenTeaDisease Posts: 3,359
    radiohead33 wrote:
    I am 24, indeed some of you will laugh or say I am wierd, but I didnt have a job in high school, and was lucky enough to have parents who paid my tuition in college. That may make me sheltered or whatever, but its the truth and things are changing as my post indicates. Although lets be honest there are many people who work during the college years, but there are many too who dont work. I was the latter.

    out of pure curiosity, what did you do during the 8 summers you were in high school and college? what have you been doing since you've been out of college? summer was for working where I grew up. ice cream scooping, waiting tables, babysitting, working at the mall, lifeguarding, slaving over a deep fryer, bagging groceries...my parents paid for college too, but I still worked in the summer and had various assistant and tutoring positions during the school year. You can't possible travel EVERY summer of your youth, so how did you spend all that time???
  • harmless_little_f***harmless_little_f*** Posts: 8,005
    By the way, when you get to the end of your first week, write about it in here :D

    http://forums.pearljam.com/showthread.php?t=283435
    'We're learning songs for baby Jesus' birthday. His mum and dad were Merry and Joseph. He had a bed made of clay and the three kings bought him Gold, Frankenstein and Merv as presents.'

    - the great Sir Leo Harrison
  • LONGRDLONGRD Posts: 6,036
    radiohead33 wrote:
    I am 24, indeed some of you will laugh or say I am wierd, but I didnt have a job in high school, and was lucky enough to have parents who paid my tuition in college. That may make me sheltered or whatever, but its the truth and things are changing as my post indicates. Although lets be honest there are many people who work during the college years, but there are many too who dont work. I was the latter.
    24 and never had a job??? :eek: I knew everyone had some sort of a job through college, whether it's a work-study job or a parttime job, it was still a job. I started when I was 16 and still barely have any $ in my savings account.
    PJ- 04/29/2003.06/24,25,27,28,30/2008.10/27,28,30,31/2009
    EV- 08/09,10/2008.06/08,09/2009
  • Bwalker545Bwalker545 Posts: 162
    Keep your pen out of the company ink...at least for a month!
    "Almost unconsciously he traced with his finger in the dust on the table: 2+2=5" 1984
  • LONGRDLONGRD Posts: 6,036
    Magus wrote:
    Keep your pen out of the company ink...at least for a month!
    you know, i didn't know what that meant until i read mookie's thread. one of the best slogans i've ever learned. thanks mookie, you're a trooper! :)
    PJ- 04/29/2003.06/24,25,27,28,30/2008.10/27,28,30,31/2009
    EV- 08/09,10/2008.06/08,09/2009
  • inmytreeinmytree Posts: 4,741
    radiohead33 wrote:
    got my first job ever. Dont have much of a resume, never worked before, and will be working at Market of Choice, a west coast thing, sort of an alternative/health food conscious grocery store. Just basically getting something on my resume, and starting out and stuff like that.

    My questions would be, any advice for this upcoming week, and my first day of work ever? I assume, I will be making many mistakes the first day, so any advice about that? I will be keeping the "jack Johnson" model in mind, of keeping cool and collected under pressure and stress.

    What advice can all you experienced workers give a newbie like myself?

    Remember this: Anything you say can and will be used against you...

    my point, watch what you say and to whom...

    and it's work, not happy fun time..


    Good luck...
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