Teens and the Job Game

FAQs

Answers to Some Frequent Questions about The Search, Job Interviews, In the Workplace Issues.

The following are questions and experiences you might face as a new job hunter or as someone who is currently on-the-job. The answers will help you understand and navigate the work environment.

If you have a question about work that you would like answered, please visit the Ask the Author section to find out more information about how to submit your question.

The Search

There is a lot of talk about the difficulty of getting summer jobs. What advice do you have for teens looking for summer or part-time work?

Changes in the economy always present challenges to those seeking employment. However, there are always some fields and types of jobs that are open to new employees, even in tough economic times. The key is to be open-minded about different types of work and to take advantage of all job search options there are available.

For example, today there are many positions in health care and technology. If you have good computer skills, you may find great opportunities in many fields. Try applying to medical offices, small and large businesses of all types, and don't forget large department stores who almost always have openings.

Make sure you know all the ways to search for work:

Study the classified section of your local newspaper.
Speak with your school guidance counselor about possible opportunities in the community.
Check out the various teen job sites in the Career Resources page.
Develop a resume of your school/past work or volunteer experience and send it out to various organizations in which you would like to work.
Don't be afraid to contact organizations directly about their summer hiring plans—Be assertive!
Remember to dress appropriately for any type of interview—no jeans or revealing blouses or sweaters.
If you are offered a job you're not too crazy about, or feel is beneath you, you may want to try it out for at least awhile. If you work well, you may be given more experience, and no matter what job you have, you learn important skills in dealing with people in the workplace.

My daughter was interested in possibly joining the Peace Corps as she had heard that by volunteering w/ the Peace Corps, she would not only enjoy the benefits of the work she would be doing with them, but she understood that like joining the military, she would gain $ for college tuition for her efforts. Since then, I checked into the Peace Corps to find that is not how they operate. Do you know of any voluntary organization she could join just out of high school similar to the Peace Corps—that would provide her with $ for college?

A. Following is some information that I hope will help you and your teen in her decision to do some type of voluntary work after high school. Based on the Peace Corps website, it appears that there are some financial benefits when one joins the Peace Corps. They include some pay and living expenses depending on the community where the volunteer will live and work. In addition, volunteers can defer repayment of student loans under several federal programs, and the volunteer will receive $6,000 when it is time to transition back home. This money can be used as you wish. The issue with the Peace Corps is that it is a 27 month commitment, and although they accept volunteers beginning at age 18, most of their volunteers have at least some college. You can find out much more information by checking their website at: http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.whovol. The site has a section entitled “Financial Benefits” that details the pay information.

In terms of other voluntary organizations, you might also want to check out Cross-Cultural Solutions. This organization is similar to Peace Corps, but the volunteer need only give from 1 to 12 weeks at a time. It is an independent organization—not federally funded, but has many of the same characteristics as the Peace Corps. I spoke to one of their representatives, and she noted that while Cross Cultural Solutions will pay for housing and food, there was no allowance toward college tuition. There are “internship” programs with Cross Cultural Solutions, and sometimes colleges will accept credits from the internship. A student would choose the field he or she would like to work in, and they would place the student in a particular type of work program.

Finally, there is a great web resource that is actually a guide to many Internship, Apprenticeships and Volunteer Opportunities. It is called the Riley Guide. Here, you can find information on numerous programs and read about their specific entitlements. There are obviously many different types of volunteer/internship programs open to high school grads and college students.

What would be the better choice—take a volunteer job that will give me some experience for my career, or accept the part-time position on weekends and after school that doesn't have much to do with my career choice?

This can be a challenging decision as you look forward to embarking on further studies in your career, yet want to make some money. Ideally, it is always best to obtain a part-time or summer job that will match your career interests. This is one way for you to test your career choice and be sure it is something that is appropriate for you. However, as a teenager, it may be challenging to find a part-time or summer job that meets this need.

One question you need to answer is how much you need the funds from a part-time job. Will it mean a lot to you to have your own income, however small? Will the part-time job be your first experience in the workplace? Will the volunteer opportunity still be available if you decide you want to take it after a few months of working? Will the job be available in the future, for example, in the summer, after you have done some volunteer work? Can you fit in your schedule both volunteer work and work for pay?

I know these are a lot of questions, but they can help you make your decision. The important thing for you to consider, however, is how much the volunteer work will help you understand and prepare for your future career. Volunteer work in an organization that will help you gain a full understanding of your career interest is very important. Many times, teens think they want to have a certain career, only to find out when they begin to volunteer in that field that it really doesn't suit them. On the other hand, volunteering in an organization that will expose you to your future career may give you new insight that will make you want it even more. Volunteer work also gives you experience in the workplace, even if you don't make any money doing it. You have to follow the same rules as employees, and will have to interact with managers and co-workers in a responsible and professional manner.

It would be ideal if you can work part-time, and still find time to fit in some volunteer work. However, this is a tall order when you are still in school. You don't want to forget the important need to spend time on homework, and getting good grades. So, if you don't really need the money right now, the volunteer work may be the right choice.

I'm a 17 year old girl going on my first interview for a part-time job in a store in the mall. How should I dress? When you go on any job interview, you need to dress appropriately. If the interview is for a job in a large business, you would need to wear a suit (skirt, blouse and blazer). When interviewing for positions in retail stores, you may not need to be as formal, but you should wear a nice skirt, blouse and blazer, or skirt and sweater top. You can also wear a tailored pants suit. Remember that the skirt should not be too short, nor the sweater or blouse revealing. The first thing that a manager will notice when you walk in the door is how you dress. You can certainly be stylish, but err on the conservative side.

Once you get the job, take your cues on dressing from your manager, and the rest of the staff. If you see most of the staff wearing pants and sweaters, its probably okay for you to wear them as well. If you are in doubt, ask your manager about the dress code. Many times a manager will tell you the dress code.

A rule of thumb is this: Always look professional when going on a job interview, and always look and be professional on the job!

As a teen, is it best to look for a job on the internet or use more traditional ways such as looking in newspapers or calling businesses?

There are many ways to look for a job today, and a teenager can and should use the many available options to find a job. The internet has numerous jobs search sites for teens and you can access some of the largest sites by clicking on the career resources section of this website. In addition, don't forget all of the more traditional ways you can search for work: (1) checking listings for part-time or summer work in your local newspapers, (2) contacting local businesses directly, either by phone, or by sending a resume to the store manager, (3) networking with your friends or friends' families by asking them if they are aware of anyone or anyplace that is hiring, and (4) checking with teachers and/or guidance staff on job resources in the local community. Some schools may have set-up opportunities for internships in the business community.

As you search for work, remember to always keep looking until you receive a firm job offer. Sometimes young people are interviewed and told they probably will be hired. If that happens, ask the employer when you can expect a firm job offer. If the offer is expected within a few days, it is okay to wait. You should also follow-up with the employer if you don't hear from him or her. However, if the promise of a job is vaguer, don't stop looking. What may seem promising may not provide you with that job you had hoped for. So, don't give up looking until you are sure it's a sure thing.

Before getting a job, why do you have to give personal information like your social security number on the job application?

—Alfonzo, Massachusetts

This is a very good question. Employers ask for a candidate's social security number for two reasons: (1) It is a person's unique identifier. Your social security number is unique to you, and therefore if the employer wants to verify past employment or school graduation records, checking your name against your social security number will ensure they are identifying the correct individual. (2) A person's social security number is also a Tax ID#. In order to get paid by an employer, you must have a social security card. Federal, State and Local taxes are calculated based on your salary, and sent to the taxing authorities. Even if someone comes from another country to work in the U.S. for the summer with a valid work visa, he or she must go down to the social security office to obtain a social security number. This number is then registered with the employer, and the person's income is taxed accordingly, with the social security number serving as the unique identifier for that person.

Please remember to secure your social security card in a safe place, and be cautious about how it is used. Employers must have your social security number, and certain other institutions such as health insurance companies. As your unique identifier, you must protect it, so that your identity is not stolen. Identity theft can be very difficult to rectify if it occurs.

Job Interviews

The following are questions and experiences you might face as a new job hunter or as someone who is currently on-the-job. The answers will help you understand and navigate the work environment.

If you have a question about work that you would like answered, please visit the Ask the Author page to find out more information about how to submit your question.

What kind of questions will an employer ask a teenager on a job interview?

An employer will be aware that a teenager cannot have a great deal of work experience, and therefore will tailor interview questions to discover what skills the applicant has. The employer will also want to assess the personality of the teenager. For example, does he/she appear friendly, have a good attitude, have a high energy level, is flexible, etc. The employer may ask the teen what he/she does best? What does he/she excel in? Of course, the employer will ask specific questions related to the job. If it's a job waiting tables in a restaurant, the employer may ask if the teen can work well in handling dishes. The employer may ask how the teen likes working with people. Is he/she organized? Can he/she handle a high volume of work?

When a teen is preparing to go on a job interview, he/she should learn as much about the job as possible. Then, he/she will be able to answer the questions for greater ease.

What should a teen wear to a job interview? Do you dress differently for different types of jobs?

In general, teens should dress conservatively for a job interview. That means first of all, dressing neat and not wearing jeans, sneakers, or anything provocative. Then, there are some differences in how you should dress when going on interviews for different types of jobs.

If you will be working in an office environment, particularly in a large company, girls should wear a skirt, blouse and blazer, or business-type suit for an interview. Boys should wear a suit, or nice pants, shirt, tie and blazer.

For less formal jobs, such as in small offices, retail stores, and restaurants, you can dress a little more "business casual". For girls, that means wearing a nice pair of pants with a tailored blouse or sweater. For boys, nice chinos, a shirt and tie, or shirt and blazer without a tie.

Even if the work environment is more casual, you should dress nicely for the interview. Then, discuss the dress code with your manager once you are hired for the job.

If you are going on an interview for a volunteer job, you should follow the same guidelines as that for paid jobs. When you are a volunteer in an organization, you are like an employee, so you want to give the same good impression as if you were in a paid position. Many volunteer jobs are in hospitals and other non-profit organizations. You should use "business casual" guidelines as noted above for this type of interview.

Remember that many volunteer positions can lead to paid positions, so you want to put your best foot forward when interviewing for these positions.

The job market for teens in the past several years has been very competitive. It is even more so today with a tightening economy. Therefore, you will want to make the best impression you can on your future employers. Dressing appropriately for the job interview tells the interviewer you understand the work environment, you are interested in the job, and you want to make a good impression.

As a teen, what kind of pay can I expect for my first job? Should I ask for a particular salary when I interview for a job?

When you are just starting out in the job market, you may not make much more than the minimum wage when you work in certain places like a supermarket, department store, or small retail business. There are federal and state minimum wages, and you must get paid the higher of the two. You can find your state's minimum wage on the Department of Labor website. However, depending on your age, and the type of work you do, you can be paid higher than the minimum wage. For example, if you are hired into a cooperative program with a large business, you are likely to make more money, but again, that will depend on the business.

As a teenager just starting out in the work world, I understand you want to make some money to begin to have a sense of independence and a way to buy the things you need and want. However, as a teen, the experience you will gain by working at any type of job is far more important than the salary you make. You may not realize it, but even in the most mundane job, you are gaining important skills as you learn to navigate the workplace and interact with colleagues and managers. Then, when you have worked at one job, you have gained experience for the next and the ability to make more money.

Regarding the job interview and asking for a particular salary: Whether you are just starting out in the workplace or have worked for many years, you should not mention your salary requirements unless asked by the interviewer. The purpose of the job interview is for the interviewer and you to determine if you are a fit for the job. If the manager thinks you are qualified for the job, and you are interested in taking the job, usually the manager will discuss salary with you. Before you go on a job interview, try to get a sense of what a similar job would pay. Therefore, if there is a discussion about salary, you will know if what you are being offered is fair. Unless you have had prior work experience, and have made more money than what is being offered, it is usually best to accept a fair, if not ideal salary. If you have had experience, and the salary offered is less than what you have made before, and the job is comparable or involves greater responsibility, it is okay for you to mention your previous salary and what you had anticipated as a salary. Hopefully, the manager and you will come to an agreement on a fair salary amount.

Before getting a job, why do you have to give personal information like your social security number on the job application?

—Alfonzo, Massachusetts

Why do you have to be interviewed instead of just getting the job?

—Eric, Massachusetts

Eric, when an employer is looking for someone to fill a job, he or she is looking for a particular type of person to fill a particular job. Every job involves a specific level of experience and type of person. Sometimes a person could have the necessary experience, but may not like a particular type of work, or have a personality that doesn’t fit that particular job. The interview process allows the employer to find the person who is the right fit for the job. When someone is interviewed, the employer takes into account the person’s background and experience as well as the person’s general attitude, personality, communication skills, and many other things when thinking of the job that must be done.

There are some jobs that almost anyone can do. These are usually clerical type jobs that involve things like reception work, filing or light computer work. But even in these types of jobs, you may need to know what type of computer skills someone has, or if the person can speak well on the phone. If you want to do part-time work as a waiter or waitress, the employer will want to know if you can carry a lot of dishes, whether you like working with people, etc. You can’t be a good waiter or waitress if you can’t lift, or have a scowl on your face.

That is why every young adult needs to prepare for a job interview for even what may be considered the most basic job. An employer will be looking at everything about you to make a decision if you are right for the job.

I always get nervous when I have to go on a job interview. How can I be more confident and relaxed when I go on an interview?

This is a common problem, especially for young people who are new to the work world. You don’t know what to expect, and maybe you have never been employed or had only a first job. However, even experienced workers can feel flustered at an interview. The first thing you have to remember is that you have something to offer the employer, and think about what it is about yourself that you want to impress on the employer.

Before you go on an interview, be sure that you have prepared a resume. Even if you have never worked, think of work-type activities you may have performed at school, at home and in your neighborhood. Did you baby-sit, do yard work for someone, help an elderly neighbor, help in a fund raising activity in school or church, etc. All of these things are a type of “work” you accomplished. Also, be sure to mention those skills in which you excel. There are many resources on writing a resume, and I have sample resumes in Teens and the Job Game. Your parents or a teacher can also help you put one together. It should just be a one page summary of your work and special skills.

As you are putting your resume together, think about all of your skills and strengths. You might be especially skilled at math or computers, or writing, or communicating with other people. These are special skills you should mention on your resume, and also remember when you are in the interview. Also, remember things that are important to the workplace such as time management and organization. If you are organized, and manage your time well, these are important strengths you should keep in mind when speaking to an employer. If you think through all of your skills and strengths, you will begin to feel more confident as you go into the interview, because you will realize what you have to offer.

Also, if you go into the interview dressed appropriately and are on-time, remember you are making your first good impression. Even if you are a little nervous, don’t forget to smile at the person who is going to interview you. Make eye contact. Shake his or her hand firmly. Offer your resume for her review. Most employers will ask you to elaborate on points you mention on the resume. This is why it’s so important to have a resume. You are giving the employer a frame of reference, and you will be familiar with what he or she is going to ask you. Speak in a confident voice. Ask questions as they come to mind when the employer is explaining about the job. It will show the employer that you are thinking and curious. As the employer is telling you about the job, think of all the ways you can be of value in that job. Mention these to the employer.

Finally, remember that most employers realize that young adults have not had too much experience interviewing. They will cut you some slack for nervousness. However, if you are prepared for the interview – being appropriately dressed and providing a resume—you will make a very good first impression. The more interviews you go on, the more confident you will get. Just give it time, and realize that you have something that the employer needs.

See the Career Resources page for more information and resources on interviewing skills.

I have just graduated from high school and I am trying to secure a junior position in my career field. So far, all of the employers I have interviewed with say that they need someone with more experience. How can I gain experience if no one will hire me and try me out?

This is a very common experience for new graduates, on both the high school and college level. It can be very frustrating to come out of school with new skills and not find an employer willing to give you a chance. First of all, don’t give up! Finding work in this competitive world means that those who are more experienced will usually have the first chance at a job. However, when you meet an employer who is more open to hiring young, inexperienced people, he or she will give you a chance if you appear mature, make a good impression in the interview, and can state your leadership abilities evidenced in volunteer work, or special projects you may have been involved in when you were in school.

Sometimes you might have to accept a job that is more junior to the one you applied for. If this is your first foray into work after graduating, it may be worth taking the junior job and moving up the ladder. If you read Teens and the Job Game, you will note that I had to take jobs for which I was overqualified several times over my work career. Sometimes I volunteered in facilities that were related to my career interest, while I worked in another company for money. Remember that every job and volunteer experience is a stepping stone for the next level.

Remember These Important Job Interview Tips:

Dress appropriately for the interview. Don’t wear jeans or sneakers, no matter how casual you perceive a work site to be.
Girls: Wear a nice skirt and sweater or blouse with a jacket if you have one.
Boys: Wear nice pants with collared shirt and blazer. If you are interviewing at a major corporation or financial services firm, you should wear a suit and tie.
Always leave plenty of time to arrive on time for the interview. It’s better to be very early, than to be late.
Remember to always to walk in an employer’s office with a smile. Have a firm handshake.
Check over your resume one last time before you leave the house.

In the Workplace

The following are questions and experiences you might face as a new job hunter or as someone who is currently on-the-job. The answers will help you understand and navigate the work environment.

If you have a question about work that you would like answered, please visit the Ask the Author section to find out more information about how to submit your question.

What should I do if I sense co-workers are jealous of me?

Unfortunately, jealousy in the workplace is as common as jealousy outside the workplace—with friends and family. Jealousy is such a basic human feeling as people tend to feel they need to be better than others, or work better than others, and especially that they should be given recognition over others. However, jealousy is not a good human characteristic and it could lead to some very unpleasant outcomes.

You are probably asking this question because you are sensing some of those unpleasant outcomes. Jealous co-workers may do things such as putting others down, talking behind their backs, refusing to cooperate with co-workers, holding back work, etc. A person who is the victim of jealousy needs to remember the importance of remaining professional at all costs. This means you have to ignore the remarks, and be creative in trying to win cooperation from the jealous person. This is not easy, but in the end you and that jealous person may even become friends. Many times, jealousy results from an individual lacking self-esteem. If you befriend that person, and make him or her feel comfortable that you are not a threat, the manifestations of jealousy may actually disappear, or at least ease up.

I experienced jealous co-workers all through my career. Their jealousy took different forms. I still talked with them, worked with them, and cooperated with them even though I knew they might not like me, or even try to belittle me. It was sometimes not easy to deal with, but in the end I got my work done, and remembered what was most important—I had a job to do, and I concentrated on getting that job done to the best of my ability.

What should I do if I see a co-worker stealing in the workplace?

When you see a colleague doing something like this in the workplace, it can be very disconcerting. You don't want to be considered a "rat", and yet it is very important to uphold the integrity and ethics of the workplace.

Stealing anything in the workplace is wrong, especially if it relates to someone else's equipment, money, or other possessions. You should bring this type of behavior to the attention of your manager. Your manager should know how to deal with it without implicating you as the one who brought the matter to his or her attention. Your manager will probably have ways to involve security, or other appropriate person, in watching this individual and ultimately catching him or her in the act.

What if I take a summer job and within the first few weeks, I realize that I don't like the work and I'm not happy to be there?

We don't always like what we do at work, and sometimes we realize that we have accepted a job that we are not really suited for. In the case of a summer job, unless you have another job opportunity, and since the job is only for the summer, I would make the best of it. Not every job, nor every aspect of a job may please us totally, but this is what life is all about, and we have to learn to adjust to sometimes disappointing situations.

Even though you may not like your summer situation, it’s important to realize that you are still gaining valuable work experience. You may look back a few years from now and realize that you learned important workplace lessons in that job. Just be careful that you don't let your performance slip if you are in such a situation. Sometimes when one doesn't like where one works, there's a tendency to not want to work as hard. You may not feel motivated. However, it's very important you try to do your best. You may need a reference from this job to get the next job. In addition, sometimes when we put our good efforts into a job, we may be surprised that we are given more responsibility, and then our feelings about the job may turn around.

In the meantime, try not to worry about the possibility of not liking your summer job. Try to focus on finding a job that is most in line with your interests and skills. In that way, you can have more confidence that you will be happy in that job.

A co-worker at work openly criticizes my ideas. How should I handle this?

This is one of those very disconcerting experiences in the workplace. A co-worker's criticism of your ideas could be based on jealousy or bad humor. It is bad taste and unprofessional behavior for any employee to criticize another open. Even if one's ideas may not be the greatest, a professional employee would never criticize a co-worker in front of others.

The best strategy to handle this situation is to discuss your feelings with the co-worker about his or her open criticisms. You need to let them know how you feel in a calm and professional way, in private, and that this type of criticism is making you very uncomfortable. You should ask them politely to cease this type of behavior. Once you confront the co-worker—always behaving professionally and calmly—the co-worker should back down.

Employees should never hesitate to express ideas, and they should feel comfortable doing so. Managers value employees who express ideas, and it is your manager who is the important judge of your ideas. Keep those ideas coming!

Why is everyone doing drug tests now?

—Alex, Massachusetts

Alex, I remember when drug testing started. It was about 20 years ago in mostly large corporations and health care facilities. Today, most large employers will ask you to take a drug test. Most states and local governments permit a business to conduct a drug test as a condition of employment. However, the employee must be told in advance that he or she must have a drug test in order to be employed.

It’s important that an employer know that you don’t do drugs. Young people that do drugs cannot perform their work optimally. Even when an employee tries to hide drug use after he or she is hired, it is common for the employee to have more absences and lateness than other employees. When you are applying for a job, an employer wants to ensure that he or she is hiring someone who will do their best at the job they are hired for. Anyone impaired by drug use cannot do their best, and employers are also taking a risk that a person who uses drugs might steal from others or from the company in order to pay for drugs.

I had two experiences with staff who started to take drugs after being on the job awhile. At first, I didn’t know why their work was starting to falter, and then I was tipped off by some other employees about what was going on. Unfortunately, one individual who was doing cocaine had to be let go, because she began stealing from the company to support her drug use. The other individual eventually asked for help, went for treatment, and came back to work and began to excel in his work once again.

I am working in a part-time job and doing my best at work. However, my co-workers are goofing off a lot and getting away with it. What should I do?

This can happen in the workplace, and it is unsettling to the worker who is dedicated to his or her job. In most cases, when you see co-workers goofing off, it is very likely that your manager also sees this. You may not be aware of it, but the workers who are not doing their jobs might receive a poor performance review, or may ultimately be given a warning prior to termination if their behavior is interfering with their productivity.

If the “goofing off” becomes very distracting, or is getting in the way of your own work and productivity, it is time to address this issue confidentially with your manager. You want to be sure your manager knows that you are not part of this behavior and wish to do your job. Be professional when you go to your manager. Tell your manager that you are trying to do your job, but are distracted by others who are not paying attention to their work. You may not have to name names, but it will give your manager an idea that things are getting out of hand, and he will take care of it from there. Your manager will know that you are responsible and want to do your job well.

Why can’t family go in the same register line that you are working?

—Jasmine, Massachusetts

Jasmine, I assume you’re talking about working at a cash register in the store and you have been told by your manager that he doesn’t want a family member going on your line. If that’s the case, there could be a few reasons for this. The manager might have had a situation where a worker did not charge the full amount to a family member for her groceries. It could also be that maybe workers at the cash register have stopped to talk to their families and it created a back-up in the line. It could just be store policy that, in order to avoid any type of fraternizing during work hours, or wrongful behavior at the cash register, the store set a policy to avoid any of the above situations.

I remember once I went into a store where a friend was working the cash register. I noticed she was very formal with me and I thought it odd. Later on when I talked to her, she told me that she had to treat everyone the same, and that she didn’t want her boss to see her talking to me too much, especially with other people behind me on the line. So, I can understand why your manager may have this policy in place. In the workplace, we have to be sensitive to “conflicts of interest” meaning, taking care of someone you know perhaps better than someone else, or putting someone we know first on line, when others should go first, or giving someone we know a job, rather than someone who is more qualified. The policy of your store is probably set to avoid these conflicts of interest.

I am working for a manager who I feel is not very nice to me. I do my job, but sometimes he criticizes me in front of the other staff and it’s embarrassing. What can I do about it?

Not every manager has good management practices. While every employee should be open to constructive criticism and understand what he or she needs to improve, it is also important the manager approach that employee in the right way. If the criticism is appropriate, the manager should not criticize you in front of others. He or she should bring you into his or her office and explain what it is you may be doing wrong. Most managers will not criticize you without reason, but some managers are human and sometimes you can be at the receiving end of a manager’s bad mood.

In this case, ask to speak to your manager privately and explain to him or her that you are embarrassed that he or she criticizes you in front of others. Tell your manager that you are open to improvement, but are very uncomfortable with how you are approached. Hopefully this will make your manager more aware of how he or she approaches you with criticism, and the open criticism will stop. If you feel that your manager is overly critical, also ask him to explain what you may not be doing right. Be sincere about wanting to correct any issues, and tell him or her that you want to maintain a good working relationship with him or her.

I have a summer job in an office and have been given very simple tasks to complete, such as filing, writing short letters and bringing mail to mailroom or to other offices. I’m getting very bored and feel like I can do more. What should I do? This is a common problem of young people in summer jobs or high school students working part-time during the school year. Employers realize that you are new to the workplace, and usually give the most junior tasks to new employees. Employers usually watch how you work very carefully, and if you are quick in what you do, and do it well, they will usually add more tasks to your workload.

If you just started that summer job, give it a little time to see if your employer adds to your workload. If your employer doesn’t add to your duties, and you feel you could be doing more as you observe what goes on in the workplace, you can ask the employer if there are other tasks you could help with. If you see a particular thing you can do and would like to do, mention this to your employer. This will show your initiative, and the employer should be pleased that you have asked for more work.

I just started volunteering in a hospital and I am working with a lot of different people depending on where they need me each day. I am embarrassed that I can’t always remember the names of the people I work with since I have met so many workers already. How can I get better at remembering names?

I have actually experienced this problem. When I worked in a large company as a manager, I met a lot of people from different areas. Sometimes I would not remember their names the next time I met with them. I tried to “fake” it by just saying hello and hoping that someone else would call them by name. Sometimes it worked. A better way to remedy this is to try to associate something about the person with their name. For example, you meet Helen and Helen has short black curly hair. Try to make a mental note of that, and maybe even write it down.

If you are new on the job, it will still take time to get to know everyone by name. You may even remember them at first, and then forget their name again. Try to relax about it. You will get to know everyone in time.

I am working in a very hectic office and have been given several jobs to do at once. How can I work on all of them and do them all well?

Whenever you are given multiple tasks to do at work, you must first know what jobs are the most important to complete first. If your manager has not prioritized your work, but just handed you one thing after another, you need to speak to your manager and find out what are the priorities. Those tasks must be tackled first. One mistake many employees make is that they don’t ask questions. They try to tackle everything at once, or just one thing, and maybe it’s not the right thing to start on first. When you ask your manager how you should organize your work, you are showing initiative and good judgment. It will also help to reduce the stress of handling a lot of things at once. You will know what you need to tackle first and then go on to the other work.

How do you deal with a difficult co-worker or supervisor?

—Yvette, Massachusetts

Yvette, the first thing to remember is that no matter how difficult a co-worker or supervisor can be, you must always respond professionally. Difficult co-workers or supervisors are one of the major challenges everyone faces in the workplace at some point in their lives. I would be able to answer this better if you could give me an example of how the co-worker and supervisor are difficult because each case can be different. In the meantime, I can give some general advice:

Depending on the circumstance, you may just have to deal with the difficulty the best you can. This means not talking back to a co-worker or supervisor, but remaining professional and patient. If you think that the co-worker or supervisor is approachable, you can think about speaking with them privately about what it is that is bothering you. Think about how these individuals are being difficult, and how you would like their behavior to be different. The ideal situation is for you to approach the difficult co-worker and ask to speak with him or her privately. Explain how their behavior is affecting you. This should be done in a very calm and professional way. You can say something like, “I feel that what you are doing/saying is affecting how I am working. I would like us to get along, and work together better.” Hopefully the co-worker will realize that he or she cannot “throw his or her weight around” or not be cooperative. Sometimes I found that if someone was not nice or cooperative with me, if I just kept being nice and helpful to them, somehow they got the message and starting behaving better towards me.

Regarding supervisors: I have experienced a difficult supervisor and this is how I approached it. I asked to speak with her privately and told her nicely that I was upset by her behavior toward me. My supervisor never liked her staff being out sick. In my case, I had a few months of poor health that was unusual for me. When I came in from a few days out sick, my supervisor was very cold and short-tempered with me. When I went into her office, I closed the door and told her that I realized I have had some problems with health lately and that I was doing my best to manage my health. I then pointed out all of the work I had been doing in the office. Nothing had fallen behind. I told my supervisor that I was dedicated to my job and wanted to support her in every way. As soon as I entered her office and began speaking with her, her attitude immediately softened. We talked very calmly. She realized I was a good employee and told me that her manager was looking at her staff’s absences and that’s why she was concerned. In the end, we worked together very well.

Whenever you face difficult people at work, the key is always to be professional. Remain calm, even though you may be boiling inside. Assess the situation you are in. Think it through thoroughly before you act. In the end, you’ll find the right time to address the individuals who may be uncooperative.

I’m an 18 year old female, and a few weeks ago I started working in a part-time job in a large office. There are some other students working there also, both male and female, but they are not very friendly or helpful to me. In fact, I feel like they are purposely ignoring me and don’t want me part of their group, even thought I say hello and try to talk to them. It’s making me feel very uncomfortable. What should I do?

Unfortunately, this is something that can happen when you start a new job. This is something that happens when you are dealing with immature or jealous co-workers. Fortunately, it is not very common, but it is very disconcerting when you feel like an outsider.

When you have a clique or group of employees that are around the same age as you, and you are new to the workplace, sometimes this group might be threatened by you. Maybe they fear you will be better than them. Maybe you got a job that they wanted. There are many reasons for this type of behavior. It is really very immature behavior. However, usually things will get better. Gradually, as this group gets to know you, they will “invite you in”. Maybe it will start with one or two persons from this group beginning to talk to you or help you in what you need. Then, the others will usually follow suit.

In the meantime, you need to remain professional. You need to say hello and talk to them, even if they don’t start the conversation. If they are talking about something that you know something about, join in the conversation. They’ll begin to listen to you and you’ll probably find something in common. Above all, don’t let their lack of sociability get in the way of your work. The most important thing is that you pay attention to your work. You will find that you’ll meet other, more friendly people at that job as time goes on, and you’ll want to develop a good working relationship with those whose cooperation you will need the most.

Remember These Important Tips about Dealing with Workplace Conflicts

Never lose your temper or speak crudely to another employee or manager.
Assess the situation fully before you decide to speak with a manager or co-worker about a situation.
Always address workplace issues with an individual in a private area. Do not discuss conflicts in front of others.
Always be the professional, even if others don’t act like one.