My son is about to turn 14, and therefore, also about to turn employable. Fortunately, he is eager to get out there and earn a little pocket money. He even asked for a suit for his birthday so he’ll impress on his job interviews. I mean, how cute is that?
Given that I’m sure his first job will involve asking folks if they want fries with their shake, I’m holding off on the suit. Instead, for his birthday, I’m passing along some gift-wrapped pearls of wisdom, all gleaned from my youth spent in customer service jobs.
So, without further adieu, Happy birthday, kid! I love you. And here you go.
Be On Time… By Which I Mean Be Five Minutes Early (But No Earlier)
Punctuality is important. Being on time shows that you respect your job, your employer, and your co-workers. Being on time, of course, actually means being five minutes early. Five minutes is the breathing room needed to collect your thoughts, put on your apron, and ask any questions of the co-worker whom you are relieving (and your co-worker will be pleased to be relieved on time).
However! There is really no need to be more than five minutes early. Occasionally, there may be extenuating circumstances that require it, but if you are expected to be more than five minutes early on a regular basis, then you should also expect to be paid for that time.
Do not undervalue your time or yourself. Just because you are young and inexperienced does not mean that your employer owns you (this is true of any job, at any age). Show your employer that you respect your own time and your own self, and they will respect you too.
Stay Late… But Never More Than Five Minutes Late
Just as it is respectful to arrive five minutes early, it is respectful to stay a couple of minutes late when needed, perhaps to answer a co-worker’s questions or to resolve an issue that occurred right before the end of your shift. But just as you shouldn’t be asked to arrive early on a regular basis, nor should you be asked to stay late on a regular basis unless you are being paid for it.
For all the reasons mentioned above. You’ve probably got homework and a hot dinner and a few TikToks waiting at home for you, plus you’re young and you need your rest. So go.
The Customer Is Not Always Right…
Newsflash: Customers are human beings. They are just as capable of miscounting change and forgetting to ask for extra pickles as you are. In other words, they make mistakes. They are not always right. Sometimes they are wrong. That’s okay. If the customer makes a mistake, you will help find a solution respectfully and politely.
And if you make a mistake? Kid, it happens all the time. My greatest wish for you on your first job is that customers will be patient and kind while you are learning. No customer has the right to be rude to you, or to yell at you, or to embarrass you. If they behave that way, they are wrong.
Oh, by the way, you also don’t ever have the right to be disrespectful or rude to a customer. It works both ways, of course.
…And Neither Is Your Boss
Your boss is, well, your boss. You need to listen to them and do as they tell you while you are on shift (unless they are regularly telling you that you have to come early and stay late without pay), and you need to use your manners.
But just as the customer is not always right, neither is your boss, not always. If your boss is rude, disrespectful, or belittling to you, then they are wrong. If your boss makes inappropriate comments or advances towards you, not only are they wrong, but they should be disciplined.
And if your boss is just an incorrigible, power-tripping, class-one jerk, then just quit. There are plenty of customer service jobs out there, and some bosses are actually nice.
Ask Questions
You cannot be expected to know what you don’t know, which, when you first begin a job, will be most things. Don’t worry. There will be a training period during which you learn how to wrap burgers and make change and operate the point of sale system and handle sticky situations. Use this opportunity to ask many, many questions. That’s what training is for.
But even after your training period is over, new situations will arise on the regular. What the fryer catches on fire? What if a customer slips on a pickle? What if the security alarm goes off in the middle of the afternoon? Don’t know? Neither do I! That’s why I’m asking.
A question is never stupid if you genuinely don’t know the answer to it. Ask, ask, ask.
It’s Okay To Have Fun On The Job
You go to work to earn money, but it’s really nice to enjoy your job. If you like your co-workers, take pride in your work, and have a little fun from time to time, that’s great. As long as you’re doing your job to the best of your abilities, of course.
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Aw. My poor kid. He turned 14 and all he got was some boring job advice. Don’t worry, readers. I also got him Lego.
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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Photo credit: Mahmud Ahsan on Unsplash