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“Go Find A Job!” - Out of the Mouth of Babes

by Darlene McDaniel on May 24th, 2008

I am very excited to share my guest blogger with you, Jennifer McDaniel. Jenn is my daughter who has successfully completed her first year of college. She is home now, taking a much needed break before going back to school in the fall. Unfortunately for her, mom hasn’t changed that much, and she is back in the big bad world working this summer, but I am getting ahead of myself. Our theme day this month is all about kids, and I thought it would be fun to have my daughter share her perspective on what she has learned from me about getting a job. Enjoy!

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“Go Find a Job!” By Jenn McDaniel

“Go Find a Job” - those four words have rung in my ears for two summers now. The first time, after I graduated from high school and the second, when I came home from college this summer. I thought I was going to get a vacation.

“Tell me a little about yourself,” remember that post? That used to be a question that stumped me. I always wondered what were you supposed to say to that question, your favorite color, your likes, and your dislikes? I had no idea. Mom always talks about selling yourself. That question gives you an opportunity to separate yourself from the rest of the group. It gives you an opportunity to make the interviewer’s job easier (or harder) in selecting a candidate. For example, I recently had an interview with The Cheesecake Factory. The first question the lady asked me was to tell her about yourself. When that question gets asked when I am interviewing for a serving position, I always start with my personality and my love for large groups. I am very outspoken and outgoing. I smile a lot and it can get people’s attention quickly and effectively, I have fun with large amounts of people and that is what I believe leads to my success as a server. I didn’t get the job because I didn’t have enough experience, but I know with mom’s advice in my mind, I know I made a good impression and I know I will definitely be considered again when I apply again next summer.

Hint #1: Be yourself, be confident about who you are, and be able to share who you are in a clear way.

Mom has always taught me when it comes to finding a job in general persistence is the key. Last summer I worked at a café-bakery called Panera Bread. I worked there all summer and during a little bit of school, but had to leave because working off-campus wasn’t really working. Winter break came and I needed money for spring semester. I called my boss to get on the schedule. He told me to call the next week and he would see what he could do. I would forget to call or call too late and the next thing I knew, 2 months had gone by and it was time to go back to school– with no money. I just finished my first year of college and those infamous words came ringing in my ears - “go find a job.” I called my boss at Panera Bread constantly to get back on the schedule. At the cost of being a little annoying, I got myself back on the schedule and I am back to work.

Hint #2: If you really want the job, NOTHING should stop you from doing everything that you can/need to do to get it. If you want it bad enough, the hiring manager will see that. TRUST ME!

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There you go, my daughter lives with me pushing her to get up and out of the house and go to work. What she didn’t mention to you is in both cases, after high school and this past summer when she came home, she found the jobs, or went back to work, the first day she went looking. Persistence is critical to your success in landing a job. Knowing who you are and what you bring to the table is also critical. Take it from my daughter. If there is anything she is learning, she is learning how to land a job quickly. Given our job market right now, that is a great skill to impart to my daughter. I trust that she will be part of my legacy. Especially if she teaches her children.

Feel free to leave her a comment below! They are priceless!

Image Credit: Newscomm

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POSTED IN: Guest Writers