Are You Job Ready?

PREPARING TO GET THE JOB

Being job ready means you will need to be familiar with the skills employers are looking for in a potential candidate. Make sure you have a good resume that shows your history in employment, education, qualification and others categories. It is also important to have a list of references.

Prepare for the job interview, by reviewing interview questions employers typically ask. If you get the job, congratulations! There will be one last thing you will need if you are between the ages of 14-17, and that is a work permit.

Lastly, keep also in mind as with any job if you are not close to the job site, transportation is important and critical to maintaining employment.
Learn the bus routes or arrange the day or night before how you will be getting to the job site.

What Employer's Look For

Employers repeatedly say if they could find workers with the skills below, they would hire them. Below are skills employers value in their employees:

Quality of Work

Employers will evaluate their employees’ performance based on several criteria. Quality of work is one of those criteria. You should take pride in the work you do and make every effort to ensure that your work is of the highest quality possible. The way you complete assignments for a class sets the tone for the way you will complete tasks on the job.

Quantity of Work

Employers expect to get a day’s work for a day’s pay from their employees. You should realize this and motivate yourself to maximize your productivity. A student who is able to complete all assignments accurately and well is establishing good work habits.

Working Relationships

Job survival is dependent on one’s ability to work well with others. Group projects will be assigned as part of your course requirements. You will be evaluated on your ability to get along with others and your ability to solve problems that may arise.

Attendance

Good attendance is critical to keeping a job. It costs employers when their workers are absent from work. Your employer will count on you to be present to get the work done. If you are repeatedly absent from school you might not graduate. It is important to develop good work habits now by attending school regularly.

Call In Procedures

If you are going to be absent from work it is important that you notify your employer. Try to give the employer as much advance notice as possible. This common courtesy will give the employer a chance to call another worker to cover you.

Positive Attitude

Employees who excel have a positive attitude and remain professional in challenging situations. Fellow colleagues will respect and appreciate you if you focus on your work and not engage in office gossip. Employers will notice your hard work, which could lead to simple things like attendance at a conference and/or further training within or outside the company and eventually you may receive a promotion, raise and a positive employee review.

Interview Questions

Be familiar with the company and the job. Learn as much as you can about the company and the job; it shows you are interested.

Go over your answers to common interview questions:

Tell me about yourself.
Why do you want to work here?
Have you done this type of work before?
What are your strengths?
Why did you leave your last job?
When can you start?
What hours can you work?
Can you work overtime?
How much are you expecting to be paid?
Do you have references?

Questions you may ask the Employer/Interviewer:

How many people work here?
What are some challenges of this job?
What opportunities are there for advancement?
Will I receive any special training that I need?

How To Obtain a Work Permit

Anyone between the ages of 14-17 is required to obtain a work permit.

How Do I Get a Work Permit?

Work permits are issued by your school district. You can obtain a work permit at the School Department. Holyoke residence can go to the Holyoke School Department located at 57 Suffolk Street, (413) 534-2000.

Youth ages 14-17 must obtain a work permit before starting a new job. A Physicians Certificate of Health is required only for 14 and 15 year olds.

When Do I Get a Work Permit?

You must first receive a job offer from an employer.
Ask the employer to complete the Promise of Employment section of the work permit form.
If you are 14-15 years of age, ask the physician to complete the Certificate of Health.

For further information about work permits or to learn about Child Labor Laws, please visit the Mass.gov website.

Transportation

Being on time is critical to employers. Limited travel methods could affect your ability to arrive on time. It is best to prepare in advance especially if you have no car and rely on others for transportation. It is recommended that you have a back up plan especially on bad weather days, which causes delays.

Things to consider:

Drive your route ahead of time
This will give you and idea as to the amount of time it will take to get to your job.

If you have to take the bus
Review the bus schedule and become familiar with drop-off and pick-up locations.

Depend on a reliable friend, relative, other…
Call your ride the day before