Advice when searching for a job
The end of my “illustrious” basketball career marked the beginning of a new era for me: the life of a working American. Since my pro basketball contract never came through, I opted instead to get a job for the remainder of the school year and summer before college.
The process of looking for a job is mundane, to put it mildly. Like counting how many wolverines you come across the in the senior alcove, there is not much action.
One must go to the finest establishments in town, such as Subway, and gingerly ask for a job application. The sweet lady behind the counter will be delighted that such a young person is interested in furthering the domination of corporate conglomerates (like Subway) and hand you a one-page, photocopied document.
Now, you must remember to retrieve a handful of these job applications to diversify your search, and then fill them out neatly so that the manager doesn’t sense irresponsibility in your sloppy handwriting.
The truth is every business like Subway and Panera and The Gap gets tons of applications every day. You just don’t see them. They are stacked in a pile in the back room in between the fax machine and red stapler.
In addition, you are like every other high school student who can only work nights after school.
A predicament. What is the solution?
I have two answers:
Approach Mr. Sam Smith in the Student Services Office. I talked to him for a few minutes describing the type of work I’m interested in, and over the next few weeks he showered me with plenty of opportunities. I am quite thankful and highly recommend all who are seeking a job to meet with him.
You just have to know people who know people. I recently landed a job at Espresso Royale Café, because I knew an employee who worked there. She tipped me off that someone was fired recently and suggested I take the initiative to talk to the manager, who happened to be in at the moment, and express my interest. From there I was awarded an interview, and the rest is history.
The job market can be daunting, but if you use your connections and resources at hand, everyone should be able to find some sort of work.
Justin Park