What was your first job?
My first job was as a cashier at a local supermarket.
How old were you?
16
How much did you earn?
I was lucky, I got $3.50/hour! Yes, that was actually above minimum wage.
How did you get your first job?
I went looking for a few other local jobs first - the local comic shop, the hobby store - but they didn't need anyone. My grandmother frequented the supermarket and knew the manager. One day I went with her and they hired me on the spot. I probably could have gotten the job on my own, they weren't looking for any type of specialization, but it was nice that Grandma went to bat for me. It also added a layer of responsibility that I couldn't let her down.
What did you love (or hate) about your first job?
I LOVED getting a paycheck that was all my own. I wasn't fond of having to answer to other people's whims. But I got past that and learned a lot about dealing with managers as well as with customers. When I got my first 9-5 salary job I was way ahead of some other people who were working their first job. I already understood customer service to some extent and understood how to let people vent and get them what they need.
Advice
- Go into your first job as if it were an adventure. Have fun. Learn what you can and figure out why your higher ups are good at what they do. Too many kids hate that they have to work and you can see it on their faces. Your first job is an opportunity, take advantage and do the best you can no matter what the job is.
