Dealing with Superiors

Learning how to talk to your boss is probably the hardest thing to learn as an employee. Bosses' almost always believe they are right, even when they are in fact, wrong. My advice is to approach them with an objective viewpoint, calmly, and only talk about things that are personally effecting YOU as an employee. Managers do not often like being told wrong, so always try to state how you are feeling, and make your accusations seem more like suggestions and questions, that way the boss doesn't feel threatened. They hold the power, and often times, they don't like to have their power questioned by a subordinate.

On-Campus Jobs Vs. Off-Campus Jobs

One of the nicest aspects of going to a four-year university is having the ability to get an on-campus job. However, there are a few drawbacks. First, you tend to get less hours per week. This is good for someone who really just needs a job to pay for the occasional movie or such but not so good for the person who is paying for their entire tuition.

My suggestion for people in the latter group is to stick to an off-campus job. They may be a little bit harder to get but if you have the right personality and have a connection; you will be able to work much more. Most off- campus jobs will work you as much as 32 hours per week.

Also, some on-campus jobs only pay $8 an hour but an off-campus job can pay more. For example, a job at In-N-Out starts at $10 an hour. This is significantly more per hour. An on-campus job also allows you the option to be a part of the work-study program. This is when the state pays half of your pay and the employer pays the other half, making you more marketable to employers on-campus because they are spending less money.

Lastly, some on-campus jobs allow you to work while having the benefit of seeing your friends.

Off-campus jobs do not tolerate visits from friends or employees working on anything other than what you are being paid to do.

Usually these activities can only be accomplished on breaks and lunches.

The Importance of Multi-tasking

As an employee in retail, you learn the importance of being able to multi-task. At the registered you are required to be friendly, ask questions, as well as insure that the customer isn’t using counterfeit payment, something that has been occurring more and more with the current economy. As a child, multi-tasking isn’t something parents instill in you. It is a trait you acquire in school, especially for those who take the dreaded AP classes, or listen to a lecture as well as take notes. Multi-tasking is difficult to learn, but it is well worth the exasperation whether you are a student, teacher or employee.