10 Tips for 1st-Time Employees

Homeschooling is a journey.

When the kids are young you can take the slow lane,

drive out on to scenic routes,

stop and picnic along the way,

enjoy delight-directed studies,

go with the flow,

and follow the spark of interest.

But when one’s young adult is almost ready to leave home, one needs to look more carefully at the destination of homeschooling …

… what must my young adults have learnt?

I read an article in our local newspaper, The George Herald, and found their 10 Tips for 1st-Time Employees really interesting.

They explained that most these tips were common sense, but are not being taught at school, nor, may I add, in most homes.

But many homeschoolers, however, are different.  Homeschooling promotes entrepreneurial  activities.  I know several families that run businesses from home.  And children who grow up on farms have valuable experience in working environments.  So, for them, it may all seem common sense.

If employers are looking for these qualities, then parents can tailor their character training and disciplines in this direction, before the young adult enters the workplace.

So here are the 10 common sense tips:

1. Remember your manners.  Arrive on time, address superiors politely, dress appropriately.
2. Learn your assigned task and do it well without your employer having to remind you.
3. Take the initiative.  Don’t stand around waiting for another task.  Find something else to work on.
4. Adapt to change.  Learn to work with a new boss/ manager.  Learn from personality clashes.
5. Don’t call in sick unless you really are.  Build trust and be faithful.
6. Watch your boss and do what he/ she does.  Make a point of focusing on what is important to him and apply the same approach and methods.
7. Give good customer service.  Learn their names.  Be helpful and friendly. Don’t take rude customers personally.
8. Ask for more responsibility.  Be willing to learn new things.
9. Be prepared to take flak from your co-workers. When you do a good job, other co-workers may be jealous of your efforts and success.
10. Whatever you do – do well.  Do whatever you do with enthusiasm and drive!  Make the best of every situation, no matter how insignificant the job may be.

I read this list with my 17-year-old and younger children.  It was good to have a “3rd party” lay out mature expectations and goals.

It led to some of these questions:

• How are we doing at home?

• Are we traveling in the right direction?

• Will my school-leavers be an asset wherever they work?

• Have we fostered a work ethic and established a character of excellence?

• If certain behavior is not acceptable at work, why should it be so at home?

• What do you think?  Add your ideas to the comments.

Blessings,

This post is part of the Carnival of Homeschooling at As For My House.  Join us!