Looking for a job in 2020

Kat Franklin    

Looking for a job can be confusing, challenging, and even disappointing. There are many pitfalls and traps to fall into, even when you find a job. It can be dangerous, low paying, or just not what you’re looking for. Here’s what to look for and how to find a good job!

Look for: 
    Retail- Jobs in stores, rather than jobs in fast food or entertainment centers, are likely to pay higher wages and to have less stressful working conditions. When working in retail, you can sometimes earn a commission based on how good you are at your job. Hours usually end at nine, so you won’t be asked to give up large amounts of sleep to work there.

    Self-employment: One of the best jobs to have as a teenager is to find something you’re good at and monetize it. A self-employed job can be anything from raking leaves to designing websites for local, tech-challenged companies. If you’re self-employed, you keep all profits, set your own hours, and do something you enjoy doing.

    Small Businesses- Small businesses have a track record of treating their workers with respect and fair wages, and it’s really easy to meet and connect with your managers or bosses, making promotions much more likely. Small businesses also function with something akin to a family dynamic, where everyone knows everyone, and a long term job is likely.

Beware of:
    Seasonal Jobs: Especially if you’re applying now, in December, a seasonal job is not what you want. As the winter holidays draw closer, many stores are looking for extra employees to help with the rush. However, these stores will also let you go when the holidays are over, leaving you right where you were before: looking for a job. Be careful when applying, ask if the position is seasonal or permanent. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with accepting a seasonal position to hold you over before you find a better job, but don’t expect to work there after the New Year.

    Dangerous work environments: Most of the restaurants or labor-centric jobs in Clarksville are safe and fair; however, every now and then a business won’t comply with the federal laws that state a minor can’t work in hazardous conditions. Burning grease, metal machinery, and other dangers can harm a worker who gets stuck in the wrong job. Again, most of Clarksville’s jobs are safe, but it’s best to find a worker of the job you’re applying to and ask them about their experience there first.

    Low Pay/Bad Management: There is a minimum wage in America; however, some companies get around it if their workers get tips. They’re allowed to give a smaller minimum wage (around 2 dollars) as long as their workers can supplement with tips. In some businesses, customers tip well, and this program works. In others, workers earn very little. Another pitfall is bad management, where managers give inconsistent instructions, lose their temper easily, or do not promote from within. The best way to find either of these out, once again, is to ask a worker about their experience.