Often overlooked, underutilized, and underappreciated, students represent an excellent opportunity for virtually every kind of organization. The current timing of this annual influx of students into the workforce is the impetus for this post.
For students: Summer jobs are a way to earn extra money, save for school, gain valuable experience, and begin to establish their reputations. For any organization, hiring students can bring fresh energy and ideas, to help build a stronger community and to help mold and shape future employees. Everyone appreciates there is a steep learning curve on all sides; however, taking a moment and reviewing these eighteen tips may help make that curve a little less precipitous.
For students: Start early; many begin lining up summer jobs in the fall; however, spring still works, and don’t wait for opportunities to be posted. Talk to teachers, professors, friends, and family, and ask about opportunities. Consider asking the organization that you worked with the previous summer if you could come back before you return to school in the fall. High School students do the same thing. For students that have completed a co-op work term, consider asking that employer if you could come back the following summer or as a part-time student during the school year. Inquire and apply as soon as you can; many students wait until they have finished their semester to look for work and then find the competition is much greater.
For employers: University/College and high school students can be highly motivated, reliable, and dependable and potentially make strong contributions to your organization. Make sure you consider them for any positions you might have available.
For students: You may have to overcome generational comments and misperceptions about attitudes and skills. You will have to prove yourself; you have to earn an employer’s trust and confidence; even if you feel the work provided may be beneath your skillset, do it to the best of your ability. Everyone has to prove themselves before they receive more responsibility.
For employers: Try to give students full-time hours during the summer. If you have students employed during the school year, balance the needs of the organization with their need to do well at school; this awareness will pay dividends for both parties. Senior-level high school and post-secondary students work to save money for school and gain experience. They will give you better results if they do not have to juggle multiple part-time jobs.
For students: Be prepared for employers to have negative attitudes about personal cell phone use. Listen to them, follow their policies, and don’t make this an issue especially in the beginning while you are building their trust and confidence.
For employers: Be prepared to compromise on cell phones. Some employers are very draconian about allowing cell phones, and it is understandable if heavy equipment or safety is an issue; for other roles, appreciate just how linked students are to their phones.
For students: Come prepared to work; this might seem obvious; however, many students aren’t used to working for more than several hours at a time. Employers can forget that students don’t have years of previous work experience, and some can be very impatient and generalize all students with the same brush.
For employers: Pay your students the same wage you would anyone else doing the same job. Student minimum wage in Ontario is less than the basic minimum wage; neither is enough in my opinion. Try to pay more, 10-15% more will result in more connection and loyalty to you and your organization.
For students: While a summer job is not likely going to be your career, make sure you treat it as if it were it is for your co-workers and your employer.
For employers: Take the time to develop and teach your students good work habits, give them responsibility, and make them part of your organization’s culture. It is easy to forget that the work habits of more established employees have been learned over a lifetime of experience, giving students that same allowance for learning.
For Students: Learn and watch how different elements of your organization work and don’t work together. All organizations have strengths and weaknesses; learn from the good examples and learn how to avoid copying the bad examples.
For employers: Be very conscious of how students interact with your team, especially during the first few days. Watch for nervousness and for anyone that seems quiet and withdrawn, they may be struggling to adjust. How you “on-board” students can have long-lasting effects on their success or failure, regardless of age and ability. Initially, give students basic entry-level jobs and then introduce variety and increased responsibility to challenge them and keep them interested in their work. They are students, yes, but if they are engaged and feel involved with your team, you can see their confidence and abilities increase and everyone benefits.
For Students: Ask people to teach you the “hidden rules” of their organization. Hidden rules are things that most people have learned but seldom think about or mention to new associates. These “rules” can range from what is appropriate to wear to work to when and how breaks are taken and include things as simple as where to park their vehicles.
For employers: Remember students are not as experienced as other workers. They might have some experience; however, usually, they will not know the things that older associates know. Be prepared for them to ask many questions or to be thinking about asking many questions. Be patient, and if they don’t ask questions, encourage them to do so. For students in their first job, anticipate they may need extra support.
For students: Always do each job you are given to the very best of your ability, regardless of how basic the job you have been assigned. When you are finished with a job, ask for more. Building your reputation as someone “who gets things done” will count towards getting a great reference in the future.
For employers: The skill level of students can vary greatly from those experiencing their first jobs to university students in their twenties with a greater skill set. The appreciation of them as students is important, as is the avoidance of the possible stigma of them just being a “student” by your regular associates. It is a subtle nuance to be conscious of for you and your associates. For example, some students I have spoken to, say that they appreciate people realizing they are students, but sometimes feel they cannot do the job they were hired to do because many “regular” employers people treat them as if they are just “go-fors,” for the “real” workers.
For students: Eat breakfast and lunch. Many students skip breakfast and/or lunch during the school year, and if continued when working, it can make it difficult to focus for the entire workday, and it can affect your performance.
For employers: If you bring a student back each summer, ensure you give them a salary increase. Many students will not feel comfortable asking for an increase because they may just be grateful for a job. Employers should realize students will work even harder for you if you recognize that they are not starting from zero and that they have more experience and skills to offer than a brand-new person.
For students: Stand out. Volunteer for training, volunteer when your employers ask for extra hours or jobs, contribute your ideas, network with your co-workers and supervisors, find mentors and ask questions; and demonstrate daily your motivation and dependability.
For employers: Expect you will have to constantly teach, expect students will make mistakes, watch for internal toxicity in your existing people and deal with it quickly, build willing cooperation among all your people, train and train everyone; not only is this good for your students, but it also is good for everyone and it is good for the future of your organization.
As I write this post, we are in the season for hiring students, colleges and university winter semesters are ending, and there is a month or so in the high school year; if you need people consider bringing on board a student. For students, start today if you haven’t already and appreciate every day is an opportunity to learn, excel, and build your reputation.
Good luck,
Paul