Sucess A T Work & Beyond: Objectives

S S AT
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success at work & beyond

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DYCD ISY Workbook • page 115
SED102_DYCDguide_Sec4_M.indd 1 10/2/08 6:27:12 PM

Making the Final Call
Accepting and Declining Offers
Sometimes the best outcome of all happens during the job search
process – you get two (or more) job offers at the same time!
Finally, after your humbling quest for work, the ball is in your court. You get
to make the call about which job option you want most. While at first, you will
C O N GRAT U L ATI O N S! YO U G O T T H E JO B - N OW WHAT?
undoubtedly be flattered that more than one employer wants you for the job,
making the decision can be stressful.
How do you know which offer is the right one for

you? What if you regret your choice down the road?
[And don’t forget that you will have to break bad news to one of
the potential employers that you aren’t accepting the offer, which
can be nerve-wracking for many people.]
Consider the following situation -- Which job would you choose?
Job #1 Job #2
You love animals and have been volunteering at the You decided that you want to get a paying job so you
local animal shelter for more than 4 months. You’ve can start saving for college – at this point, you have
even toyed with the idea of becoming a veterinarian. really good grades and are investigating programs that
Your supervisors have complimented your dedication to would help you become a veterinarian one day. You
the cause and upon hearing that you were looking for applied at a few places and got an offer to work as a
a job, offered you a part-time position working Monday server at a local diner that is always really busy (you
through Friday for 3 hours every day after school, and your friends go there sometimes). While the pay
making minimum wage. You would be responsible for is minimum wage, another server at the diner tells you
helping match potential adopters to pets, as well as that she brings home up to $70 each shift in tips! You
with cleaning cages, and walking the dogs. Best of have been offered a part-time position working three
all, the veterinarian on staff agreed to let you observe days after school and one shift on the weekend. While
her to learn more about what vets do on a daily basis. you are excited about the potential to save quite a bit of
You are thrilled about the opportunity but were money at this job for college, you will no longer be able
disappointed at the minimum wage offer. Also, you to balance school, work, and your volunteer position at
were hoping for weekend shifts to ensure that you have the animal shelter, which you really love.
enough time to do homework on weeknights.
I would choose this job I would choose this job
Name ________________________ Date _______

Making the Final Call
What should you consider when making a decision?
1. Rank the following considerations that you may weigh when deciding on a job offer,

with 1 representing most important to you and 9 representing least important.
____ I am confident that I can perform the duties asked of me; the tasks seem reasonable
____ Work to be done seems challenging and I can learn new skills from this job

____ Working conditions are good (place is clean, safe, accessible, etc)
____ I feel pretty comfortable with the manager and other staff,
from what I could tell during my interview experiences
____ I would feel comfortable asking my supervisor questions, and I think
I could learn from him/her
____ The company has a good reputation for treating its staff well
____ My values and lifestyle are in line with this company; I’d be proud to work there
____ The pay is what I was hoping for
____ I will learn skills here that I know I can apply to my future career plans
Please list other factors that you would weigh.
Why might pay be less important in the long run than feeling like you are a ‘good fit’ for the company?
Be sure to follow your gut when making your final choice!

When deciding between two jobs, you may want to create a chart like this:
Rank on a scale from 1-3 (3 = excellent, 2 = good, and 1 = poor) COMPANY A COMPANY B
Tasks seem reasonable, interesting, achievable
Job will be challenging; there is room for growth
I will build skills toward a future career here
Working conditions
Comfort level with coworkers
Comfort level with supervisor; approachable boss
Business reputation
Company values and culture

Salary
Shift availability
Total score

HOW To pROFESSIoNALLY
ACCePT AN oFFeR:
thank them and ask for a day or two to think it over, particularly if you are waiting to
hear back from another potential employer. note: use your judgment here; there are
times when you could jeopardize your offer by not taking the job on the spot.
Verbally contact tHe eMPloyer once you HaVe decIded to

take tHe oFFer to conFIrM:
C O N GRaT U L aTI O N S! YO U G O T T H E JO B - N O W WHaT?
the position title

start date and time
benefits & rate of pay
shifts you will be working
who you will report to (get their contact information)
work attire
any other areas that you discussed (e.g. if you know you will be
unavailable, or if they offer health benefits or paid time off)
down!
w r It e It A lt lto forget
terminate your job search activities and immediately cancel any
you don’t wAn
upcoming interviews. contact other places that you interviewed at and
rmAtIon.
thIs key Info
let them know you have accepted a different job. do not accept the job if
you are not ready to eliminate other prospects.
ny
o u r o ff e r in w ri ting. If the compau in
Get y is information to
yo
ovide th
is hesitant to pr
a red flag
writing, that is
HOW To pROFESSIoNALLY
deCLIne AN oFFeR: Inform the employer that you have selected a different
position/employer that better matches your current needs
(avoid going into excessive detail or feeling like you need to
make excuses for your decision).
Be sure to thank them for the opportunity to interview and learn

more about their company; keep things as positive as possible since
dycd Isy workbook • page 118
you may want to re-open that door in the future.

GE T TI NG REaDY FOR YOUR
JO BP RE PA RAT I O N
F IRST DaY aT WORK
give yourself a pat on the back!

breathe a big sigh of relief.
n’t your first jo b, but rather, a
you’ve landed your first job! or maybe this is
less
new job – regard
congrats! but…there is still more work to be done.

Now is not the time to kick back and relax until
your job start date. It’s time to get professionally
and personally prepared for your new opportunity.
use the checklIst below to keep yourself orgAnIzed And ensure

thAt you Are As prepAred As you cAn be on your fIrst dAy At work.
JOB OFFER DaTE: __________ JOB STaRT DaTE: __________ JOB STaRT TIME:__________
send a thank you note. demonstrate enthusiasm for do your ‘work homework’. Read and memorize the
your new job. (It is customary to send a thank you note menu, practice your phone skills, learn more about the
to each business where you interviewed,even if you company, and ask friends with jobs for advice. Show up
declined the job or they ended up hiring someone else). prepared.
don’t disappear until your first day at work. Keep in Have some fun before you start your job. You won’t
touch with your new employer even if you are not have as much free time soon enough, so relax and get
starting right away. Most employers love to be reminded energized - start your job refreshed and rested.
that they have a new, responsible worker starting soon!
a simple phone call or email is enough to confirm your Get on your new schedule. If you have to wake up early
start date and express your enthusiasm. in the morning, try to get on that new schedule at least a
few days before you start your new job.
organize your personal life. Take care of some of
the tasks that you may not have as much time to do try to go to any important appointments before you start
once you start working. Clean your room, develop a work. If you have an important appointment within your
homework calendar that factors in your work shifts, first few weeks of work, let your supervisor know as
open a bank account, do your household chores, etc. soon as possible.
do your laundry. seriously. Make sure that your work think about how you will manage job stress and balance
attire is clean and ironed. the priorities in your life. Maybe its time to join a dance
class or gym.
Map out your route to work and do a test run. One of the
worst impressions that you can make is being late on remember, this job is not the end! Keep working toward
your first day. Even legitimate excuses for being late your long term goals. Get educated, find training
mean nothing to your new boss. Keep in mind that travel options, build experience, push yourself.
timing might change if you are working odd hours, or
if you commute during rush hour. Give yourself ample
room to arrive at least 10 minutes early.
Name ________________________ Date _______

Don’t SWEAT IT! Making a Good First Impression
Starting a new job is nerve-wracking for everyone, regardless of whether you are working for
the first time or a seasoned professional. So, you can rest easy that the butterflies in your stomach are normal
and part of the process of finding work. However, your first experiences at new job can – and should – also be
exciting and fun, particularly when you are prepared for what to expect, confident, and able to understand your
employer’s needs. Having some concrete plans in place for how to make a good impression with your boss and
coworkers can make all the difference in your initial experiences on the job. Furthermore, starting off on the
right foot with your new employer will help ensure that your reputation as a high-quality worker follows you
throughout your time at that job and may lead to promotions, raises, and other opportunities down the road.
Below are some specific suggestions for what to do during those critical first few days at work.
Consider how the suggestions might benefit you and then come up with some of your own ideas
for how to succeed at a new job.
Stay Positive!
Introduce yourself to your colleagues; don’t wait for them to approach you.
Remember, good eye contact and a firm handshake.
Why might this be a good approach?
Invite a colleague to join you for lunch (if appropriate) or make the effort to get to
know coworkers when you are on a break.
What might this demonstrate to your colleagues?
Avoid work-related gossip at all costs!

What are some dangers of gossiping about your job or coworkers?
Ask a lot of questions during the first couple of weeks; the sooner you learn the
ropes, the fewer mistakes you will make.
Will asking for help from your boss make you nervous? Why might your boss appreciate questions?
Observe non-verbal cues to better understand what the company values.

Can you think of examples of when ‘actions speak louder than words’?

Be Practical!
Memorize your new phone number and the work address
Find the closest ATM machine and bank (open an
account)
List other ideas you have about surviving your first

week at work:
Have Fun!

Tell family and friends about your job
Start thinking about what you want to save up
to buy
List more ways to have fun at your

first week of work:
Other Ideas for succeeding on the job:
Examples of what to list :

Figure out the fastest and most practical commute to work
Find a place to eat lunch or to grab a snack before/after work
Read the employee handbook to understand policies on personal calls and emails, what to do
when you are sick, holidays when the company is closed, and employee benefits.
Try out the company’s products – understand what they offer
Learn what is appropriate to wear to work – and follow it
Source: http://www.executiveagent.com/career/archives/20030227_main.html
Name ________________________ Date _______

Top 5
Things Your Boss
Assumes About You
1 You know how to answer the phone

Seems simple enough but remember – this is not your home phone
Identify yourself and your company
Speak slowly and at an appropriate volume
Smile! The caller can tell if you are in a good mood
Do not eat or drink while you are on the phone

Always use proper English
Always remain calm and pleasant
2
You know how to use a computer
Computers are an essential part of the business world.
If you do not know how to use one well, you will always be at a disadvantage. Brush
up your skills! If you can, before you start your job, brush up on Microsoft Word
and Excel, and using the internet
Try to speed up your typing
Go online, to the public library, or to a One-Stop to practice using a computer or learn about
3
free training opportunities.
You are prepared

Maybe this is your first job. Maybe you’ve worked
before. Either way, you are expected to be prepared.
You know the customer always comes first, regardless of what
type of business it is.
You are extremely polite.
Demonstrate an eagerness to learn and contribute to their work.
Do your homework.
4
Dazzle them! Show off your knowledge of the company and field.
You know the golden rule

5
…treat others as you would like to be treated
You want to do a great job

…your boss hired you because s/he assumed that
you will do a great job… go for it!
Name ________________________ Date _______

Working Well
with Others
Please read the scenario below and consider
i p :
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Scenario: Motown Cafe
It’s 4:10 at Motown Cafe and the kitchen is a mess after a busy lunchtime. During the
rush, Joy spilled a gallon of salad dressing on the floor and three servers are getting the
mess cleaned up. Joy is not helping, and is, in fact, no where to be seen.
Steven opens the back door where servers sometimes take cigarette breaks, and finds
Joy smoking and talking on her cell phone. “Joy, would you come inside and help out?”
Steven asked. “Hang on Mom,” Joy said in the phone. “Cleaning the counters is Carlos’
job today. I didn’t get a chance to take my break, so I’m taking it now.” Steven raised his
voice a little, “This is an unusual situation, and everyone else is pitching in to help, now
please come inside.”
Joy informs Steven that she has to refill all the salt and pepper shakers and wipe the
tables. She explains that she is scheduled to leave at 4:30 and if she helps with that
mess she’ll be late. Steven says, “Joy, this is exactly what I was getting at before we were
interrupted this morning. There are two people inside helping Carlos with that mess,
because they’re his co-workers and the salad dressing—which you spilled—is much more
than he would normally have to clean.”
Joy replied, saying “I didn’t do it on purpose, and I was busy with my tables. It isn’t my
fault he got the counter job today.”
“Joy,” Steven went on, “this is part of a pattern with you. For example, during lunch today,
I saw a guest ask you for a soda refill, and you told him that it wasn’t your table!” Joy
interrupted, “It wasn’t! I don’t get tips from that table!” “And another thing,” Steven went
on, “Melissa asked if you could take a table of 7 at 3:30, and you told her that you didn’t
have a big enough table in your section. But you had 3 smaller tables right next to one
another that were empty. What were you thinking?”
“Seating guests is Melissa’s job, and they were all old ladies…they take too long to order
and eat…and they probably wouldn’t even tip me right,” replied Joy. She started to walk
out and Steven said sharply, “Your attitude simply has to change!” “Whatever,” Joy
mumbled as she walked inside. “There are plenty of restaurants in Manhattan.”
Name ________________________ Date _______

Professionalism 101
You will never be able to keep a job for very long or move up to a
better position if you don’t act like a professional. It seems simple
but many people lose their jobs because they do not follow this rule.
Being a professional doesn’t = “selling out” or not being yourself when

you get a job, it means fulfilling your responsibilities, being accountable

for your work, treating others with respect, working hard, showing
enthusiasm, and playing fair.
Please read the following situations. Then, circle the letter that you think is the
most appropriate and best response and break into small groups and discuss the
rationale behind your decisions.
Scenario 1:
Jessica wakes up at 7 am with a fever and the flu. She has a job prepping sandwiches at a local deli and she is
supposed to report to work at 9am. She is too sick to work, especially because she handles food, but the policy
at her job is that she must find another employee to cover if she can’t make her shift. Jessica knows that her one
friend at work is out of town and she doesn’t have any other coworkers’ contact information at home with her,
other than her manager’s cell phone number. She thinks her manager is already at work opening the deli. What
should she do?
a) Send a text message to her manager saying that she is sick and can’t make it in this morning. That way
she doesn’t have to talk to anyone and avoids getting pressured to go to work when she is this sick.
b) Drag herself to work. She knows that there’s no way she can find someone to cover her shift without
having their phone numbers and she doesn’t want to get in trouble.
c) Call her manager right away and explain that she is very ill, potentially with the flu. Ask her manager
for the phone numbers of other staff so that she can try to get her shift covered and promise to keep
these numbers handy in case this ever happens again. Ask her manager for advice on what to do if she
can’t find anyone to work for her.
Scenario 2:
It is May, and Samuel’s cousin is getting married in a few months. His cousin has asked him to be best man at the
wedding. Samuel knows that July (the month of the wedding) is a busy month at work, and he also overheard
another colleague mention that she is planning to go on vacation during the same week as the wedding. Samuel
doesn’t find his manager to be very flexible about requesting time off, so he’s too nervous to ask for it. How
should he handle this situation?
a) Approach his boss and say, “I was wondering if you have a moment to talk. I’m in my cousin’s wedding
in July and will need to take at least one day off, but I’d prefer to take three days off if that’s OK with you.
I was thinking that if we start planning now, I can try to get my work finished up early or ask coworkers to
pitch-in while I’m gone.”
b) Write his vacation time onto the calendar that his boss keeps in his office so that his boss will see
that he will be out in July. He’s noticed that his boss typically writes in other people’s planned vacations
on that calendar. Then he won’t accidentally say something stupid by formally asking for time off, and
besides, in his opinion, he shouldn’t really have to ask in the first place. Hopefully, his boss won’t even
notice that he’ll be out until July and by then it’ll be too late for him to change his plans.
c) Tell his cousin that it looks like it’s going to be too difficult to get time off from work, but that he’ll try
to make the wedding. He’s pretty sure his boss will be a jerk and not let him take even one day off, so it’s
not worth asking.
Name ________________________ Date _______

Scenario 3:
Shante loves chatting online with her friends. At her new job, she looked through the Employee Handbook
and noticed that it explicitly says, “no personal internet usage or phone calls during work hours” which seems
ridiculous to Shante. That said, she loves her new job and doesn’t want to get into trouble. She knows that her
friends are planning to meet after work but she can’t get the details on when and where to meet them without

checking her email or IMing them. What should Shante do?
a) IM or email a friend and assume no one will notice. If anyone does say something to her, she can
explain why she made that choice.

b) Take a shorter lunch and use 10 minutes of her lunch hour to check her email to see if her friends sent
her the information on where to meet. If they haven’t, she can send them an email and then check again
at the end of the day once she’s finished her work.
c) Ask her boss why they aren’t allowed to use the internet. Demand a policy change!
Scenario 4:
Ana got into a fight with her boyfriend last night. They were both pretty upset when they hung up the phone. She
woke up this morning thinking about him and realized she that needed to apologize, but she has to be at work at
7am and she knows he won’t be awake that early. She won’t get off work until after 2pm, and by then he’ll be at
his job. Ana doesn’t want to wait until later to call him because she doesn’t want him to stay mad and she knows
she’ll feel preoccupied at work all day thinking about him. What should she do?
a) Ana should call him from work a little bit later even though she doesn’t really have a place to talk
privately, explain she was wrong but try to make him understand why she was upset.
b) Ana calls now and wakes him up.
c) Ana calls out sick from work, goes back to sleep, and calls him later.
Scenario 5:
Joe is pretty sure that he saw his coworker put the wrong mailing label on a box that they are sending to a client.
They are sending out a few boxes with important information to several different companies. Joe is new on the
job, and it’s the first time he’s worked with this particular coworker. He assumes that the coworker wouldn’t
purposely mislabel the box, and doesn’t want to get on his bad side, but he also doesn’t want them to make a big
mistake. Choose the best way for Joe to deal with this situation.
a) Joe should ask his coworker to double check all of the boxes while he calls to confirm the post-office’s
hours of operation. This way his coworker can find his own mistake and Joe won’t have to point out the
problem.
b) Joe should offer to double check all the boxes and explain he just wants to be extra careful that
nothing got mixed up since it’s his first time doing this work. When he finds the mistake, he should let his
coworker know that he’s re-labeling the box without making a big deal about the error.
c) Joe should wait until his coworker leaves the room and then quickly re-label all the boxes before
anyone notices.

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” Code of Conduct
“Where I am determines my success, not physically but mentally. I can be in my
environment and survive, but I can be in the workplace and excel. I’m the same
person, but I realize, when in ‘Rome do as the Romans do.” - St. Ambrose

On Track Completely Whack
Telling your boss you don’t want to do it, rolling

Getting the job done and maybe taking a quick You don’t want
break to relieve some tension. your eyes, heavy sighing, and then proceeding
to do what your
to do something else.
boss asked
Not joining in on the gossip train (because Telling your coworkers other rumors you have
There is a lot of
you know if they are talking about others they heard or ratting out the gossipers to your boss
might start talking about you). gossiping going and adding to the office drama
on at work
Wearing something that is appropriate to the Wearing the latest trend to show off your
environment you work in while still showing It’s casual assets. You want to me noticed, so, “Why not
your personal style. Friday! show what your momma gave you?”
You show up:
Casually start a conversation “it doesn’t hurt You have a hot Wear your hottest outfit and shamelessly flirt
to have more friends…” but you know you coworker, so until you have a date… besides, your coworkers
don’t want the drama of dating a coworker. you: probably have no idea what is going on!
You only use it when absolutely necessary You are a texting maniac because you can
and make sure that it does not get in the way Your cellphone never be too busy at work to talk to friends.
of your work. Plus, texting increases your hand-eye
coordination.
On the surface you are nice and keep up Someone at “Who do they think they are?” You are not
friendly vibes, but on the inside you feel free work rubs you afraid of enemies or a fight… Everyone can feel
to secretly despise them the wrong way. the tension and people are rooting for you
When asked, tell your coworkers the Basics You are shouting “TGIF…I am going to celebrate
(you leave out anything that might be You have big this weekend! Who needs sleep? Party.” While
inappropriate). weekend plans also going into detail your plans
Put yourself together, go to work and if Show up looking awful and explain you just
You broke up broke up with your bf/gf… then go into detail
needed, take a break to collect yourself.
with your bf/gf, either about your relationship or why/how you
Maybe call a friend during lunch.
so you: broke up.

Handling Challenges on the Job …
Everyone has bad days now and then.
But not everyone knows how to handle themselves in those kind of situations. On-the-
job challenges arise all the time, just as in normal life, and it is important to remain
calm and composed so that you can make the right decision and effectively handle the
problem.
1. Please read the following exchanges.

2. Decide on the best way to handle these difficult situations.
3. Then, break into three groups with two of the groups making recommendations to
the third group (the third group will serve as the panel for making the final call on
the correct approach).
Scenario: Jane and Michelle both work at a fast food restaurant. Jane is at the
soda machine filling a medium sized cup with Pepsi. It’s lunch hour and there is a
long line of people waiting to be served. In her rush to fill the cup with soda, Jane
accidentally bumps into Michelle and spills some soda on her white uniform. The
following exchange occurs:
Exchange 1
Michelle gasps: Oh no! (laughing)
Jane: You’re always in the way! If you had moved, maybe I wouldn’t have bumped into you.
Michelle: Let me just get a napkin and clean myself up.
Jane: You don’t have time to get a napkin – look at all these customers! If the boss sees you he’s going
to yell at us both. And don’t say that I did it because it was your fault for not moving out of my way in
the first place.
Michelle: Jane, calm down. You’re making this into a big deal when it’s not. We should both get back to
work.
Exchange 2
Michelle jumps and screams: Watch what you’re doing! Are you an idiot?
Jane: I am so sorry, how careless of me. Let me grab a napkin.
Michelle: Yeah, that was very careless. Now my entire sleeve is all wet. The last thing I need is your
help when you made this mess to begin with.
Jane: Michelle listen, I didn’t mean to spill on you. It was an accident. I’m sorry. If you don’t want my
help, I’m going to take the next customer’s order.
Michelle: Yeah, do something useful for a change… I’m going home.
Exchange 3
Michelle gasps: Oh no!

Jane: I am so sorry, how careless of me! Things just got so busy so fast. I’m so clumsy! Sorry!
Michelle: Don’t worry, it will come out. Let me grab a napkin.
Jane: I am so sorry. I hope you know that was an accident. I promise I’ll be more careful!
Michelle: No big deal. These things happen all the time. I’ll just wash this tonight.
Name ________________________ Date _______

Exchange 4
Jane: Oops, Michelle! I didn’t mean… can I take your order, sir?
Michelle (turning away from the customer) Why did you just do that?
Jane: I was about to apologize, but with your nasty attitude, forget it.
Michelle: My nasty attitude? I don’t go around spilling drinks on people and then not apologizing. Next
time you need help, don’t come running to me!
Jane: I wouldn’t anyway since you’re the laziest worker here and everyone knows it.

Michelle: Look, now that man just walked away without ordering. Now he’ll tell the manager and we’ll
both get in trouble all because of you.
Exchange 5

Michelle gasps: Oh no! Watch what you’re doing for a change!
Jane: I am so sorry, what can I do to help? Let me grab a napkin.
Michelle: Thanks. Sorry if I snapped at you, it’s just that I washed the uniform last night and now I’ll have
to do it again.
Jane: I am so sorry for being such a klutz. I hope you know that was an accident. I got a little frazzled with
so many customers at once.
Michelle: Accidents happen, but you better watch your back! (laughs)
How would YOU have handled the situation if your coworker spilled
something on you in the middle of a work shift? What about if you
were in Jane’s shoes?
Which of the above exchanges seem reasonable? Which seem unfair?

Which seem counterproductive? Why?

now, please read the next set of situations. then, circle the letter that you think is the most
appropriate and best response and break into small groups and discuss the rationale behind your
decisions.
bill needs to leave work early. choose the most appropriate way he should communicate this to his
supervisor:
a) Hey, what’s up? Listen, I’m going to check out early this afternoon. I hope that’s cool with you.
b) Do you have a second? Thanks. Would it be possible to leave work one hour early today? I have something
important that I need to attend to. I will make up the time tomorrow if need be.
c) I have to leave work early today. There’s nothing I can do about it because I can’t reschedule what I need
to do. Sorry, but I have to take my friend to the doctor for this procedure and she has no other way of getting
there.
louise works at a daycare for disabled children. recently one child has become very aggressive.
louise must communicate this to the patient’s mother. choose the most appropriate way she should
communicate this.
a) Mrs. Smith, do you have a moment to talk? I need to discuss the fact that your daughter has recently
become violent with me. I have been trying to explain to her that this is not appropriate behavior, but I wanted
to get your feedback on the situation in case you had any ideas on how to make this stop.
b) Listen, Mrs. Smith -- your daughter keeps hitting me and if she doesn’t stop it, I just might hit her back one
of these days. My patience is at an end. I don’t come to work to get beaten up by children.
c) This is my last warning. If your daughter does not stop hitting me, I am going to request that she is removed
from our care.
pedro works as a sales representative at the Apple store. his supervisor calls him into a meeting and
explains a new procedure to him. pedro is not quite sure he understood the directions. choose the
best way for him to deal with this situation.
a) Pedro leaves the room without saying a word and assumes he understood the directions. He crosses his
fingers and hopes that nothing bad will happen.
b) Pedro leaves the room, but decides to ask his co-worker and friend Miguel for clarification.
c) Pedro repeats the directions to his supervisor and asks for confirmation that he understood correctly.
kathleen is a file clerk at an office. for the last three months she only has filed documents in the
mail room. recently, her supervisor told them that from now on she would like kathleen to also
answer phone calls in the mailroom.” kathleen was excited about the new task and really liked the
idea of being a receptionist. however, due to the heavy volume of calls, kathleen has spent the last
two weeks just answering phone calls. during this time, she stopped filing. A huge pile of papers has
accumulated. she realizes that it is very difficult to complete both tasks. please choose the action
that seems most appropriate:
a) Kathleen should set up a meeting with her supervisor and tell him/her the problem. Then, she should ask
the supervisor to help her prioritize her tasks.
b) Kathleen should answer phone calls until told otherwise.
c) Kathleen should stop answering the phones and continue to file because that is what she was initially hired
to do.

D I D Y OU KnO W ?
W o r ker s R ig hts

of course you wIll AlwAys try to hAve A posItIve AttItude, be flexIble,

work well wIth others. but, there Are some work sItuAtIons thAt Are
unAcceptAble. here Are A few bAsIc worker rIghts.
In the U.S., workers have many rights on the job. It is important to understand your rights in the
workplace. Historically, these rights were established to help workers negotiate fair pay and
benefits, safety on the job, and the right to unionize. In the early 1900s, workers in the U.S.
fought for the right to work eight-hour days, to establish a minimum wage law, and to prohibit
cruel child labor practices. During the Industrial Revolution, children as young as four years
old were employed in factories for 12 and 14 hours a day!
FACTS:
In new york, workers under the age of 18 must have a work permit.
In NYC, you can apply for an employment certificate if you are a minor at your local high school office or
at the Board of Education (www.schools.nyc.gov), Office of attendance, 52 Chambers St., Rooms 219 –
(212) 374-6095 or (718) 222-6220.
President Kennedy established the Equal Employment Opportunity

Commission (EEOC) to enforce laws passed that protect our rights
on the job, including Title vII of the Civil Rights act of 1964, The Equal
Pay act (EPa), the age Discrimination in Employment act (aDEa) and
the americans with Disabilities act (aDa). Learn more about your
rights!
discrimination (unfair treatment of a person or group on the basis of prejudice) and

harassment (the act of systematic and/or continued unwanted and annoying actions of
one party or a group, including threats and demands) on the job is illegal.
visit www.eeoc.gov for information on your rights.

The EEOC even has a special page set up for young workers: http://youth.eeoc.gov/
rights.html.
Name ________________________ Date _______

Quick Quiz:
True or False?
____ The minimum age that a child can work in the U.S. without parental
consent is 16.
____ Sexual harassment is not really sexual harassment by law if the alleged
perpetrator didn’t mean to make his or her coworker feel
uncomfortable.
____ Women who feel that they are being denied equal pay as their male
counterparts have 180 days to make a report after an incident occurs.
____ Your boss has the right to fire you for not being able to get along with
your coworkers.
____ If you have a salaried “white collar” position you may not be entitled to
overtime pay.
(answers: T, F, T, T, T)

t E l i g i b i l i t y
E m p l o y m e n
I- 9 o r m
V e r i fi c a t i o n F When hired for a new job, employees are required to prove that they are legally
able to work in the United States. An Employment Eligibility Verification form
(I-9 Form) must be completed and kept on file by the employer. Normally, new
employees are asked to complete an I-9 during the first week on the job.

Go online (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf) and print out a copy of the I-9 form -
practice filling it out & become familiar with identification documents needed for forms.

OMB No. 1615-0047; Expires 06/30/08
Department of Homeland Security Form I-9, Employment
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Eligibility Verification
Please read instructions carefully before completing this form. The instructions must be available during completion of this form.
ANTI-DISCRIMINATION NOTICE: It is illegal to discriminate against work eligible individuals. Employers CANNOT
specify which document(s) they will accept from an employee. The refusal to hire an individual because the documents have a
future expiration date may also constitute illegal discrimination.
Section 1. Employee Information and Verification. To be completed and signed by employee at the time employment begins.
Print Name: Last First Middle Initial Maiden Name
Address (Street Name and Number) Apt. # Date of Birth (month/day/year)
City State Zip Code Social Security #
I attest, under penalty of perjury, that I am (check one of the following):

I am aware that federal law provides for A citizen or national of the United States
imprisonment and/or fines for false statements or A lawful permanent resident (Alien #) A
use of false documents in connection with the An alien authorized to work until
completion of this form.
(Alien # or Admission #)
Employee's Signature Date (month/day/year)
Preparer and/or Translator Certification. (To be completed and signed if Section 1 is prepared by a person other than the employee.) I attest, under
penalty of perjury, that I have assisted in the completion of this form and that to the best of my knowledge the information is true and correct.
Preparer's/Translator's Signature Print Name
Address (Street Name and Number, City, State, Zip Code) Date (month/day/year)
Section 2. Employer Review and Verification. To be completed and signed by employer. Examine one document from List A OR
examine one document from List B and one from List C, as listed on the reverse of this form, and record the title, number and
expiration date, if any, of the document(s).
List A OR List B AND List C
Document title:
Issuing authority:
Document #:
Expiration Date (if any):

Document #:
Expiration Date (if any):

CERTIFICATION - I attest, under penalty of perjury, that I have examined the document(s) presented by the above-named employee, that
the above-listed document(s) appear to be genuine and to relate to the employee named, that the employee began employment on
(month/day/year) and that to the best of my knowledge the employee is eligible to work in the United States. (State
employment agencies may omit the date the employee began employment.)
Signature of Employer or Authorized Representative Print Name Title
Business or Organization Name and Address (Street Name and Number, City, State, Zip Code) Date (month/day/year)
Section 3. Updating and Reverification. To be completed and signed by employer.

A. New Name (if applicable) B. Date of Rehire (month/day/year) (if applicable)
C. If employee's previous grant of work authorization has expired, provide the information below for the document that establishes current employment eligibility.
Document Title: Document #: Expiration Date (if any):
l attest, under penalty of perjury, that to the best of my knowledge, this employee is eligible to work in the United States, and if the employee presented
document(s), the document(s) l have examined appear to be genuine and to relate to the individual.
Signature of Employer or Authorized Representative Date (month/day/year)
Form I-9 (Rev. 06/05/07) N

Where Does the Time Go?
Managing your time
What are the tasks, activities, and responsibilities that must be attended to
every day? Think about each task and how much time you spend dealing with it
each day. Then, think about the level of priority you would assign to that specific
task (high, medium, low). You should assign high priority to those daily activities
that you cannot avoid such as sleeping, or eating. Medium priority activities
are the ones that you can choose whether or not you want to perform them on a
certain day. Low priority are those that you can definitely opt not to do.
T I M E M A NAG EM E N T A N D W O R K/LIF E BA L A NCE
You need to enjoy your day. Make sure that you have some time each day (at
least half an hour!) to do something you really enjoy such as spending time
with friends or listening to music!
Activity Time Priority

TOTAL HOURS:
Please review your standard obligations:
Is there extr
a time left in
day? Do you your 24 hour
want to add
Do you have more than 24 hours or increase th an activity,

e time you sp
scheduled into your typical day? Where that you hav end on one
e already lis
can you get some time back? ted? Explain
.

Time Thieves: What are the things that can go wrong and
take up time?
1.
2.

3.
4.

5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Top 10 signs you need a stress break:

1. You think coffee is the new water.
2. Sleep is for the weak.
3. What day is it?
4. Doesn’t everyone wake up in the middle of the night panicked about what they have to do the next day?
5. You have not seen your friends in a long time.
6. Your eyes are bloodshot, hair is frizzy (from pulling of course) and you have a frazzled look.
7. Your mood swings are causing family and friends to walk on eggshells around you.
8. Everybody eats (slurps) down their meals as quickly as possible, right?
9. You don’t ever know what the weather is like outside, even if you have a window.
10. You think the world will stop if you take a day off.
How do you normally deal with stress?

Name ________________________ Date _______

How do I balance it all?
I don’t want my whole life to be about my job.
Starting a new job often means that you have to change your life a bit,
especially if you are also balancing school and other priorities. Think
about all the things that are important to you: family, friends, health,
and finances. Any other things (e.g. community, spirituality, hobbies,
and fun or relaxation). Establishing a good work/life balance can help
you stay happier and be more successful in your career.
1. What are some of YOUR priorities? (e.g. spending time with my girlfriend, supporting my family, going to college)
2. What are the things that you have to do? (e.g. homework, baby-sit on Mondays, grocery shop for Grandma) How
often do you have to take care of your obligations?
3. How will you balance these existing responsibilities with a job? Do you foresee any conflicts? (e.g. find someone else
to grocery shop for Grandma, explain to girlfriend that I have less time on the weeknights to see her)
4. List any serious challenges that could prevent you from keeping a job (e.g. no childcare lined up, unstable housing).
How will you overcome those obstacles?
5. What are some supports or resources that you have to help you? What can help you get past the challenges listed
above? (e.g. move in with a relative who has stable housing)
Name ________________________ Date _______

%&"3 Email from Patrick
Rodriguez
ke go od money, especially wi
th your first
Maya
it’s ha rd to ma to
I have heard that
wo ul d he lp me ea rn more money but I need
llege
job. I know going to co t by wi th an entry-level job salar
y and still
w ca n I ge
start working now. Ho tra in in g, or go to co llege in a few years? I
enroll in
save enough money to
still be broke.
don’t want to work and

Hey Patrick -
You’re right – it is really hard to be financially independent and still save

money for the future. The good news is that most people figure out how to
make it work. And, you’re already way ahead of most people because you have
a career plan, know how to find a job, and have clear goals.
The key is to be responsible - create a budget and stick to it.

Budgets are a great way to keep track of your hard earned money. Once you
understand your paycheck and know how to budget, you will be much more
prepared to think about savings and credit card responsibilities.
To be financially responsible you should:

Maya’s
$)& "54)&&5
1. Learn about your paystub for Money Management
Be aware of how much money you actually take home –review the taxes and
make sure there are no errors. Show me the MONEY:
2. Prepare a realistic budget -Learn about the taxes you pay and
Budgets are only helpful when they are realistic. If you are a big spender in what benefits are taken from you
r
one area, make sure you cut back in another. Your budget should always paycheck.
be balanced.
-Plan ahead. If you have a big
3. Save expense coming, make sure you are
Savings are great for unexpected expenses, big purchases, or for future saving for it.
plans. Since you are making money, try and save some each month. It
adds up. -Find the right balance – if you
overspend in one area, try to cut
Here are a few tips! back in another.
Save everything and be honest with yourself -Are there other sources of incom
e
Save your pay stubs, your receipts, and your money! aside from your paycheck?
Keep it real - I know I like to spend money on clothes, so I cut -Remember that to be financially
back in other areas. stable, you should not accrue deb
Plan - If there is something I really want, I make sure I can afford t,
so make sure your monthly budget
it before I make the impulse purchase. is
not in the negative.
Saving money takes time. Be patient and take small steps

-Credit cards may seem like a goo

d
in the right direction. If you save $10 every week for twenty idea, but make sure you pay them
off
years, you’ll have over $10,000 in the bank (plus interest because the penalties can be ver
y
accrued) – enough for a major purchase. high and affect your future goals.
-Maya -Put away a little money at a time
for the future. If you are taking
small steps now, you will be better
prepared to reach these goals.

nOt aBle tO UnDerstAnD
YOUR PaYCHECK?
REaD BELOW TO ‘GET ’ W H Y YO U a R E N O T ‘G E T T I N G ’ W H aT YO U
TH O UGHT YOU WOUL D!

unfortunately, you don’t get to keep every cent of your earnings. In fact, you might be surprised by how
Sav IN G aN D aSSET BU ILDIN G
much less your take-home pay is compared to your gross earnings. this is largely due to deductions being
taken out. deductions may include:
socIAl securIty tAx heAlth And/or lIfe InsurAnce

Income tAx retIrement plAn
medIcAre tAx trAnsportAtIon
stAte or locAl tAxes
Below is a sample paycheck stub
EaRNINGS RaTE HOURS THIS PERIOD YEaR TO DaTE

regular 13.02 80 $1,041.60
Gross Pay $1,041.60 $12,323.81
DEDUCTIONS STaTUTORY
Federal Income Tax -82.19 959.85
Social Security Tax -64.59 764.08
Medicare Tax -15.11 178.70
State Income Tax -34.27 402.34
City Income Tax -3.14 34.50
Health Insurance -80.00 80.00
net Pay $762.30 $9266.07
what is the total dollar amount difference between take-home

and regular earnings?
what might contribute to one’s gross pay being higher than

regular earnings?
adapted from Making your Money count: How to successfully spend and save
your money. the enterprise Foundation. 2000.
Name ________________________ Date _______

hOw mUCh Do You MAke?
h
In the grid below, please list of all of your sources of income. If you have a job, calculate based on
your actual wages and work schedule. If you don’t have a job, assume that you are earning $10 an
hour and that you are working 30 hours of week. follow these steps:

First, multiply your hourly wage by the hours you work per week. Then, mul-
tiply your weekly salary by 4.33. This number is your monthly gross income.
Then, calculate your net income. To do this, you should figure out what

percentage of your income needs to go to taxes. This will vary somewhere
between 20-34% depending on how much you earn.
If you are taxed 20% of your income, then multiply your monthly income by
.80. This is because you will only be taking 80% home. This number is your
monthly net income.
TIME FRaME CaSH INCOME OTHER MONEY TOTaL INCOME

(E.G. SaLaRY) (E.G. TaX REFUND,
LOaN)
Monthly
Weekly
Daily
Total
Name ________________________ Date _______

optIonAl expenses cAsh out rAnk In terms of ImportAnce

(1 being most important)
totAl:
now that you have analyzed your expenses against your income, how do you feel about
it? do you feel that there are items that you can eliminate from your expenses?
whAt cAn I elImInAte? whAt does thIs Add to my Income?
totAl sAvIngs
wAys to IncreAse your Income:

many people, especially new workers, are eligible for higher income tax returns,
discounts, and government benefits.
Check out www.earnbenefits.org to see if you are eligible for any programs.

Takin g a c l o s e r
look at Karen

SAV IN G A N D ASSET BU ILDIN G
TIP: Karen is a 20 year old woman with one young child, age two.
Don’t forget to calculate gross versus She recently started working as a sales clerk at Strawberry’s
net pay. Gross pay is your total pay Clothing store. She is really happy with the job and will be
for this pay period before deductions, receiving $7 per hour. She will work 35 hours a week (full time).
reductions and taxes have been sub-
tracted. Net pay is your take-home pay Before getting the job, Karen was on public assistance. Now
after reductions; taxes and deduction that she is working, she is still eligible for benefits, but not at
have been subtracted from your gross
the same level. In addition to her salary, she will receive $250
pay. The net pay is the amount depos-
ited into your account. Remember that
rental assistance voucher and $150 per month of Food Stamps.
taxes paid out should equal about 20%. Karen will also receive six months of metro cards and free
childcare through her work. Karen has asked you to help her
create a workable budget to ensure she does not over spend.
Questions
1. What is Karen’s take home pay?
Gross = _________
Net = _________
2. Are childcare, Metro Cards, Food Stamps, and rental

assistance considered income?
Please take a moment to calculate Karen’s daily, monthly, and

weekly income.
TIP:
Many of Karen’s in kind benefits are
transitional and therefore time limited.
Consequently, she should be thinking
about ways to earn job upgrades so that
she can increase her earnings. Think about

how Karen would change her budgeting
after her 6 month transitional child care
benefits are over.

Quiz
DOllARS AND SENSE
this quiz will help you think about how you view money
1.every time I have money available I think about:

a)Saving it for something fun later
b)Spending it right away on myself or others
c)Putting it in the bank for my future (for college, to start a business, etc)
2.If someone offered me a chance to open a savings account, I would most likely think:
a)What? Savings what? Oh no- I’m too young for that
b)I’m not making much anyways now, so I’ll think about it after I’ve been working for a
while.
c)Sounds good- I want to know more!
3.when I daydream about winning the lotto, I imagine:

a)Buying all my friends and family new houses and cars
b)Putting all the money into a high-yield savings account or starting a business
c)Buying an island for myself, becoming a recluse, and never thinking about money
again
4.Money is:
a)The root of all evil
b)a necessary part of success when used appropriately
c)Something I am careful to save
5.If I had $50 in my pocket, I would:

a)Go buy something to treat myself – shoes, video game, etc.
b)Put it away until I really needed it
c)Spend it on various necessities – groceries, toothpaste, interview attire
6. If my job offered me medical benefits that required $40 to be deducted from my

paycheck every two weeks, I would:
a)Decline and hope I don’t get sick or require medical care
b)Sign up right away
c)assess my budget and if I don’t have $40 to enroll in benefits and I’d find other ways
to cut down my expenses
7.since all working americans have to file taxes every year, when I get a job, I plan to:
a)Ignore tax season and hope the government doesn’t find out one day
b)Try to fill out the forms myself, ask my parents for help, and hope I do it right
c)Investigate if there are free or low-cost tax preparation services so I can make sure
that I get a tax refund if I’m eligible
Name ________________________ Date _______

8. If I were to grade myself on how I deal with money, I’d:
a )Give myself an F – I can never keep track of money (and have actually lost money
before by being careless), spend when I can, and hate saving
b) Give myself a B – I feel I am pretty responsible: I try to save when I can, but I also

spend when I shouldn’t, and I don’t make enough effort to plan for my future. If I was
given help on how to be more financially secure, I would take the advice.
c) Be the a+ student – In fact, I’m probably too much of a penny pincher, never treat
myself, and I worry all the time about not being able to save enough money

9. I got a credit card to:
a) Build my credit score
b) Buy stuff I want now without worrying about money in the bank
c) For emergency purposes only
scorIng: 1) A1, b2, c0 2) A2, b1, c0 3) A1, b0, c2 4) A2 ,b1 ,c0 5) A2, b0, c1
6) A1, b2, c0 7) A2, b1, c0 8) A2, b1, c0 9) A0, b2, ,c1
what’s your score?

penny pincher (0-2 points)
- you can never have enough money in the bank
- you almost always meet your monthly budget
- you buy almost everything discounted or on sale
- you spend a lot of time planning for the future
- you rarely get drinks with meals at a restaurant… water is free
- All of your books are paperbacks or library checkouts
- you always bring your lunch- eating out is too expensive
modest consumer (3-10 points)

- you try to meet your budget but realize that sometimes you won’t
- you buy things on sale but are willing to spend for something you like or need when you have the money
- you are thinking about the future and saving, but you do not always save
- for you, it is about the balance of convenience and cost, always
- If you spend lots of money one week, you try and withhold from spending another, to balance it out
big spender (above 10 points)

- you would rather go over your monthly budget than have to think about money constantly
- you usually buy what you want without looking at the price
- “what is the point of having money if you are not going to spend it?” Is a philosophy of yours
- your convenience is usually more important than the cost of something
- savings are for older people who want to retire now

WHERE DOES All
THE MoneY GO?
Lauren lives in Crown Heights in a two bedroom apartment with her sister. Lauren brings home
about $1150 after taxes. Her parents also give her $100 a month. Her monthly rent is $700. She
pays $40 a month on her Con Edison bill. Her groceries come to about $40 a week. She has a
family cell phone plan (with her sister) that costs about $45 a month. Every Sunday Lauren goes
out with family and friends for a meal at a local restaurant. This usually costs her $25/week.
Lauren also donates $10 to her place of worship every Sunday.
lauren works as a receptionist. she must look well groomed and professional for her job. lauren
gets a weekly manicure that costs $12. she spends about $20 a month on haircuts. she spends
between $70 dollars a month on clothing or accessories, too. lauren walks to work and generally
stays within walking distance of her apartment – she tries to never take taxis.
once a month, she takes her two nieces to prospect park. this usually costs $4 round
trip (she only pays for one child) on the subway plus an extra $6 for ice cream or
treats for the kids. lauren pays $81 for an unlimited monthly metrocard. she also
receives free healthcare through work.
AnAlyze her monthly Income And expenses bAsed on

the scenArIo Above. fInIsh fIllIng out the followIng
budget sheet for lAuren by plAcIng the Amount In the
ApproprIAte column- eIther expense or Income. In the
bAlAnce column, eIther Add (Incomes) or subtrAct
(expenses) from prevIous bAlAnce. look In the
pArenthesIs for A clue of how the formulA works.

lauren’s monthly budget

transaction Income expense balance
Beginning balance (1st of the month) $0

Pay check $1,150 $1,150 ($0+ $1,150)
Parents $100 $1,250 ($1,150+$100)
Rent $700 $550 ($1,250- $700)
ending balance =
Has lauren spent more cash than she has? or does she have some money left over?
what are your thoughts about her budget?
How could lauren improve her financial situation?

Name ________________________ Date _______

Credit Cards 101
Important Disclosures
Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for purchases
A fixed rate through your billing period. Begins with your first billing period, at a variable rate, and can range. The APR
is basically the total cost of credit to the consumer, expressed as an annual percentage of the amount of credit granted.
APR is intended to make it easier to compare lenders and loan options, but it does not represent the total cost of borrow-
ing, because that depends on what your balance is over time.
Variable rate
APRs may vary quarterly; pay close attention to it to make sure you are aware of any changes. The Wall Street Journal
publishes the Prime Rate (the interest rate charged by most banks to their most creditworthy customers) on the 25th
day of Dec, Mar, June, and Sept. As of December 11, 2007, the Prime Rate was 7.25%
Grace periods
Grace periods refer to the amount of time you have to repay your balance each month. Cards offer a minimum of 25 days
without a finance charge on new purchases if the balance is paid in full each month by the due date. Grace periods differ
from card to card.
Average Daily Balance

This is a method of computing the balance used in calculating finance charges for purchases. Most credit card compa-
nies track your balance day by day alongside adding charges (purchases) and subtracting payments as they occur. To
get your finance charge they take the average of the daily totals and multiply this by the monthly interest rate. A card
with an annual rate of 18 percent would have a monthly periodic rate of 1.5 percent. If that card had a $500 average daily
balance it would yield a monthly finance charge of $7.50.
Annual Membership Fees (AMF)

Some companies also charge an additional annual membership fee, particularly if you have bad or no credit. Try to find
cards that don’t charge an annual membership fee if you can.
Minimum Finance Charge

Some credit cards have a minimum finance charge (a finance charge is the dollar amount you pay to use credit. The
amount depends in part on your outstanding balance and the APR), even if the calculated amount of your finance
charge is less. For example, your finance charge may be calculated to be 35¢--but if the company’s minimum finance
charge is $1.00, you’ll pay $1.00. A minimum finance charge usually applies only when you must pay a finance charge--
that is, when you carry over a balance from one billing cycle to the next.

STOP Things you should be aware of
Other fees to look out for :
Cash advance fee. Charged when you use the card
for a cash advance; may be a flat fee (for example,
Credit-limit-increase fee. Charged if you ask for an
increase in your credit limit
$3.00) or a percentage of the cash advance (for
example, 3%) Set-up fee. Charged when a new credit card
account is opened
Balance-transfer fee. Charged when you transfer
a balance from another credit card (Your credit Return-item fee. Charged if you pay your bill by
card company may send you “checks” to pay off the check and the check is returned for non-sufficient
other card. The balance is transferred when you funds (that is, your check bounces)

use one of these checks to pay the amount due on
the other card Other fees. Some credit card companies charge a
fee if you pay by telephone (that is, if you arrange
Late-payment fee. Charged if your payment is by phone for payment to be transferred from your

received after the due date bank to the company) or to cover the costs of
reporting to credit bureaus, reviewing your account,
Over-the-credit-limit fee. Charged if you go over or providing other customer services. Read the
your credit limit information in your credit card agreement to see if
there are other fees and charges.
WHAT CREDIT REALLY COSTS:

Calculate the interest paid each year if your average daily balance is:
APR $1000 $2000 $3000 $4000

12% $120 $240 $360 $480
13%
14%
15%
16%
17%
18%
19%
20%
21%
22%
Knowing what you know now… what are your thoughts about getting a credit card?
What, in your opinion, are the 3 biggest red flags to look out for before signing up for a credit card?
1.
2.
3.
What are some reasons why building good credit is worthwhile?
Name ________________________ Date _______

e
Why does it seem lik
“the rich get richer
n d t h e p o o r g e t p o o rer”?
a
Many people worry that if their families struggle financially, the will also have a hard time getting by.
How do you break this cycle when some estimates show that 85% of America’s wealth is in the hands
of 20% of the population? It’s even worse in some communities, where fewer than 50% of African
Americans and Hispanics owned their own homes in 2005, compared to more than 75% of whites.
(Based on research done by New York University Economics Professor Edward N. Wolff).
You can start working on creating a different future for yourself.

It takes hard work and sacrifice but it’s possible.
1. Create a plan! Develop a personal budget and set goals for yourself. Make sure your financial
goals are in line with your life and career goals.
2. Know your stuff. Many people do not know how much money they make, or how much they spend.
They sign up for credit cards and have no idea that those cards can cost a lot of money.
3. Save money. Sounds simple but many young people wait until they are older to start saving money,
which is a huge mistake! If you save $20 every week for ten years, you’ll have over $10,000 in the
bank.
4. Advance in your career. Don’t get stuck in a job that doesn’t offer you growth opportunities.
Continue working toward your goals. When you earn more, you can save more.
5. Build assets. What are assets? Assets are things you own, like property. Once you start
accumulating wealth, you can continuously build assets. For example, you can invest your money in
the stock market (make money off your money), obtain a loan from the bank to purchase a home or a
car, or start your own business.
Chris Rock, in Never Scared, said that Shaq is rich but the guy who signs his check is wealthy. Rock
prefers to be wealthy. What does “being wealthy” mean to you? For what reasons might you save money?
Examples: Pay for College or Training; Take a Vacation; Special Occasions; Emergency
Name ________________________ Date _______

SAMPLE
AT ION LETTER
RECOMMEND

January 15, 2008

Hiring Manager (use name if possible)
Business Name
Address

Dear Hiring Manager:

I would like to recommend (fill in your name) for the (job opening you
are applying for) position at (company with job open). I have known
(your name) for (amount of time). (your name) has been an excellent
(employee/student) at (work place or school).
He/She has the skill set that matches the position requirements.
His/her interests and values are also in line with the mission of your
organizations. (This is where your recommender would mention your
activities and experience that relates to your “fit” at the job.)
He/She is very well liked among his/her peers and teachers/bosses.

His/Her (list of traits that you have) make (your name) an excellent
candidate for this position and company. If you have further questions,
please contact me at (recommenders phone number and email). I look
forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully,
(your recommender’s name)


What’s Next?
G etting to your goal- Adva nce in your career
1. When Should I think about advancement?

6 months… Try to keep your first job for at least six months. Employers always look
to see if you can keep your job. It shows you are responsible and a good employee.
Then, you can begin to explore new opportunities.
R E SO U RCE S
After a year or more (depending on the job) you can begin to explore opportunities
to advance in your career.
Promotion: There are a few things you can do to get a promotion:
• First things first, do a great job!
• After a while on the job, talk to your supervisor about growth opportunities at your
company/organization.
• Let your supervisor know that you want to do a good job in your current position,
learn new skills and be promoted. Don’t be pushy, but be confident in explaining
your desire to grow in your career. Focus on the company- how can you do an even
better job and take on more responsibilities.
2. What is Career Advancement? How do I do it?

Put Simply- More responsibilities, money, or benefits. This can be with your current
or a new employer.
Skills Improvement: Increase your skill set to make yourself more valuable to the company
and/or potential employers. The work world is competitive- make yourself a more attractive
candidate than other job seekers. How you can increase your skill set:
• Go back to school to pursue a degree! Many people work and go to school part-time.
• Enroll in a vocational program that gives you the skills you need to get promoted.
• Take advantage of opportunities that your employer provides. Many companies and
organizations pay for their employees to attend training and educational opportunities because
it serves them to have skilled employees.
New Job: Better opportunities and jobs are often located in other companies and
organizations. If you are building your current experience and skills, look for jobs in the
same or a similar industry so you are a competitive and qualified candidate. How to find
a new job successfully:
• Research new jobs while at your current job, but be sure that you don’t make it public
knowledge, and more importantly don’t disregard your current job responsibilities.
• Investigate other companies and industries that would be interested in the skill set
and experience you have. Find out what are the job requirements for other positions.
• Use your “network” to find job opportunities and/or a contact at the company you are
interested in. Over 80% of jobs are found through a contact…keep your eyes and ears
open, and even more important- always be on your best behavior when meeting people
and developing contacts.

good news- you already have many of the
tools you’ll need. review your career plan,
update your resume, and get ready to start
the job search process again.
buIld work hIstory:
before looking for your next job, it’s important to think about your work history. If you have only

been at your current job for two months and have little work experience, then it probably doesn’t
make sense to start looking for a better job. generally you should spend six months to a year in
each position- minimum.
R E SO U RCE S
A solid work history- meaning significant time spent in a position- demonstrates dedication,
responsibility, trustfulness, success, and good work habits. Qualities employers look for in an
employee. be aware of your work history and what it says about you as an employee.
references:
as with your work history, ensuring that you have good references as you move through your
career is an important piece of the puzzle. Most employers want to hear from your references and
previous employers. This means you need to do the best job you can at every job you are in. Your
next job could depend on it! a sample recommendation letter is on page 147. Some employers and
schools require them.
InformAtIonAl IntervIews:
a good strategy to learn about opportunities in the field is to schedule informational interviews with
people in your field of interest. By scheduling these interviews, you will learn what the job market is
like for specific occupations, what skills are needed and wanted, and sometimes job opportunities
will be exposed. again, this is part of your networking activity and your goal to make as many
contacts as you can.
tIp: cAll your references when you plAn to begIn A new Job seArch. they wIll ApprecIAte An
updAte on your cAreer- And A heAds up they mAy get A cAll from A potentIAl employer. plus,
mAybe they know About A greAt opportunIty for you.
Jot down your ideas and next steps here!

Name ________________________ Date _______

Helpful Websites
For job search: US Bureau of Labor Statistics:
www.rileyguides.com/teen.html http://www.bls.gov/
- Job opportunities for teens - Facts from the census on the labor market
www.craigslist.org/
- Job listings from around the world For Financial Aid:
www.jobhunt.com/ http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
- Internet employment resources - Best site to get information on financial aid for students
www.salary.com/
- National average salary information For work environment:
www.idealist.org www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm
- Nonprofit job listings from around the world
R E SO U RCE S
- Learn more about work environments

www.monster.com http://www.uschamber.com/icw
- Job listings from around the world - Information about training initiatives and workforce development
http://www.jobcentral.com/youthcareers.asp strategies
- Links to several career-related sites for youth
For internships:
For shadowing a job: www.rileyguide.com/intern.html
www.jobshadow.org - Listings of apprenticeships, internships, or volunteer opportunities
- Has tips on how to get the most out of a job shadowing experience www.thejobresource.com/jobseekers/internships/
www.virtualjobshadow.com/vjs.asp - Listings of apprenticeships, internships, or volunteer opportunities
- Has videos with a “day in the life” of different career profiles
For geographic location:
For career exploration: www.bestplaces.net
http://www.careeronestop.org/ - To investigate the places you want to live
- Several career explorer resources; a good place to get started.
www.Career.missouri.edu/students/explore/thecareerinterests Jobs that do not require a Bachelor’s degree:
- Free career interests game to find out what fields might interest you www.stats.bls.gov/opub/ooq/1999/fall/art02.pdf
www.careerresource.net/carserv/ - Information about high earning jobs that do not require a bachelor’s
- Information from career centers at different universities from all degree
over the world
www.nycareerzone.org Occupational Outlook Handbook:
- You can post and access your personal career information on this www.bls.gov/oco
site and access other career websites - Comprehensive information about different occupations.
http://eff.cls.utk.edu/
- Information on the education improvement initiative for adults who Successful businesspeople interviews:
want career advancement www.streamingfutures.com
http://www.careervoyages.gov/ - Interviews with people who have succeded in their fields
- Information on different industries and training requirements
www.acteonline.org Informational interviews:
- General career information and training program information www.roadtripnation.com
http://www.heldrich.rutgers.edu - Interviews of college students who have or have not used their
- Information on best work practices and cutting edge workforce majors in their jobs
development strategies
Finance:
For work readiness: www.moneycentral.msn.com/content/collegeandfamily/
http://www.act.org/workkeys/assess/ Moneyinyour20s/P101676.asp
- Work readiness certification information produced by American - Information on young Americans going into debt
College Testing www.ntrbonline.com
http://www.workreadiness.com/ - Information on finances

- National work readiness credentials from Chamber of Commerce
https://www.casas.org/home/index.cfm?fuseaction=home. Career Advancement:
showContent&MapID=2057 - Beehive:
- Work skills certification system offered by Comprehensive Adult - http://www.nycareerzone.org/graphic/assessment/index.jsp
Student Assessment Systems - Earnmore: http://newyork.earnbenefits.org/

Sucess A T Work & Beyond: Objectives

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S S AT

success at work & beyond

SED102_DYCDguide_Sec4_M.indd 1 10/2/08 6:27:12 PM

How do you know which offer is the right one for

I would choose this job I would choose this job

Name ________________________ Date _______

SED102_DYCDguide_Sec4_M.indd 2 10/2/08 6:27:15 PM

success at work & beyond

C O N GRAT U L ATI O N S! YO U G O T T H E JO B - N OW WHAT?

Please list other factors that you would weigh.

Be sure to follow your gut when making your final choice!

Company values and culture

SED102_DYCDguide_Sec4_M.indd 3 10/2/08 6:27:17 PM

Verbally contact tHe eMPloyer once you HaVe decIded to

the position title

Be sure to thank them for the opportunity to interview and learn

you may want to re-open that door in the future.

SED102_DYCDguide_Sec4_M.indd 4 10/2/08 6:27:21 PM

give yourself a pat on the back!

success at work & beyond

C O N GRaT U L aTI O N S! YO U G O T T H E JO B - N O W WHaT?

use the checklIst below to keep yourself orgAnIzed And ensure

Name ________________________ Date _______

SED102_DYCDguide_Sec4_M.indd 5 10/2/08 6:27:24 PM

Avoid work-related gossip at all costs!

Observe non-verbal cues to better understand what the company values.

SED102_DYCDguide_Sec4_M.indd 6 10/2/08 6:27:26 PM

List other ideas you have about surviving your first

success at work & beyond

C O N GRAT U L ATI O N S! YO U G O T T H E JO B - N OW WHAT?

List more ways to have fun at your

Other Ideas for succeeding on the job:

Examples of what to list :

Learn what is appropriate to wear to work – and follow it

Name ________________________ Date _______

SED102_DYCDguide_Sec4_M.indd 7 10/2/08 6:27:28 PM

1 You know how to answer the phone

Do not eat or drink while you are on the phone

You are prepared

You know the golden rule

You want to do a great job

Name ________________________ Date _______

SED102_DYCDguide_Sec4_M.indd 8 10/2/08 6:27:30 PM

success at work & beyond

C O N GRAT U L ATI O N S! YO U G O T T H E JO B - N OW WHAT?

Name ________________________ Date _______

SED102_DYCDguide_Sec4_M.indd 9 10/2/08 6:27:32 PM

Being a professional doesn’t = “selling out” or not being yourself when

you get a job, it means fulfilling your responsibilities, being accountable

Name ________________________ Date _______

SED102_DYCDguide_Sec4_M.indd 10 10/2/08 6:27:34 PM

success at work & beyond

C O N GRAT U L ATI O N S! YO U G O T T H E JO B - N OW WHAT?

SED102_DYCDguide_Sec4_M.indd 11 10/2/08 6:27:36 PM

HARSH should have

Name ________________________ Date _______

SED102_DYCDguide_Sec4_M.indd 12 10/2/08 6:27:37 PM

success at work & beyond

Telling your boss you don’t want to do it, rolling

C O N GRAT U L ATI O N S! YO U G O T T H E JO B - N OW WHAT?

SED102_DYCDguide_Sec4_M.indd 13 10/2/08 6:27:39 PM

1. Please read the following exchanges.

Michelle gasps: Oh no!

Name __________________ Date _

Name __________________ Date _

Name __________________ Date _

Name __________________ Date _

Name __________________ Date _

Name __________________ Date _

Name __________________ Date _

Name __________________ Date _

Name __________________ Date _

Name __________________ Date _

Name __________________ Date _

Name __________________ Date _

Name __________________ Date _