Kiddo had a job interview this arvo.
Year 10 students in Victoria are required to undergo a work experience exercise. They are to find full-time work which lasts for a week. The employer has the discretion on whether to pay them. Most pay a token sum, but many don’t.
The exercise doubtless will give these kids an opportunity to find out what it’s like to wake up in the morning with the prospect of a full day’s work ahead of them. They learn how to show up on time, all prepared for the day’s work. They learn how to get along with their boss and colleagues and generally go about getting work done.
Apart from the work per se and the dynamics of the workplace, kids also experience the process of writing in to prospective employers and attending interviews. They learn to deal with rejections – either at the written application stage or the interview.
I suppose many don’t really go through the application process. These are kids who land the work experience roles at mum or dad’s workplace or hooked up through mum and dad’s friends or relatives – ie connections and networking of their parents secure them the role. I guess that too is an experience they can draw on later in life, as many would have secured their positions this way in real life too.
Tress and I considered hooking up with work connections to land her the role. I tried, but have yet to follow through – mainly because everyone has been really busy and I didn’t want to push too much. It will come back to bite if a sense of “I owe you one” becomes a bit too overpowering. To be perfectly honest, Tress and I were always going to turn to this avenue if all else fails.
As it turned out, Kiddo’s job interview went well and she got a job. Her first job.
Ante 