Almost 24 hours of work so far.

One day of 8, the next of 6, and today I logged 9 hours!

All were very fun for me!

My boss is INCREDIBLY laid back, like no other!
Doesn't really care if you're late, leave early, wanna take a rest anytime you want, wanna grab lunch.

Made my boss incredibly impressed, soldered in front of him, replaced a DC power jack (or two), and some small soldering.... Told me that it was amazing at how much I knew at 16 years of age.. Thanks to RC I suppose!

Best part... he has an Ayoue INT 968 hot air station... holy cow is that thing sweet!
I've been using regular cheapo irons all my life, and finally got to use one... and on a customer's laptop no less!
I was sweating a ton, but still did a dang good job, if I do say so myself!

Also found out that I may be replacing our main hardware guy (for laptop and stuff), who is currently getting paid ~$22 an hour!

So if I do take over, will be getting quite a lot!
Especially for just my first job!

Still excited about working..
I guess I'll come back in another 20 years!

Good for you.
 

Good for you young man. It is nice to hear this kind of info about an individual private type of PC business. I hope things go well for you as long as you like working there. It sounds like this will be a very good experience in the IT tech world for you, and who knows where it may launch you to next. I am not an IT techy, but if I were I would try to learn every facet of the business and divercify my skills so that I could do anything and everything in the computer business.

I have a close friend who started out in the IT field in the mid 90's when the computer business was really just getting started. He taught himself through video training programs, and on line Microsoft/DOS/Lenix ceritfication courses and reached a level that put him above a lot of his peers and competitors. He began working through a temp agency, and wound up being hired after one year by the same company. After 15-20 years in the business he now works for a company in Charlotte, NC that administrates a very large % (60-80%) of business and account controls for all of the major banks in the USA.

He started at about $20 an hour and is now earning approx $80K-$100K per year, and is the number one PC guy in his company. He alway tells me how amazed he is at how many complete idiots work in this field because they are just too dammed lazy to learn and improve their skill level. Knowedge is power. The good thing about driving yourself and becoming the best that you can be in any buisness is that even if you were to lose your job for whatever reason it would be fairly easy to find another one because of your reputation and experience. Work hard while you are young and reap the benefits when you are older. I retired at the age of 38 from the US Navy and receive $20K a year for doing absolutely nothing for the rest of my life. So now work is not an absolute neccesity for my survival. Work hard, but also work smart with your eye always on where you want to be when you retire.

Just got the news today that I am officially employed (almost 1 month exactly from date of the interview). My first taste of corporate hiring, they sure make you jump through plenty of hoops! Stacks of paperwork, background check, drug screen, etc. But all totally worth it. Start on July 11th and can't wait.

I also think there was some divine intervention, funny story:

When I sat down for the interview, the very first thing the recruiter says: "So tell me a good joke." My brain instantly panics. The only jokes I really remember are at best inappropriate for a job interview, at worst downright despicable. What am I supposed to do!?!? Then I remembered, on Easter Sunday my mother asked me to go to church with her. Now, I'm not very religious, but I was raised going to church every Sunday, and I generally make a point to go on the holidays (more for my mother than anything). Well during the sermon the pastor told a joke that, while not particularly funny, was at least OK to tell in polite company. And for whatever reason I remembered it. Told the joke to the recruiter, we had a good laugh to break the ice, and from there the interview went perfectly. As I said I'm not very religious, but I think the man upstairs was looking out for me on that one!

The moral of the story: always remember one clean joke, you never know when you'll need it.

Thought I'd let you guys know.

I wanted to find an internship for this summer (as well as in general to gain experience). I went in for my interview last Tuesday (a week ago) and they said they'd let me know early this week. Got a call early Monday morning and they offered me the job.

I just filled out all the paperwork (was seriously 1/2" thick stack, never wrote my name and address so many times in my life) and took the drug test today. I emailed the HR lady to ask when I would start (I'd like to start right away, but if it's not for a while I wanted to know so I could enjoy my summer a little).

Anyway, I used a lot of the advice outlined here and it helped a lot. So even though this thread wasn't made for me, it sure helped, so thanks to everyone who contributed.

Great to hear.
 

Its great to hear that we can contribute to heling others overcome abstacles no matter what they may be. I served 20+ year in teh US Navy and was taught that our number one job as we grow is to help others to grow with us. In the military you are always told that teaching others is your own contribution towards training your replacements. I have always been lucky enough to have some pretty good crews and was able to teach them to do my job. While doing so it not only gave me some slack to do other things, but it also helped to lift them up to meet their own dreams and goals.

Doing interviews is supposed to be a challenge so that the potential employers get a chance to see just how motivated you are about wanting the job. Being qualified is only one of the aspects to selling yourself for a new job. Confidence, motivation, enthusiasm, and persistance are major keys to breaking through the walls of being able to confince someone to hire you. Like anything in life this is a learning experience that all of us have to go through in order to become good at it. Even after you get the job you have to convince your boss every day as to why they should keep you on their payroll by doing a great job and setting an example of integrity, and the willingness to grow with the company, and not become an irritating fungus that needs to be killed and flushed away.

I wish I had seen this thread a little earlier!

A big new casino was built just across the boarder. I applied and after a few days I called set up an interview. I went in on Monday, 3 days after it opened.

I wore a new pair or khaki shorts and a nice new shirt. Maybe should have worn jeans??

Today's Wednesday, two days later, and I haven't heard back just yet..

I said I could work mornings and into the afternoons, and the guy said they were kinda looking for someone who could work mornings and evenings.

I'm probably sol

Did they tell you when they would let you know?

If they did, wait until the day after they said they'd get back to you, and if you haven't heard anything, call the next day (e.g., if they said they'd tell you Wed and you heard nothing, call Thursday). On the other hand, if they didn't say anything I'd say give them a call back tomorrow (err, today, I guess). Thursday makes 3 days and that's a reasonable follow up time.

Dressing to meet the job is important. Obviously you don't want to apply for a typical janitors job in a full Hugo Boss suit but as a general rule it's better to be over-dressed than under-dressed. To my interview I work black dress shoes, black slacks, a light blue dress shirt, a dark blue tie, and a black leather belt. I also had a leather folder with a few copies of my resume and some other stuff relating (basically renderings of things I've drawn on solidworks and the finished product). I was applying for a mechanical engineering internship.

As Jerry said, there are a lot of ways they try to weed out people who are just blasting off resumes trying to find a job just cause they need the money. I mean, granted, most people getting a job are in it for the money one way or another, but you have to show the people you have an interest to work there and are motivated.

For me, I was referred by a friend (MetalMan on here, actually, though he hasn't logged on here in a while), and I sent in my resume. The HR lady said thanks for applying, and we will let you know. I immediately replied that I was looking forward to the next step. The next day she asked me to schedule a convenient time for me to interview. I gave her the times that worked for me and let them choose the exact time. She told me the time and I replied in the email confirming I would be there and that I was looking forward to meeting everyone. Went in for my interview (went great), and a few hours after I emailed my interviewer thanking him for his time and saying I look forward to contributing the company. They said they'd let me know early next week, and sure thing, by 10am Monday I got the call with them offering me the job, and I've been as prompt as possible with everything since. I start in a week and a half or so.

So, as you can see, following up and being persistent (but not pushy) is very important.

Unless you are applying for some type of outdoor job or athletic type place where shorts are the normal dress shorts are a no no to interviews.

Being it was a casino my bet is that the have a semi formal dress environment. Most casinos I have been in have some kind of uniform where the base for men is probably white button down and black slacks then they supply a vest or similar.

Always at least wear pants and a nice polo. Slacks and a button down is best for most jobs. A suit and tie can be necessary for certain jobs however most offices don't dress quite that formally any more.

Every man should have at least two pair of slacks (one black, one khaki) and two to three nice button downs, a nice pair of shoes, and belts. None of this has to be expensive, you can find most of it at Target if needed for less than much of the casual clothing costs now days.

I hate dressing up and despise suits and ties, however, I still have dress clothing for when I need it. I mean, I wear shorts and sandals to church if that tells you anything.

Figured I'd inform you guys of what has been going on at my work, and have a little "issue".

Been working for 2 weeks now (Started Mon, June 6)..

I've logged 48 hours, and 30 minutes (We log it in QuickBooks up front).

It IS computer repair, and his business is great (for now at least).
We just got slammed with dozens of clients a couple days ago, and it was non stop work to catch up and get these computers out of the shop collecting dust.

Anyways, I wanted to touch base with my boss about pay, but I just don't know how to bring it up.
I obviously don't want to nag him, however would really like to start getting paid, since it seems like I'm doing a lot more hardware intensive work then the rest of the employees (who mostly do software, besides one genius hardware guy); which would probably be much better pay.

However, because of my age, 16, and I guess a "summer intern", he hasn't really gotten to the payroll.

I want to bring it up tomorrow @ work (if I get called in), but not sure how to politely ask...

You work and should get paid. It's always best to ask up front but still it's you're right. A job is a business deal, you provide work for money. Very simple, you worked, he owes you. You need to go talk to him about it, be polite, but also stand up for yourself.

Don't let yourself get down the road and take a chance on getting stiffed for your work. Also keep records for yourself of your hours too.

This is good advice

He may have forgotten about it, when you're busy these things can happen. Just ask the question

Generally speaking in small business (from the employees perspective) it's wiser to get paid more frequently. This reduces pressure on cash flow for the business & keeps cash in your pocket. Your employer should also understand this

Coming in a little late however....

I employ 10-20 new staff each year into a variety of positions. We have a casual work environment by virtue of the industry but I wouldn't employ somebody who wore shorts to an interview...to me it says the person isn't going to take the job seriously. You only get one chance at a first impression

To change the perspective a little but still relevant to the interview scenario; I also have employees who ask for pay increases on the basis they have been in the job a while. I never give an increase for this reason alone. My advice to those who ask is...

Consider your self as a business person & the business you are representing is you. You are the business. You are working to improve your business & increase it's turnover. You may be looking for a new client (employer) & you need to attract the 'client' to you. You may be looking to put your prices up (pay increase) & you need to able to justify the price increase......if you think commercially, you work commercially. Most employers will appreciate this & work with you to help improve 'your business' - why wouldn't they? you're benefitting their business

In respect to wearing casual (albeit clean & neat) clothing to your interview, your 'customer' can't see your 'product' displayed to it full potential & you risk the 'customer' moving on to the next 'product' that catches their eye

Walked into work today, and was told that I would be getting $1000 at the end of my summer "internship".

Not too happy, but not too upset.

Was hoping for quite a bit more, however at my age, I'm lucky to be getting a job & slight pay at it.

Though, I have put a little over 54 hours within the past 2 weeks, so I guess it's time to dial the hours back.

What was the basis of your employment? did you discuss an hourly rate or anything along those lines?

Pay was never discussed, seeing as I was told I was being paid an unknown stipend internship.

I don't know your employment laws but if you were in Sydney you'd have recourse against your 'employer'

I agree, wind those hours back to something that suits you

Fishy
 

Sounds a little bit fishy to me. Considering that you have now worked a full two weeks I would think it is time to have a sit down with your new employer to discuss exactly what your time is worth to you and to him.

Wow, that's crappy. I own an IT support business and would never follow that philosophy. Internship or not if you signed on as an employee there are certain laws he has to follow.

First in foremost you have to be paid minimum wage including over time when applicable.

It sounds to me like he is taking advantage of you for cheap (almost free) labor.

Even at 20 hours a week for a 10-12 week summer you should make no less than 7.25 per hour which is 1,450.00 at minimum. It sounds more to me like you are at 30-40 hours per week which is 2,175.00 minimum. This is before taxes of course.

As you are you are making less than 4 per hour. Day labor unskilled illegal workers make more than that.

Are you learning skills or using skills you already had?

Seriously, you could come out better working at most fast food joints.

Going back to PBO's posts on raises I wholeheartedly agree.

You earn a raise, you don't deserve it based on employment length or some kind of personal need/desire to have more money. (despite what employee unions see to think)

With my employees in the past if they come to me telling me the need/desire a raise, I send them back out and tell them to come back when they have a list of reasons they deserve and/or have earned a raise.

After today's events this thread popped in my head, so I'll post what happened. After a totally dry summer of engineering interviews/interest in me, out of the blue an oil drilling company calls saying they got my resume from monster. Well after a couple weeks of waiting I finally did an interview over Skype with them, I didn't think it went particularly well since they are mainly looking for an electrical engineer and I'm civil...but they liked me it seems since they are flying me down to Houston, TX from Great Falls, MT (an expensive air port to fly from).

Don't have a date set yet, will have them book my tickets tomorrow morning. Pretty excited.

Thats great news
 

Hey Brain that is great news. Don't think for a second that this is a lock, but most of the time when they want to spend money to fly you into their neck of the woods to take a closer look at you that means that you are seriously being considered to fill the spot. Especially in these tough times when every company is looking to cut expenses. It sounds like an intrueging position to be in. Good luck with your trip and second interview. Houston is not too bad of a place to be working. Besides the oil business in one place that is still making bank with our economy being so crappy.

I wouldn't be working in Houston, that is just where the home office is. I would be working up in North Dakota on the oil fields, and sometimes in the Pennsylvania area. 2 weeks on 1 week off I think. or something like that....
I will also be driving 4 hours to interview with the Montana Dept. of Transportation, I've interviewed with them probably 3 times through my college career, so we'll see what comes of it.

That's a bit absurd. Assuming you keep up your current work hours until the end of summer, you're putting in roughly 27 hours a week at this point. 27 hours a week at 10 weeks (what most set-length summer internships are), is 270 hours.

$1000 for 270 hours results in less than $3.75 an hour. United States minimum wage (I'm fairly sure you live in the US) is $7.25 an hour, nearly twice that. You're pretty much getting the shaft here.

Most internship offers I see earn a stipend of roughly $3000 for 8 weeks, which if you consider 40 hours a week is over $9 an hour, some offer more at $4000 or $4500 for the same time period.

I would talk to him about this. Make it clear you aren't thrilled about this but also bring up the legal issues about this, though try to bring it up in a way where you are looking out for him, not trying to twist his arm.

internships
 

Yea we see interns in the US Department of State and I can tell you for sure that most of them make $10 per hour or better, plus the Department flies them to US Embassies around the world to do these internships. Our teenagers (16-18)work their summer breaks and most of them make $8.50 to $10.00 per hour. This guys is for sure taking advantage of you and hoping that no one will be the wiser. If you sit back and take that crap you are setting yourself up for the same kind of employer treatment in the future. One of the things about learning the work force is knowing what your worth and standing up for yourself when it is needed. Even if you say something and he tells you to have a nice day you can do better working your summer at McDonalds working the french fryer 20-30 hours per week. Don't you work your butt off for this Dusche and get poop for payment for a full summer. Thats just wrong.

most engineering internships pay at least $15 an hour.
Of course the experience on your resume is what pays off in the end (who am I kidding...the $$$ is what you care about NOW, lol).

Hey guys, just as an update since today was my last day @ work, and I start school on Monday.

I talked to him about 3 weeks into the job and we had a pretty good conversation, his main reasoning behind the $1000 stipend was because that was more or less the best he could do.

Since he is a fairly small business, I understood, so I brought up the idea of editing my hours per week to make it a fair hourly wage.

I went with twice a week, 6 hours a day, and for an estimated 8 weeks, is about 96 hours total. (Beside the 54 hours in two weeks, my first two weeks), divided by a thousand, equals out to about $10.4/hour, which actually is a great wage for a 16 year old, IMO.

As far as the 54 hours/2 weeks, I was actually given a few "bonuses" of $20-$40 a couple times, usually when a big fat invoice was paid by one of our customers; just about 4 times or so.

Sure, I could be making more by lifeguarding (which I originally wanted to do, but ended up giving the IT field a shot first), about $5 more; but this IS my first legitimate year in the commercial industry, and at 16 years old, I'm fine with the wage.

He asked if I would be willing to work weekends during the school year; I told him as long as I would be receiving a set hourly wage.
He replied by saying I would receive a wage, a little under our other two, very experienced (One worked for Geek Squad, I know, awful, but later worked for a very large company in business & residential, and now just works whenever he is needed; our other has an internship w/ a couple large companies, one being Microsoft. A+ certified...
Both are mid-20's), who are making about $16-20/hourly.

As long as I make right above $12/hour, I'm happy.

$12ish an hour on the weekends during school isn't bad by any means! Hell, I've got 3 years experience working at hastings entertainment (books/music/movie retailer/renter) and when I went back to work there for something to do while I looked for an engineering job, they're paying me $7.50....same wage as a first hire. I changed my schedule to only work there a couple days a week, lol.

You're obviously a well balanced person who has the ability to see reason but the reason he gave you "because that was more or less the best he could do" IMO is absolute BS. I believe he took you on because he thought he'd make a great return on his small outlay. When you addressed the issue he rolled over & by default agreed to a higher rate (less hours, same remuneration)

I think you have the outcome you should have had in the first instance & good for you for taking control of the situation but don't fall for the old line "I'm a small struggling business" - he was happy for you to work every hour you did & he wasn't going to suggest otherwise. He would have charged as many of your hours as he possibly could

It's important to stand up for yourself

brain: Roughly in that ballpark, I'll be more than glad to take it :)

PBO:
totally understand what you mean, but it was already a bit too late in the summer to try and find another job, I also applied to other shops to no avail, mainly because of my inexperience.

Don't take what I said the wrong way, you did the right thing & you got the right outcome - it's just a shame you needed to put the employer on the spot to get it

Trust me on this though, you have learnt a valuable lesson - one you will benefit from many times over in your life. Well done

Lessons
 

In fact the biggest lesson you should have learned is to make sure you discuss the pay before you do even one hour of work. Its not rude to ask, and in fact expected if you really want to be respected on the job. No one in his right mind will work without knowing up front what he will be paid. The only exception to that rule is if the employer insisits on seeing how well or not so well your work ethic is, before making a final decision on what your time is worth. Kind of like a probationary period. For me I would not go more than a week though. I have enough experience to be more demanding on having a pay rate up front. Still it all worked out for the best and you left with your head held high, because you made sure that you were heard. Good luck in school young man.

Also, you need to look at total compensation, beyond just hourly wage or salary. Insurance benefits, 401k, pension, profit sharing, etc. can be a big part of your "pay" for doing your job.

Of course if you're looking into summer jobs during HS and college this doesn't really factor in so much, but keep it under your hat because in the future it will.