Career Readiness Reflection

1.What are some ways that you can best prepare for your first day in a new workplace? If you are
already working, reflect on what your first day was like and discuss one thing that you would
improve to make your first day more successful.
Some ways you can best prepare for your first day in a new workplace would be to communicate
with your employer. Ask any questions you have so you know what you’re walking into the first
day on the job. Something I would have improved on my first day working would be asking even
more questions than I did and not being scared to speak up when you’re confused about a
response, asking someone to rephrase or break it down is okay.

2.Which form of payment would you most like to receive in your job-wage, salary, or
commission? Discuss the pros and cons of this type of payment and why you prefer this form
over others.
I receive a minimum of $15.50 an hour for minimum wage plus tips. Working in a restaurant
making tips is a great way to have another flow of income always coming your direction. Taking
on holidays or days like Saturdays and Sundays, the weekend, can raise your hourly pay along
with your tips. A pro would be, you are able to work and make sales. The more sales the more
money you receive in your paycheck. A con would be, working in a restaurant owing “the
house” for cash payments from customers due to varying restaurant systems.

3.Review the seven qualities that are desirable and an employee. Select two qualities that you
feel are strengths in two qualities that you feel need improvement. Provide examples to support
why these are strengths and discuss actions you plan to make to improve.
Reviewing the seven qualities that are desirable of an employee, I took the two from the list of
seven, these being leadership skills and organization skills. These two qualities are my personal
strengths. I am able to step up when needed to, and keep my workspace along with others
organized for the functionality of the restaurant. Two qualities where I may need improvement
are positive attitude and how I come into work. Some days can be harder than others and
motivation in the morning to go to work early can be hard, but by setting alarms and making a
schedule can lead to positive attitude improvements and routine.

4.Describe a time when you had to deal with conflict. How did you handle the situation? Discuss
one thing you would improve to handle the situation better.
I have had multiple occasions where I’ve had to deal with conflict in a respectful and calm
manner. Working in a restaurant you can get customers that are unsatisfied with their service due
to other workers, sometimes you have to come to an agreement or a compromise with the
customer. Something I have done to improve the situation, is getting my manager involved when
needed.
5.Why is safety on the job important? What ways do you stay safe in your everyday life and how
can you increase your level of safety at school, work, and at home?
Safety on the job is important to make sure not only employees but customers are in good hands.
Working with food it is required to wash hands after handling food, to prevent germs and
bacteria being spread, taking into consideration major health precautions. Ways I stay safe in my
everyday life would be washing my hands as frequently as possible and staying alert of my
surroundings.

6.What plan do you have for becoming a lifelong learner? How do you plan to keep your skills
current so you can remain relevant to employers?
I plan on becoming a lifelong learner by accepting responsibility for my own learning, Reading a
lot, whether that’s one book a month or five, continuously taking courses and classes to better my
knowledge on my education, and embracing change as time goes on. I plan on keeping my skills
current and up-to-date by staying in the loop with modern education so I am relevant to
employers throughout the future.