How to Keep a Job — How to Leave a Job	
How to Keep a Job — BE GRREAT!
•  Become a team player with coworkers and managers.  Team players working together create happy 
customers who spend money in the business — to buy products and servi
ces.
•  Enjoy your job by proving it.  Show energy when doing tasks.  Show desire to learn new tasks.  Do 
more than is expected of you.  Ask if there is anything else you can do when you are not busy.
•  Give customers your attention.  Do not chit-chat with coworkers about per
sonal events or the business. 
•  Respect those around you at work: coworkers, managers, customers, and cus
tomers' children.
•  Remember that you are learning skills for your future.  This job may not be your career choice, but you 
are getting  work experience and references that you may use on your future job appl
ications and resume.
•  Exit from your work area to use a phone to talk or text a message.  Phone
 or text only during rest breaks 
and meal periods.
•  Ask coworkers and managers for information.  If you have questions, speak
 up and ask.
•  Take time to learn about the business — its history and good things ab
out products sold  Try to 
remember customers' names!
How to Leave a Job — be POLITE!
•  Proper notice (1 to 2 weeks) is to be given to the manager.  Do 
not tell coworkers you are leaving before you tell the manager.
•  Organize your work history for future use on applications 
and resumes.  Write down the company name, address, phone 
number, dates of your employment, your job title, manager's 
name, and references you may use.  Put this information in a safe place 
for future use.
•  Leave everyone (coworkers and managers) feeling good about knowing you.
•  I don't care anymore attitude — is to be avoided.  Finish your schedul
ed hours with 100% effort.
•  Thank the manager for the opportunity of working in the business and lear
ning new skills.
•  Explain (briefly) to the manager why you are leaving with a positive reason and positive attitude.
QUICK CHECK:
1.  a) What do team players working together create?  b) List 4 ways to prove 
that you enjoy your job.
2.  a) Who gets your attention?  b) In your opinion, why do supervisors not li
ke to hear workers 
chit-chat with coworkers about personal events — or the business?
3.  a) List 4 people to respect.  b) What do you remember?  c) What 2 things are you getting?
4.  a) When can you phone or text?  b) What do you do if you have questions?
5.  a) List 2 things you need to know about the business.  b) What do you try to remember?
6.  a) How long is proper notice?  b) Who do you NOT tell before telling the manager?
7.  a) How do you leave people feeling?  b) What is to be avoided?  c) How do you finish?
8.  a) Who do you thank?  b) For what?  c) What do you explain to the manager?
9.  Do you think you can follow these tips:  a) For keeping a job?  b) For
 leaving a job?  
U.S. Work World
CAREER mini-lesson
College & Career Publishing. Permission to use with usworkworld.com subscription.