From my first job I learned these very important things:
- People want a connection, not a product
- Experience matters
- Unions are terrible
I was 17 years old and had decided that it would be fun to get a summer job at our local Amusement Park.
As I was a child performer, they put me in the “Merchandise” department, where with a small amount of training and a daily visit to the costume department, I would become a brand new character, ready to sell souvenir merchandise to the park’s guests.
I would sing, dance, do whatever it took to get people to notice me in my kiosk.
And they did come, and they did buy.
I was soon “promoted” to the recording studio, where it became my job to run the sound board when people wanted to sing souvenir karaoke versions of their favorite songs. I was to pipe particularly good voices outside so people would come in.
When no one was there, it was my job to get into the booth and sing myself, like the pied piper.
It was probably the easiest job I’ve ever had.
I was learning how to craft an experience for people, create a connection, and how naturally a sale comes from that.
I loved it, until I got my first paycheck – I’d had money removed for “union dues.” I asked what union, and they told me, and said there was a meeting that evening (wasn’t I lucky?)
I went to the meeting and was promptly told that I couldn’t enter – I was only 17, too young to participate.
I said if I was too young, why were they taking my money?
They said that they were “protecting my interests” even though I was a minor.
I asked to stay, and at least see what interests they were protecting, but they forcefully escorted me to my car.
From that day on, I’ve had a dislike for unions as a general concept.
I have to investigate each one I encounter individually to overcome the “repulsion.”
Originally Posted: https://www.quora.com/Jobs-and-Careers-What-were-the-best-things-you-learned-on-your-first-job
Originally Posted On: 2016-03-22