Tips on surviving at first job for new employees
Entering the workforce for the first time need not be a scary prospect.
And students from Cambridge High School will get some tips from someone who has negotiated some difficult times in the workplace.
Rebecca Jenkins hopes her free presentation to students, also open to the community, will give people some handy tools to use when heading into the workforce.
Jenkins owns Cambridge human resources consultancy firm Livewirehr.
‘‘I offer a presentation around helping students to get some experience around interviewing and applying for roles,’’ she said.
‘‘And then I also offer for them to learn a little bit about their rights as an employee.’’
She would share her advice in the presentation including tips on CVs, cover letters, appearances and the 90-day trial.
‘‘When they present their CV it’s making sure that it’s really clear, understandable and writing a really good cover letter with it,’’ Jenkins said.
Jenkins has had her fair share of horrible bosses and was passionate about protecting young people in the workforce.
‘‘I know what it’s like to have a boss that picks on you, or constantly tells you that you’re useless or, even sexually harasses you,’’ she said.
She said these scenarios were happening too often, and the best thing to was to talk to someone.
‘‘I would suggest that they go and seek somebody who they trust, that they can explain the situation to and get that support, also coming to a person like myself,’’ Jenkins said.
‘‘It’s really not acceptable, it’s not how we want to be seen in New Zealand.
‘‘It’s definitely not part of our clean green image and yet it happens all of the time.’’
Jenkins was new to Cambridge and this would be the second time she has delivered the presentation to a school. She has owned Livewirehr for three years, mostly helping employees through difficult situations.
The presentation will be held at Cambridge High School, from 6pm to 8pm on October 25.