Ugh, this is so embarrassing to admit since I'm 20 and all, but I've never had a real job before.

My parents were always really against me getting a job in high school, and even now. They had to work to get themselves through school, and they don't want me to have to do through that. They say school is my job. So, I have almost a 4.0 GPA in college, but I feel like I'm... irresponsible, or lacking the experience (particularly working with the public) that my peers have. When I tell people my parent's stance, they say "You're so lucky!" But I don't feel lucky... I sort of wish they made me get a job. I'm really shy and I think out of all kids, it would have helped ME the most to get a job. I could handle something super part time (>15 hrs a week) with my work load at school, but to be completely honest, I've been putting it off because I'm scared.

I decided this summer it's time to get it over with. I mentioned it to a friend, who mentioned it to another friend, who apparently works at a psychiatrist's office. The receptionist is going on maternity leave around the time the spring semester ends, and he said he can hook me up with an interview to take her spot for the summer. It's a REALLY good job, and it's kind of a perfect first job too.. I'm sort of lucky to have this opportunity but I'm TERRIFIED. He called today but I missed it while in class. I think his boss might already be trying to set up an interview!

Does anyone have any advice? I guess I just want some reassurance that everything will be OK. Any advice or stories would be greatly appreciated....

This sounds like a great way to dive into the paid labor market. Certainly much more pleasant than many "first jobs," mine included.

There's no need to be scared. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out, and you can find something else. And, if it helps, look at it this way: you'll have a "first job" sometime!

Good luck, and have fun! You'll probably be much better at it than you think.

//b. strong,
Kim

Call him back when you're in a good head space. Calm yourself down and then be as professional as you can.

I started working in a doctor's office. They need to believe you're trust-worthy, because you have access to confidential files and paperwork. if you can, emphasis this: you're older, so you're mature enough to interact with patients confidently and discreetly. You recognize the sensitive nature of the position, and you're respectful of the patient's need for a professional receptionist. If you have any office skills (Microsoft Office, Internet, typing skills, etc) make sure to mention those.

You'll be fine. Really, working in a office was my favorite job I've ever had. Stay calm, be confident in yourself.

That sounds like a fantastic first job. I was a receptionist for my first job as well, but it was in a mall office, not a doctor's office. Super-simple work, just be pleasant and answer the phone with the proper greeting and you're golden.

As for the interview, just take a couple of deep breaths and believe that they want to hire you from the moment you walk through the door. The fact that the guy's already helping set up the interview is great news. Just think about the interview this way: being well-groomed, pleasant, and honest already puts you in front of 50% of the other people applying for the job, so you've got nothing to worry about.

Please don't feel at all embarrassed about your starting work at 20. You have a nice long lifetime during which to work, so it isn't like you're late out of the gate and won't catch up. (Really, there's nothing to catch up with, as your first job is the kind of pleasant work that most people don't find until their second or third job; you just skipped the "training wheels" phase of work.)

Kudos to your parents for giving you the opportunity to focus so intently on your education and kudos to you for taking the initiative to enter the workforce. I think both you and your parents are lucky!

I think the fact that you WANT the experience is great! Shows you have enthusiasm, that's always a good thing.
I have friends that didn't have a job until their mid 20's, and only because they were 'forced' to.

The enthusiastic attitude is great, particularly if you are dealing with the public IMO (comes from years of running a hotel front office, I always noticed that the ones I hired with that enthusiasm always became the ones most at ease and comfortable, great employees - including the shy ones )

ditto to the attire and honesty.

Good luck to you!!

Awesome and way to go in school, employers will want you just cause how well you have done in school. If you have a few good freinds ask if they can mock interview you. Some questions they will ask may be like where do you see yourself in 5 years, that one is always scary but you can think about it that way you may have some preparation, also, how would you handle a upset or angry patient, some good answers to questions are that you would like to learn from the team that is already in place at the workplace and some employers have their own way of dealing with things. Highlight your school experience and saying you worked hard to get good grades and you would like to work just as hard at learning a new job. Be positive you will do great! If you don't know the answer to a question you could say you would like to learn once the specific situation would come up.
I have interviewed for many jobs over my career - higher level exec stuff, government positions, try to remember people are just people no matter what thier position in their work may be. They may have kids your age and knowing that may help you be more relaxed, they have parents, they started somewhere as well, you may have higher grades then they did and that is something that should make you feel great! Good luck

Another positive to emphasize is how organized you are managing your time with X amount of credit hours of classes and turning in projects and papers on time. And that now you feel ready to add another aspect to course work with on-the-job experience.

I would go to your school's career center and ask if they do practice interviews or have materials on resumes and interviewing. Also, make sure to tell the person who interviews you that you want the job, that goes a long way!

Your parents are setting you up for failure no offense. Depending on your field if you walk out with a degree and ZERO job experience employers will pick people with a degree AND job experience. I've seen it happen with a few friends of mine in college whose parents were the same and it hurt them because employers were like "22 and never worked?"

It's good you are looking for work- I'd also suggest looking for internships in your field because if your parents help you financially you can take a "job" that pays nothing. Internships REALLY get you ahead of the game- do at least 2 different ones before you graduate. My internship helped me so much.

As for the interview google "interview questions" and see what are good answers and also google what NOT to do at interviews.

For your interview you should be dressed nicely. Hair away from your face, no not a bun but a ponytail OR hair half up half down, light makeup, and closed toed shoes.

Best advice I can give is to not babble and practicing questions are SO important. I always practice my answers out loud so when I go I'm pretty prepared for most questions.

I know Beerab, none taken. I feel the same way. My major is nursing. How am I supposed to go into a high stress job like nursing with no experience? Even if I decided to become a CNA while waiting to get into a program, I feel I should have some experience doing SOMETHING.... My dad is pretty chauvinist to be honest and I think he doesn't want me to get a job not just because he wants things to be easier on me, but for his own pride. I actually don't talk to my mom anymore, so it's mostly my dad that doesn't want me to get a job.

Well, I guess the guy wants a resume first. My boyfriend's dad is always interviewing/hiring people (he used to be a top manager for a big insurance company) so he'll help me put together a resume and do mock interviews. I'm going to talk to him tonight.

Thanks for all of your advice everyone, it helps SO much.

I definately agree-don't finish college with absolutely no work experience. If I had a resume come through me for a position, no matter how wonderful your GPA, was I'd interview someone with some sort of work experience over none.
Have you been accepted into the nursing program? Can you do some internships during the summer and breaks? Ask some nurses that are actually working in their field what type of experience would be helpful. No point in getting your CNA if it's not helpful...when I did it, you had to attend classes and pay $125 and that was <cough> a couple years ago...ok more like 25 yrs ago.

Good luck