The Job Shadow

Tips on job shadowing:

1. Think about adults you know. Is your mom’s best friend a florist? Maybe your uncle runs a sporting goods store. Contact them and simply ask if you can spend a few hours watching them work. Most people are delighted to help teens get job experiences.
   
   
2. After you’ve contacted people you know, make the leap and call some people you don’t know. Is there a company in your town that manufactures skis? Call up and ask if you can job shadow one of their employees. Be adventurous!
   
   
3. Arrive at the job shadow on time. Remember, this experience could result in a future job. The person you are shadowing still has a job to do, so you don’t want to delay their schedule. Remember that you are not only representing you, but Echo as well--let's make a make a respectable name for our school!
   
   
4. Dress up! No you don’t need to wear a tuxedo or business suit, but you do need to look professional. Khakis and a clean shirt or blouse are safe to wear in almost all business settings. Leave the cut-offs and halter tops at home. There are exceptions of course. If you will be working outside or doing some kind of labor, I'm sure jeans and boots are fine. If you have questions about attire, just call--better safe than sorry.
   
   
5. Take along a notebook and pencil to jot down notes. If you do several job shadows, you’ll appreciate having the information to look back on, and it will be very helpful when you get to your project/presentation planning.
   
   
6. Be prepared to help and get involved. I found myself helping design shoes at NIKE, working out with a fitness instructor and feeding lettuce to an overweight sea turtle. Even if you realize the job would never interest you, remain positive. Don’t say, “This job seems boring. How do you do it every day?”
   
   
7. Grab artifacts (flyers, brochures, business cards, pamphlets, etc) and take pictures (ask permission first) to document your experience. Remember, artifacts and pictures make great additions to portfolios/final presentations...
   
   
8. After the job shadow, listen to your mother and write a thank you note. It’s good training for when you go on job interviews, plus it keeps an open communication with the person you shadowed and makes a good impression on what could be a future employer!