Starting a New Job? Must-Know Tips for Students
Starting a new job can make even the most confident job seeker feel like they’re back in middle school on the first day–unsure where to sit, what to say, or if they’ll embarrass themselves before lunch.
For teens and adults stepping into their first jobs, the jitters are even stronger. In fact, 87% of job seekers experience new job anxiety, with 53% admitting it's scarier than going to the dentist, holding a snake, or even skydiving (Forbes, 2023). Yikes.
Just making it to the first day of a new job is a journey in itself–one full of stress, uncertainty, and obsessively refreshing their inbox. If your students have recently working, they've already been through the wringer.
First, there was the job hunt–probably a mix of scrolling social media and asking around. Maybe they polished up a resume and cover letter, but, realistically, most probably dove straight into the online application. Then came the waiting game. Some lucked out with an on-the-spot interview, while others spent days anxiously checking their phones for a callback. And when that job offer finally arrived? Chances are, they said yes on the spot, without a second thought to salary, hours, or benefits. (No judgment—just prime material for a future post on why negotiation matters. 🤔)
Once they accept the job offer, students face a gauntlet of paperwork and procedures. Suddenly, the excitement of getting hired is mixed with nerves and a lot of “Wait, what does this form even mean?” as they try to make sense of their new role.
Navigating Employment Agreements
Breaking Down the Basics: What is an Employment Agreement?
Before they can begin to worry about the first day, students need to start by officially accepting the job—and that usually means signing something. Employment agreements can range from a simple job offer letter to a full-blown legal contract. At the most basic level, a job offer letter lays out key details like the pay rate and start date. Some employers also require new hires to acknowledge receipt of the staff handbook, which spells out company policies and expectations.
A more detailed employment agreement might cover job responsibilities, compensation, and benefits, while a full contract of employment is the most formal option—comprehensive terms, including job duties, benefits, and legal clauses. And if the job is unionized? There’s likely a collective bargaining agreement–a contract negotiated between the employer and the labor union to cover wages, hours, and working conditions for a group of employees.
Key Elements to Look for in Employment Agreements
A standard employment agreement usually covers the basics, but there can be a lot of fine print. Here are the key elements students should keep an eye on:
Job title and description
Length of employment
Duties and responsibilities
Salary and benefits
Work schedule and location
Non-compete clauses (restrictions on working for competitors during or after employment)
Intellectual property clauses (who owns the work produced)
Keys areas to examine when reviewing an employment agreement.
It’s absolutely crucial that students read their employment agreement carefully, ask questions if something doesn’t make sense, and make sure they fully understand what they’re signing before putting pen to paper. Here are a few areas they should pay extra attention to:
Termination Conditions: Employees can be let go for poor performance, misconduct, or violating company policies. This is also the perfect time to talk about “at-will” employment—where either the employee or employer can terminate the relationship at any time, with or without notice or reason.
Common Legal Clauses (Important reminder: I'm not an attorney. This isn’t legal advice, just a quick, informational overview of common practices!)
Confidentiality: Restrictions on discussing trade secrets, proprietary information, business strategies, personnel issues, or other sensitive information.
Non-Compete: May prohibit an employee from working for or starting a competing business within a specific geographic area or time period after leaving the company.
In this Employability Skills lesson, there’s a fun activity that challenges students to read and interpret a sample employment agreement. Hidden within the agreement are some quirky little details to ensure students are reading closely and paying attention!
Tackling New Hire Paperwork
The Paperwork Gauntlet: What to Expect
After signing the employment agreement, students still have to power through the new hire paperwork. Here’s a typical list of what to expect:
Employment authorization (passport, resident card, social security card, etc.)
Government-issued ID
Contact information
Emergency contact information
Direct deposit information
Tax forms
Health insurance and benefits enrollment
Consent to a background check and/or drug test
Proof of training, licensure, or certification
Don’t forget to grab the free employment checklist! It’s a helpful gift for both you and your students—something they can use now or refer back to later as a resource. And as they dive into the world of employment (and other adulting adventures), it’s a great idea to have students start gathering important paperwork ahead of time so they’re always prepared.
Essential Documents: From Direct Deposit to Tax Forms
Each step of the paperwork process could be a lesson of its own! For instance, setting up direct deposit is a key part of the new hire process. This requires some basic skills, like knowing how to set up a bank account, understanding how to void a check (and actually having one to void!), or how to get a direct deposit confirmation letter from the bank.
Students also need to understand the difference between an account and a routing number and learn how to monitor direct deposits to make sure everything is accurate. And that’s just one part of the paperwork process!
Every time I teach this content, the conversation takes a new turn. Some students are curious about the parts of a check, while others want to dive into reading a pay stub. This often leads to discussions about regular vs. overtime pay, sick leave accrual, and those mysterious payroll deductions.
As we work through the various elements of hiring paperwork, I always provide real-world examples for students to explore. They’re especially interested in seeing a real W-4 and a (sample) W-2.
While I’m very careful not to give tax or financial advice, I do provide students with hard copies of the tax forms, straight from the IRS website, including the instruction pages. They get time to explore the forms with a partner, ask general questions, and challenge each other to dig deeper based on their own personal circumstances. It’s a great way to get them hands-on and thinking about the future! If you want to continue building student familiarity with tax paperwork, grab a copy of the Taxes Terminology Puzzle Set and keep it on hand for a rainy day!
Understanding Health Insurance and Retirement Plans
Introducing Health Insurance
In the U.S., another key part of the onboarding process is making decisions about health insurance. It’s a complex topic that can still keep me up at night, so I don’t dive too deep into all the details. Instead, I focus on getting students familiar with the basics. I start by introducing key terms like premium, deductible, co-pay, and out-of-pocket maximum. Then, I give them a few sample plans to compare.
If students leave the exercise with the understanding that different plans are suited to different people (for example, low premium plans might work better for those with fewer healthcare needs), I consider that a win! I’ve found that adulting topics like this are best taught in small doses with plenty of chances for repetition.
Retirement Planning for Beginners: Why It Matters Early On
Similarly, when talking about entering the workforce, I make sure to briefly overview retirement accounts. While I go into more depth on retirement when teaching financial literacy, I think it’s essential to at least touch on the topic when discussing starting a new job. When students begin working, they’ll likely have to decide whether to opt into an employer-sponsored retirement program—and, in some cases, choose their investment options for that account.
It’s also important to remember that time is the most powerful factor in saving for retirement. Helping students start early can give them a huge advantage in building their future!
When introducing retirement accounts, I explain the main options students might encounter: working indefinitely, Social Security, defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans, and deferred compensation plans. I don’t expect them to become experts after one lesson. My goal is to introduce these concepts so that when they encounter these choices in the workplace, they’ll feel comfortable with them.
I also talk about employer matching, so students don’t miss out on free money, and I even give them the chance to play around with a retirement calculator to help get them excited to learn more! (If you want to gamify the topic of saving for retirement, check out the Retirement Savings Puzzle Set!)
Dressing for Success and Personal Presentation
Health care and retirement are the most daunting topics, it’s all downhill from here!
Sensitivity in Teaching Dress and Grooming Standards
Next, I like to talk with students about “dressing for success.” But rather than the usual “dress for the job you want” advice, I approach it from a different angle. When discussing dress codes, it’s crucial to be sensitive. Fashion and clothing can already be tricky for teens, with issues like limited financial resources, inconsistent access to laundry facilities, and the pressure to fit in with peers all complicating the situation.
Cultural backgrounds also influence clothing norms, so it’s important to keep the conversation inclusive. I’ve found it’s best to present common workplace dress standards without making subjective comments about specific types or styles of clothing.
Similarly, I approach grooming standards with care. While it’s important to highlight the value of good hygiene and a professional appearance, I’m always mindful that some students may face challenges in accessing hygiene products or may deal with personal circumstances that impact their grooming.
Others might have different norms due to cultural differences or personal circumstances. My goal is to encourage grooming for professional settings, focusing on the benefits without making any student feel uncomfortable or judged.
Understanding Workplace Dress Codes and Uniform Policies
When starting a new job, it’s important for students to ask whether the company requires a uniform or has a general dress code. If uniforms are required, they should get the details on the specific policy—what they’re expected to wear, grooming standards, and whether the uniform is provided or needs to be purchased.
They should also clarify the process for getting replacements and maintaining the uniform, and ask about any seasonal variations or exceptions to the dress code. Finally, students need to be aware of the consequences of not following the dress code to avoid any issues on the job.
Workplace Safety: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
When talking about personal protective equipment (PPE), I emphasize the importance of understanding job hazards and company guidelines to choose the right protective gear. For example, did you know that around 12% of all workers experience hearing difficulty? About 20% of those exposed to noise suffer significant hearing impairment, and roughly 8% of workers deal with tinnitus (CDC, 2015).
Most students will receive training from their employer on PPE, but it's important to stress the need for a proper fit, regular inspections for damage, and following all instructions for use and maintenance. Remind them that consistent use of PPE, such as eye and hearing protection, is essential—even for tasks that seem minor. Encourage students to ask questions of their supervisor if they’re unsure about anything related to PPE use.
Mastering Workplace Etiquette and Social Skills
Finally, it’s time to dive into soft skills and the social dynamics that are crucial in the workforce. Soft skills are becoming increasingly important and are often prioritized by employers over technical skills. If you want to reinforce the skills that are prioritized in the workplace, grab a copy of the Soft Skills Puzzle Set.
Soft skills are often prioritized over technical skills by employers!
Making a Positive First Impression
Orientation is a prime opportunity for students to make a positive first impression. Emphasize the importance of being punctual, bringing required documents, engaging with the presenter, and taking notes. It’s also a great time to pay attention to company culture and norms, network, and, of course, avoid gossip from day one!
I also like to use this moment to discuss the social nuances of orientation. For instance, students should prioritize their most important questions and consider following up individually for more personal inquiries. Explain that asking too many questions at once can overwhelm the trainer or annoy their new colleagues. Be sure to clarify the difference between questions that are relevant to the whole group and those that are specific to their individual situation.
Navigating Social Media in the Workplace: Best Practices for Students
We also talk about social media at work. Teens and young adults should approach social media with caution when they start their first job.
Following company policies, respecting privacy, and maintaining professionalism online are key to ensuring that their social media activity doesn’t negatively impact their job or future career prospects.
Careers in fields like education, healthcare, legal professions, government, law enforcement, and financial services are particularly sensitive when it comes to social media use due to privacy and confidentiality concerns. Adhering to industry-specific regulations and best practices is key to maintaining professional integrity and avoiding any potential consequences.
Practical tips and professionalism for social media in the workplace.
Common Workplace Scenarios: Teaching Unspoken Rules and Etiquette
To help students understand the unspoken rules of the workplace, I present them with scenarios involving common office faux pas. The aim is to highlight workplace etiquette that’s often learned the hard way. While some of these might seem obvious, we’ve all encountered co-workers who unknowingly violate these norms, which is why they’re worth discussing.
Each scenario—ranging from reheating fish in the communal microwave to swooping in on a co-worker’s commission—challenges students to identify the problem(s) and suggest solutions. I’m always impressed by the creative solutions students come up with, and I look forward to seeing where the conversation leads!
Supporting Students for a Successful Transition into the Workforce
Workforce readiness is about more than just helping students land a position—it's about equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to navigate the complexities of the workplace successfully. From understanding employment agreements and handling new hire paperwork to mastering workplace etiquette and making a strong first impression during orientation, every step in the process is a valuable learning opportunity.
By addressing these topics in your classroom, you can help students feel more prepared and less anxious as they embark on their first professional experiences. With the right guidance, your students will be better positioned to start their careers on the right foot, and they'll have the tools they need to thrive in the workforce. If you’re looking for resources to support this journey, this ready-to-use Employability Skills lesson is a great place to start.
Ready-to-use lesson and activities to prepare students for the workplace.
