KEY POINTS:
Mark Rutherglen
Development Agent For Subway New Zealand
What was your first job?
Working as sales/clerk at a sporting goods shop in Canada. I was 15 years old and was paid $1.25 an hour.
Did you enjoy it?
I enjoyed working with people and earning spending money, but working on the weekends did cut into my playtime.
What did you learn?
I learnt how important it was to always make the customer feel welcome; helping them make the best decision for their purchase. Always go out of your way to build the trust - that way they will want to come back.
I also learnt how to balance the day's cash and how important it was to be accurate. The cash register didn't tell us the correct change; we had to calculate it ourselves by counting the change back to the customer, which rarely happens any more.
What were your bosses like?
They were great and supportive. They did this by being patient as we learnt the skills and leading by example.
Why did you leave?
I stayed for two years as it was a casual position while I attended high school. Then I got a summer job on a farm.
Any advice for someone starting out?
Work hard and be honest and dedicated as every job experience leads to another opportunity. There is always something you can take away from the position, no matter how simple, that you will use later in your life.
Is it harder for people entering the job market now?
I feel it is still similar, if anything easier, as the unemployment levels are low comparatively so there are lots of options.
