The idea of being stuck earning the minimum wage is terrifying. The increasing buzz surrounding income inequality illustrates the drastically different lifestyles at either end of the income spectrum. The growing hardship reserved for low earning, hourly employees is astounding.
With more Americans struggling to make ends meet, political support for raising the federal minimum wage continues to increase. However, gridlock surrounding the issue plagues the debate within national government. For this reason, some states are proactively raising their minimum wage.
With that said, the hourly wage represents only half the problem facing employees holding these positions. Many of these jobs fail to offer advancement opportunities, effectively cornering employees into dead end positions. An increased minimum wage does not address the lack of opportunity these employees have to advance their careers.
Positioning yourself above minimum wage jobs is crucial to developing your career, as well as securing higher compensation. Keeping the following points in mind can go a long way in ensuring a successful transition.
Know What You Offer
An important aspect of choosing your next position is identifying the skills you possess. A simple way to begin this process is by making a list of skills acquired through work and school. Highlighting the abilities you can transfer to your next job helps narrow the scope of your job search.
Explore Education Opportunities
Education and training are surefire ways to position yourself above the minimum wage. Jobs offering higher compensation and benefits to the employee often require degrees and certifications. Whether you wish to pursue a college degree or a technical certificate, the skills you attain can make you very appealing to the right employers.
Find Good Employers
Seeking positions with the right organizations can make all the difference down the road. Look for companies that offer their employees health benefits and time off for vacation and sick leave. On top of these perks, good employers present ways to develop your career and advance within the company. Knowing what to look for in an employer can mean the difference between a permanent position and another dead end job.
Consider a New Location
Broaden your scope when considering where to take your next job. Knowing the value of a good employer, be prepared to commute further or relocate for a better opportunity. Considering options within your immediate area might limit the number of viable options for your next job.
Always Maintain a Network
Often, people around us present opportunities that go a long way in advancing our careers. But leads on job openings aren’t the only benefit of maintaining a professional network. Knowing the right people in a new industry or company can also generate valuable references when being considered for a position. The scale tipping effect the right connection can have makes networking an essential resource for anyone serious about their career.
Utilize Career Counseling
Career counseling offers a range of benefits to people exploring career options. Touching on the previous points and more, counselors help determine the best course of action for your career goals. Teenagers facing a very competitive job market can really benefit from this guidance. For this reason, many schools offer career counseling for students.
People working minimum wage jobs should explore these resources to uncover additional career options. However, some minimum wage employees might have limitations on their ability to develop careers outside of their current jobs. Developing minimum wage positions into careers can be difficult, but it is possible .
Acknowledging a direction for future employment goes a long way in establishing and developing a meaningful, lasting career.
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Hello,
Saw your advertisement in the “fishwrapper” for Shady Maple and it caught my eye. I am currently looking for part-time or seasonal work. Have lots of experience in the food business as well as medical field.
Retired since December 31, 2013 and looking for a position working for a good company like ShadyMaple. Willing to train as I enjoy learning and am pretty good with quick comprehension.
I will be available all next week for interview and can be reached at my home phone 610-743-4297 or my cell 610-310-8629. My email address is sam.lewes2014@gmail.com
Thank you,
Michelle Schaeffer