How to Get a Job as Interpreted by an 11 Year Old

Inspired by Bill Keane and the help his children gave him in conceptualizing and illustrating his popular comic Family Circus I thought I would flip the script and ask my 11 year old to help me write a blog. For the past 2 years he’s heard me talking about different ways to get a job and what employers want in their employees so I kind of wanted to see what he’s been absorbing.

Even though he’s only a rising 6^th grader and has Asperger’s Syndrome,  I still think it is important to start enforcing the importance of job search basics to him and his younger brother.  So instead of having to mow the lawn he gladly accepted the assignment of writing an article about how to get a job.

He didn’t even balk too badly when I told him he had to use paragraphs, capital letters and complete sentences since sitting inside typing is way more appealing to him than cutting 5 acres of grass in the hot summer sun.

Here’s what he came up with:

Getting a Job

by Bing age 11

Well if you want my opinion about getting a job, I do not think it is very easy. First of all, you have to write a resume, and the resume needs true information about you, and if your boss doesn't like your information, it's over.

Me, I am going to learn how to use C++ and create my own company, and sometimes I may get a little specific about the information when I hire people. First of all, they need to learn how to use C++ for making a game (that is what I do on C++). Second of all, I do not want to be the youngest, so they need to be no more three years above my age, or no less than three years under my age. Last and probably the least, no suits. It is because I am not really a guy who likes to dress up, and since I won’t, I don’t want them to think it is unfair that they have to dress up while I don't.

If I were to get a job, I would be specific. First of all, I need to get paid right, because imagine if you were doing something really hard and it is just $10.00. Then I need to see what I will be doing, because I am very picky about what I do. For example, I am good at computers, so I need that job instead of being the janitor.

So basically, make sure your resume rocks, get the training you need and find a job that fits your interest. Good job Bing, I’m so proud, though we’re going to have to discuss the concept of age discrimination before you start your own business.

Did your parents talk to you about how to get a job before you tried to enter the workforce? What advice did they give you?