I realized that I wanted to make money when I’d ask my parents for a new pair of Alexander McQueens or Jordan’s, and their answer was, no. As my passion for shoes and sneakers increased, in June of 2022 I started my job search. Although I can be a bit of an introvert, I am also an extrovert in spaces where I feel comfortable. I wanted to work in an environment where I felt comfortable, I could add value, and looked forward to being in.

The first place I considered working was Dick’s Sporting Goods. I submitted a request for an interview; however, it took a while for them to respond. While waiting for a response I decided to pursue a job at Jersey Mike’s. After applying to Jersey Mike’s, I was granted an interview. The restaurant was close to my home which meant less travel time and savings on gas. I felt as though it would be a great first job. As I entered the store for my interview, I notice how clean and organized everything was. I sat down in the lobby, and the manager Bri sat with me to begin the interview. This was my first interview, so admittedly I was feeling very anxious. Due to the laid-back nature of the interview, I began to feel a sense of comfort and I no longer felt anxious.

The interview began with questions about how I spent my free time, what extracurricular activities I participate in, and why I considered working at Jersey Mikes. While answering her series of questions I was quite comfortable with the first two questions; however, I didn’t feel prepared to answer the third question. I could then feel myself becoming anxious again, being unsure of what she might ask next. Afterwards, she smiled and said I would be a great fit. She proceeded to ask for my availability and told me she would give me a call when she puts me on the schedule. I left the interview excited to share the details with my mother. I told her that I should have done more to prepare myself for the types of questions I would be asked, because I could have saved myself the unnecessary stress. I was proud of myself for being willing to step out of my comfort zone, getting through my first job interview and ultimately securing my first job.

While working at Jersey Mikes, I experienced a period of personal growth that led me to deciding that I could operate my own business. Three months into my employment with Jersey Mikes, I came to the realization that working there would be temporary and I always liked the idea of working for myself. It took some thought but eventually I determined the type of business I wanted to start was pressure washing driveways and homes. It was very time-consuming researching which pressure washer to purchase, and how I should price potential customers, as well as what liabilities I needed to consider. Pricing was the hardest task, it required me to research competitor companies and how they were pricing in my area. That way, I could ensure my pricing was fair, yet competitive.

Work Terms

Hours are very flexible.