Getting a Job in the United States

In the USA there are two types of jobs: full-time and part-time work. A full-time job is usually 35-40 hours a week. A part-time job is 15-28 hours a week. The difference between them is more than just a matter of how long one works and is in the pay and benefits.

Many persons with a full-time job will have a higher salary and be provided with benefits. Benefits such as medical insurance, paid vacations, and maybe even an opportunity to have a retirement savings plan. Part-time workers do not receive any benefits other than a few days off a year. Many youth in USA begin working from an early age. The law requires young people to be a certain age, before they may begin work. However, most people may work at the age of fourteen, with a worker's permit or permission from his parents or guardian. Students usually have part-time jobs in fast food restaurants such as McDonald's, Burger King, etc. Many young men and women work in pizza places and ice cream shops as waiters. Some students work at sports events as coaches, referees, or scorekeepers.

Fast food workers are usually required to work at least 15-17 hours a week. The same goes for any part-time work.

Занятость населения США

Some students work to pay for attending college or university, others like having extra pocket money, or are saving to buy something.

How much money can a young person make? However, the minimum wage in California and New York is around 6 or 7 dollars an hour because the costs of living in those states are much higher. But the average McDonald's worker in Georgia will make minimum wage, $5.65 per hour.

If a student in America wants to find a job, he or she will find it. The job may not be prestigious or even enjoyable, but there is work to be found.

Generally, the difference between our youth and American one in the area of employment lies in job availability and salary. Americans have the opportunity to work — there are more places for young people to work and payment is higher.

American youth needs to work. Saving money for college, university, or technical schools is necessary. Costs run from 5,000-20,000 dollars a year, and the average American family cannot provide this much money every year for four years. One can assume that most university students work one, two or even three jobs during their time at university.

Most employers expect their applicants to have previous experience. In order to obtain a job, one must fill out an application. An application requires necessary information for taxes. The employer usually requests recommendations. It is now also standard practice for many employers to ask employees to take drug tests before they can get a job.

After an application has been reviewed, the employer may call the prospective employee in for an interview. The employer will ask questions about what to do in an emergency, what to do with angry customers, and other relative scenarios.

Work experience is necessary for most college or university graduates. Thus, American youth must work during college or university in order to get a good job later on or to pay for attending a college or university.

 

Task 7. Find the answers to these questions in the text:

1. How much time does it take to work a full-time work weekly?

2. How much time does it take to work a part-time work weekly?

3. What benefits may full-time workers obtain?

4. What benefits may part-time workers obtain?

5. What age should people reach to obtain a job?

6. What should young people have when they try to employ at the age of fourteen or fifteen?

7. How much money can a young person make per hour in California and New York?

8. Why should students work?

9. What is the difference between our youth and American one?

10. How much does it cost to attend a university or college in the USA?

11. What do most employers expect from their applicants?

12. What do most employers usually request?

13. Why is work experience necessary for most college or university graduates in the USA?

 

Task 8. Look through the text again and tell your partner about:

- Two types of jobs;

- Jobs for young people;

- Difference between our youth and American youth.