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mekhi
Student
Sands Point, NY
1
Question
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whats it like to work for a full time job
i wonder what its like to work a full time job because i never have worked a job full time #job #time-management
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11 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1616
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Mekhi it’s tempting to focus only on your current income when deciding if you want to work full time or part time. Full-time employees typically have a steady income and work about 40 hours per week. As a full-time employee, you will have a fixed schedule with specific working hours. This means that you will be able to plan the rest of your day accordingly without being unsure of your work schedule. No one will call you to change your working hours at the last minute or swap shifts. Some people would call this monotonous, but if you want some stability in your professional life, full-time employment can offer you this. Another benefit is your employer will provide you with a fixed salary on a weekly or monthly basis. All you have to do is complete your job duties and meet your daily or weekly quotas, be a good employee and at the end of the month, you will get paid a specific amount of money. This way you can plan and pay all your expenses, put money aside for other long-term investments and feel safe that, no matter what, you will have money in your pocket for at least one more month.
Most people would say that one of the best advantages as a full-time employee is the company-paid insurance benefits. These insurance policies include things such as health, life, disability or even accidental death with many companies offering family coverage as well. Even though this usually comes after the probation period (3-6 months), it’s nevertheless a massive cost that you don’t have to pay for. Also, If you are a full-time employee, you will receive more annual leave and sick days than part-timers, as paid time off is usually calculated based on the number of total hours employed. By having more days off you can plan for holidays, short-breaks and can take time out when you're sick without feeling too guilty. Employers often provide health benefits, paid sick leave and retirement plans for their full-time workers only. Additional government benefits are available for full-time employees as well. For example, Social Security benefits are calculated from average earnings over a worker’s lifetime, according to the Social Security Administration. The more you work, the more Social Security benefits you’re likely to receive after you retire.
Deciding between part-time and full-time work isn’t always an easy choice. But, as you consider everything mentioned above and are fully committed to whatever role you fill, you should feel satisfaction and joy in your work, and that’s something everyone wants. All of these questions are important, but it really comes down to what you are trying to achieve in work and in life, both now and in the future? Part-time work and full-time work have different pros and cons, and you may prefer one option now while switching to the other as your life circumstances change. That’s completely fine, as long as you have a clear idea of where you are, where you’re headed, and work toward your personal and career goals accordingly.
Hope this is helpful Mekhi
Most people would say that one of the best advantages as a full-time employee is the company-paid insurance benefits. These insurance policies include things such as health, life, disability or even accidental death with many companies offering family coverage as well. Even though this usually comes after the probation period (3-6 months), it’s nevertheless a massive cost that you don’t have to pay for. Also, If you are a full-time employee, you will receive more annual leave and sick days than part-timers, as paid time off is usually calculated based on the number of total hours employed. By having more days off you can plan for holidays, short-breaks and can take time out when you're sick without feeling too guilty. Employers often provide health benefits, paid sick leave and retirement plans for their full-time workers only. Additional government benefits are available for full-time employees as well. For example, Social Security benefits are calculated from average earnings over a worker’s lifetime, according to the Social Security Administration. The more you work, the more Social Security benefits you’re likely to receive after you retire.
Deciding between part-time and full-time work isn’t always an easy choice. But, as you consider everything mentioned above and are fully committed to whatever role you fill, you should feel satisfaction and joy in your work, and that’s something everyone wants. All of these questions are important, but it really comes down to what you are trying to achieve in work and in life, both now and in the future? Part-time work and full-time work have different pros and cons, and you may prefer one option now while switching to the other as your life circumstances change. That’s completely fine, as long as you have a clear idea of where you are, where you’re headed, and work toward your personal and career goals accordingly.
Hope this is helpful Mekhi
Samantha Truxal
Chef
105
Answers
West Valley City, Utah
Updated
Samantha’s Answer
Depending on where u work you may work 8 to 9 hours maybe more for overtime. You typically get a 30 min. To 1 HR. Lunch. Depending on your job will dictate what you will do during the day. Just be respectful and work hard and you will do great things.
Jeffrey Grau
Corporate strategy
22
Answers
Morristown, New Jersey
Updated
Jeffrey’s Answer
Hello Mekhi,
It depends whether you like what you are doing. If you enjoy what you are doing, it might not even feel like work. It can provide a deep sense of satisfaction that carriers over to other aspects of your like, like friends and family. I am luck to like what I am doing, and I find myself thinking about some of my work projects while I am driving somewhere, or walking my dog, or just lying in bed before sleep. I am intellectually stimulated.
On the other hand, I have had jobs that were not fulfilling. They did the opposite of the above. They drained my energy. I watched the clock and couldn't wait to leave and get my freedom back.
There are other elements to what makes a good job. Do I like the people I work with? Do I like my place of work? Would I be happier being my own boss. Do I make enough money? Which is better suited for me: physical work or mental work? Would I be happier in a job where I move around a lot or sit/stand at a desk all day?
Sometimes you take a job even if it is not right because it is a starting point for getting the job you really want. Maybe it gives you experience in a particular profession or with a particular organization and will make it easier to eventually land the job you really want.
You might even try a job just to see if that kind of work really appeals to you, sort of like an experiment. You might be in a job you are not particularly fond, but if you are keeping your eyes and ears open you might discover related jobs that look really interesting.
I hope this helps and good luck.
It depends whether you like what you are doing. If you enjoy what you are doing, it might not even feel like work. It can provide a deep sense of satisfaction that carriers over to other aspects of your like, like friends and family. I am luck to like what I am doing, and I find myself thinking about some of my work projects while I am driving somewhere, or walking my dog, or just lying in bed before sleep. I am intellectually stimulated.
On the other hand, I have had jobs that were not fulfilling. They did the opposite of the above. They drained my energy. I watched the clock and couldn't wait to leave and get my freedom back.
There are other elements to what makes a good job. Do I like the people I work with? Do I like my place of work? Would I be happier being my own boss. Do I make enough money? Which is better suited for me: physical work or mental work? Would I be happier in a job where I move around a lot or sit/stand at a desk all day?
Sometimes you take a job even if it is not right because it is a starting point for getting the job you really want. Maybe it gives you experience in a particular profession or with a particular organization and will make it easier to eventually land the job you really want.
You might even try a job just to see if that kind of work really appeals to you, sort of like an experiment. You might be in a job you are not particularly fond, but if you are keeping your eyes and ears open you might discover related jobs that look really interesting.
I hope this helps and good luck.
Lauren Fahey
Finance and Business Operations
4
Answers
Lyndhurst, New Jersey
Updated
Lauren’s Answer
Transitioning from being a high school student to working a full time job may take some time to transition, but it also depends on the type of full time job you are working. For example, if you are an artist and you begin working full time as an artist and are doing what you love and are passionate about, it likely will not feel like work at all. However, if you enter into a job for a sense of financial security and are not doing what you love or are passionate about at times it can be stressful. I recommend searching career paths you may be interested in and researching what the work schedule is like (Monday - Friday 8 hour days, Weekends included or not, overtime potential, etc) to make sure the job and work schedule aligns with you personal life/schedule. If you are not sure which type of career is right for you, you can also do personality tests online which can give you suggestions based on your answers which type of career would be best for you.
Good luck with your career journey & enjoy/trust the process!!
Good luck with your career journey & enjoy/trust the process!!
Gloria Ortiz
Instructional Designer
850
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi mekhi,
What a great question. Working a full time job often depends on the job. If you like what you do, the time can go by very quickly. If you don't, it's harder. The hardest thing about working a full time job is actually having to do a lot of working during a finite period of time. In most full time jobs that I have had, you work in parts. It is usually two hours and then a 15-minute break. Then another about two hours and lunch (either an hour or 30-minutes depending on your job) then the next two hours and another 15-minute break. And then your time to go home. In the US, you get paid for breaks but not for lunch.
The hardest part of a full-time job is that you sometimes do not control your schedule. Sometimes you get a job at an inconvenient time like 12pm to 9pm, which I had once. If you work 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday, it can be hard to get to doctor's appointments or other events, like taking your kids to school. And sometimes a full-time job requires you to work longer than a traditional 40-hour work week. This is sometimes outside of your control. It means you may miss dinners with your family or other important events. Unless you own your business, your work day is at the discretion of someone else. That can be difficult at first. It also depends on what kind of job you have. I am now at a place where I am non-exempt and that allows me a lot of scheduling flexibility.
Gloria
What a great question. Working a full time job often depends on the job. If you like what you do, the time can go by very quickly. If you don't, it's harder. The hardest thing about working a full time job is actually having to do a lot of working during a finite period of time. In most full time jobs that I have had, you work in parts. It is usually two hours and then a 15-minute break. Then another about two hours and lunch (either an hour or 30-minutes depending on your job) then the next two hours and another 15-minute break. And then your time to go home. In the US, you get paid for breaks but not for lunch.
The hardest part of a full-time job is that you sometimes do not control your schedule. Sometimes you get a job at an inconvenient time like 12pm to 9pm, which I had once. If you work 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday, it can be hard to get to doctor's appointments or other events, like taking your kids to school. And sometimes a full-time job requires you to work longer than a traditional 40-hour work week. This is sometimes outside of your control. It means you may miss dinners with your family or other important events. Unless you own your business, your work day is at the discretion of someone else. That can be difficult at first. It also depends on what kind of job you have. I am now at a place where I am non-exempt and that allows me a lot of scheduling flexibility.
Gloria
Harshita Khandelwal
Technical Consultant
7
Answers
Pune, Maharashtra, India
Updated
Harshita’s Answer
Full time job is fun when you love it. It doesn't make you feel like a job if you love what you are doing.
Harshita
Harshita
Mickael Rosenberg
Software Engineer
261
Answers
Bellevue, Washington
Updated
Mickael’s Answer
Hi Mekhi,
Working full time means a second life. Most companies in the US recommend 8 hours a day. Then you have your lunch break with your colleagues. Typically 1 hour or less.
Then you basically do your job all that time, depending on that job. It's like being at school all day long, except you do not have periods, you do not have multiple topics. You just do your job. Some jobs have very different activities, some just have one activity type.
Working full time means a second life. Most companies in the US recommend 8 hours a day. Then you have your lunch break with your colleagues. Typically 1 hour or less.
Then you basically do your job all that time, depending on that job. It's like being at school all day long, except you do not have periods, you do not have multiple topics. You just do your job. Some jobs have very different activities, some just have one activity type.
Leona Sun
Program Manager
2
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Leona’s Answer
Love this question! Full-time job is like another part of your life (sometimes the most part of your life) and your coworkers will be your friends and "family". You would find you are spending most time with them than your family in some days.
You will gradually find out your other part of life may be gradually changing based on your full-time job, e.g. where you live, when you wake up, what you read or learn and how you talk, etc. Embrace those changes but also ask yourself whether you can be your true-self and keep your authenticity. Since it is the main part of your life now, you need to find something you like to do and also have the space where you can grow and develop.
Hope this will help.
Leona
You will gradually find out your other part of life may be gradually changing based on your full-time job, e.g. where you live, when you wake up, what you read or learn and how you talk, etc. Embrace those changes but also ask yourself whether you can be your true-self and keep your authenticity. Since it is the main part of your life now, you need to find something you like to do and also have the space where you can grow and develop.
Hope this will help.
Leona
Ericka Stafford
ECE Teacher/ RBT/BT
1
Answer
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Ericka’s Answer
Having a full time job is like doing what you like everyday and getting paid for doing something you enjoy. I always say do what you love and love what you do. So getting a full time job just means you interested in developing you time management skills, your looking for more responsibilities. You may also be looking to represent a company that that reflects your work ethics, personal and professional morals and values even your principles you live by. A full time just has paperwork, manual labor, working with others you may not know well, but that is a part of the process of a full time job; you receive trainings from leadership you may also become interested in leadership. If you just explore being in a full time job look at what your interests are and see if you would like to invest in a company
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Ericka recommends the following next steps:
Angela Cox
Consulting Program Partner Advisor
84
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Angela’s Answer
To be honest, working a full-time job is tiring and can be stressful but it's all worth it. Build relationships with your co-workers, especially your peers. This will help make your time spent at work more enjoyable!
Kellie Rellis
Banker
3
Answers
Paoli, Pennsylvania
Updated
Kellie’s Answer
Hi Mekhi! People don't really talk about how much of our lives are dedicated to working, so, knowing this plays a very important role in your job search. When applying/interviewing for full time jobs, I think it's important to make sure your ethics align with the ethos of the company, as well as recognizing if you would be a cultural fit. What you're doing, and who you're doing it with, should be of utmost importance when making a career decision because ultimately, your career is your life.