TS Tips

Tips to Live By..... 

TS or Transition Specialists work hard to provide excellent customer service.  Here the TS' will give you their input on what you need to know to be productive and pro-active that will ultimately effect your future. 

"Live life, work hard and stay motivated"

1. Be responsible, on time, committed and consistent.
2. Follow through with your service plans/goals developed by you and your TS.
3. Be prepared for appointments with necessary paperwork, applications and/or information.
4. Maintain a personal portfolio for your vital records.  *If you can, make a copy to keep at a trusted relative or friends house for safe keeping.
5. Be a leader and not a follower.  Create your own positive path to success.
6. Develop good time management skills.
7. Know your rights as a foster youth.
8. Do respect yourself and others.
9. "Progress is personal, do not hold yours up"! 
10. Keep moving, you should always be working on or toward something.
11. See things through, giving up is the only way to be sure you will not succeed.
12. Keep a journal or diary.  It not only gives you a record of what you done but a record of your progress.  It is also helpful when asked to recall information, events, or actions when questioned by others.
13. Carry your I.D. at all times
14. Carry something to write with and write on to all appointments, meetings, trainings etc.  Some scientist believe we only retain 10% of what we hear, but notes allow us access to all the information anytime you need it.  You will get many oppurtunities through word of mouth, but it you can't remember it and don't have it written you could miss out.
15. Never walk away without understanding ask questions as often as you have them.
16. "The future doesn't just come, we design it everyday." - Cherrita Perry

by Jason Rasizzi, BSW, CDF, CWDP: JSS

1. Ask for more work!  This may sound crazy to some, but every employer loves an employee who refuses to accept the idea of ‘downtime’ and is always looking to keep busy.  Volunteering for additional responsibilities gives you the opportunity to learn new skills that other employees may not have the opportunity to obtain.  It also increases your value to the company and increases the likelihood of earning raises or promotions.  At the very least, your employer should be more likely to give you a positive reference once you move on to your next job.

2. Be on time!  The quickest way to turn off an employer is to show up late for work or late from a break.  Not to mention, showing up late too often is a sure way to end of fired from a job.  On the contrary, being punctual (combined with a solid work ethic) is a sure-fire way to impress any employer.

3. Be a ‘Team Player’! Being a good team player means having a positive attitude, being dependable and trustworthy enough for people to count on you and being flexible enough to ‘roll with the punches’.  In the event of a budget cutback, rest assured that a hard working, qualified team player is likely going to be one of the last to be laid off.

4. Communicate! It is essential to almost every job that you be able to ask questions or discuss your feelings in a professional manner.  There is a time and a place for everything.  Many people have been fired from jobs because they lose their temper or try to have a discussion with their supervisor at an inappropriate time.  If you do have something (good or bad) to discuss with your boss, ask to set up a time where you can meet with him or her to discuss your concerns or ask your questions. 

5. Have a backup plan!  You’ve probably heard the expression “anything that can go wrong will”. That is why it is crucial that you have backup plans for important issues such as childcare, transportation and even waking up on time for work.  What happens if your child gets sick and can’t go to daycare?  What happens if they babysitter calls in?  What happens if the bus is running late?  The bottom line is that many employers could care less about any of that.  After all, they are paying you to be there and ready to work at a certain time and not a minute later.  Not to mention, they have hundreds of other applicants they can turn to if you don’t live up to your responsibilities.  This is especially true if you are in your first 90 days of employment. 

6. Arrive early!  Employers will be impressed if you arrive 10 minutes early for your shift each day.  This allows you enough time to prepare and to be at your work station at the exact minute you are scheduled to start work.  Don’t be the person who runs in huffing and puffing 10 seconds before they are due to clock in! 

7. If you can’t take the job, give notice and leave! Some jobs just aren’t going to be a good fit for any number of reasons.  If you absolutely can’t stand your job anymore, give a 2 weeks notice in writing and move on.  Giving notice allows you to leave in a professional manner and allows your employer time to find someone to replace you.  Work hard up until your last second of employment and remember that leaving on good terms increases the chance that they will be willing to be a positive reference for you towards your next job.

8. Mind your Manners!  Covering your mouth when you cough, not chewing with your mouth open and maintaining your personal hygiene will only add to your professionalism and the employer’s opinion about you. 

9. Stay away from ‘Drama’!  You can’t control the actions of your fellow employee’s.  Don’t get caught up in any drama, schemes or cliques that may result in your employer viewing you in a negative manner.  It’s usually pretty easy to tell who’s actually there to be an asset to the company and who is there for simply for a paycheck.  Picking the wrong crowd can definitely determine how long you’ll be on the job and if you’ll be able to use the employer for a reference when you leave!

10. Think like a Manager!  Figure out what is truly important to the success of the business and how you can help with that success.  (i.e. If making a profit is important, how can you help increase it?  If ensuring total customer satisfaction is crucial, how can you increase the satisfaction?)  By paying attention to the goals and needs of your company, you’ll increase your chances of promotions and overall success on the job.