Kelvyn Park High School - Kelvynian Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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HELPFUL HINTS We students, with the future before us, all want to make our lives some- thing to be proud of-we desire to tread the path of life that has good fortune at every bend of the road. This word success . . . everyone has a different interpretation of the word, but to the average student, a respected well-paid position is his idea of succeeding in this world. For all professions and all types of manual labor, it is necessary to have certain technical qualifications, but have you ever considered that technical skill alone will not realize your dreams and hopes? There is another factor necessary for success . . . your PERSONAL APPEARANCE. Some of you will probably comment that no one has ever complained of your appearance, but you should recall the old adage- Flattery is monstrous in your friends . lf you find that your personal appearance is not up to par, do something about it: don't stand idly by and watch the other fellow steal your job from you. Frankly, are you guilty of some of the following items? If you are, correct them, for it is then, and then only, that you have a chance of finding the path of life on which you Wish to journey. One of the physical requisites necessary for impressing an employer is your POSTURE. Although few of us realize it, our posture reveals character and degree of confidence. The fellow who is bent over, his head drooped, his eyes cast down-the one who always seems to blend in with the shadows, impresses you as a person not confident of himself-a man with an inferior complex and dejected disposition. li, on the other hand, you see a young man or woman walking with a firm tread, shoulders erect, head S? thrust back, eyes looking straight ahead, and arms swinging, . kj. how much more we notice that person! Confidence, alertness, and ability seem a part of such an individual. Even those with the ideal posture, however, have failed l in securing a position, because of crazy-quilt shirts, gaudy dresses, and untidy hair. Yes, next to posture, you must be certain of the NEATNESS OF YOUR APPEARANCE. To you, Sally Smith, we say-be sure that your hair is arranged t neatly and suitably, that your hands are cleaner than clean: that your nails are well manicured. Oh, if you could only W realize how an employer winces at the sight of an approach- fl 1 .f ing mademoiselle who resembles a painted clown. No, if you want that job, Sally, resort to light polish and conserva- tive makeup. And now, we breeze forth with advice to all the lohn i Smiths. Be sure that you're well-groomed. Are you a jitter- bug? Don't dress like one. When you apply for a job, wear a dark business suit, and if you're one of those men who feels uncomfortable in a vest, make certain that your coat is buttoned. See that your tie harmonizes with your suitp that your shirt is spotless. And now Iohnny and Sally, to you both we say this, be sure that your clothes are in good taste. Remember that fitting accessories are very important for they make an outfit look complete. Continued on page 50 4

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T3l if . U 9,1 v 14 W I l MII R1 s ,.. IOB HUNTERS Sally was a typist, Very swift at banging. But Sally didn't get the job, Because her slip was hanging. Bob was an accountant, At figures quite a shark. But Bob, instead of standing up, Looked like a ? mark. Georgie was an actor, No lines he couldn't speak . . . Georgie didn't get the part- His handshake was too Weak. Anne has sales ability -K That's always sure to Win. , She was only bones and skin. if-Q Q R v But Annie couldn't stand the strainf Am I Billy was an agent Who went from door to door- They couldn't catch what Billie said, So Billy sells no more. J Florence, a stenographer, Was chewing at dictation. Gave herax long vacation. Her boss, annoyed at smacking sounds, A . Iacqueline, a model, A lovely girl with glamor, Was so afraid to meet the boss That she could only stammer. i t A it The very hardest wayf So try to learn from their mistakes lt's almost sure to pay. These people learned their lesson I Shirley Parker

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f5l OFF TO WORK Will you be looking for a job soon? Then perhaps you may be interested in knowing something about jobs open to you in your favored field, and just what qualifications you must possess in order to be hired and not fired. Your opportunities for getting a good position are much better if you've completed a high school education. A good scholastic standing means a great deal to the iob hunter. Regardless of which type of position you intend to seek, an application letter will be necessary. Type it if possible-and make NO errors. See that it is brief and clear. Present facts, not opinions. Often an application in outline form is preferred, because it is most easily read. ln addition to the letter of application, many firms require 'Q a personal interview with the applicant. BE ON TIME for it! y - Be at your best. Remember that often you are accepted or f rejected in that first minute of the interview. Whether in the application blank or in the interview, tell the truth about references and high school records. Many firms check them. Besides these general hints, specific ones were obtained by our staff members who contacted a number of business houses. Those of our graduates who aim for typing jobs must be able to type a minimum of fifty Words a minute, with less than five errors. Prospective stenographers should be pre- pared to take dictation at about one hundred twenty-five words per minute. Many typists are turning to another field which has grown more and more important in this mechanical age-that of office machine operation. Because mechanical devices save time and money in an office, an efficientroperator of one of them may expect to be well paid. A number of firms hire high school graduates with good records in commercial courses, and train them to work these machines. Other com- panies require that their operators have had a training period in a school which gives instruction in the running of business machines. Some of the mechanical aids gaining increasing favor are comptometers, dictating, book- keeping, and various mathematical machines. , . ., A 5 . .. lr ll? Q7 t i llflt itttiii The personnel manager of a large department store informed us that to be hired as a clerk, one must have a fundamental knowledge of arithmetic, and the ability to speak distinctly. One must learn to be tactful, alert, and helpful with customers. Since many stores desire that applicants have had experience, students who work during vacations at neighborhood stores have an advantage. Iobs open to high school graduates in mail order houses are those of messenger, clerical worker, comptometer operator, typist and junior correspond- ent. Retaining one of these positions, or advancing to a higher and better paid one, depends upon the ability of the employee. Continued on page 51