Updated:  Friday, July 16, 2010 05:07 PM

Business Frequently Asked Questions

• I'm not hiring right now.  Why should I have my name in the directory?

• If this is not a "Help Wanted" listing, how will it help me hire when I have an opening?

• I've hired co-op students in the past who were not good employees.  What happens if I get another one like that?

• I would like to hire a co-op student, but I'm afraid I might not be able to afford it for the whole year if my business does not prosper.

• What do I have to do if I volunteer to be a career speaker?

• I primarily work alone and don't hire additional people.  How can I participate if I can't offer employment?

• I train my own employees on the job.  Is this considered to be an apprenticeship?

• What jobs can be apprenticed?

• I don't think the directory will help my business.  We need skilled workers.

• I've tried to use high school kids in the past and it just didn't work out.

• The majority of the kids go to college anyway.  What good would it do to list my name now?

Q.  I'm not hiring right now.  Why should I have my name in the directory?

A.  You are under no obligation to hire just because your name is in our directory.  This is not a "Help Wanted" listing.  When your hiring situation changes, however, your name will already be in front of a potential workforce.    FAQ Menu

Q.  If this is not a "Help Wanted" listing, how will it help me hire when I have an opening?

A.  Students will use this directory as a resource for information on businesses that are willing to hire students or that are willing to offer students career experiences.  The students will be instructed on how to contact businesses to inquire about potential opportunities.  If a job opening is not currently available, businesses will have the opportunity to maintain contacts for future employment by offering internships, workplace tours, etc.  These short-term contacts will also give a business an opportunity to pre-screen potential employees.      FAQ Menu

Q.  I've hired co-op students in the past who were not good employees.  What happens if I get another one like that?

A.  The idea behind co-op is for students to have a real-world experience with employment.  Being fired is part of the real world.  It is the student's obligation to work well and obey rules.   If they don't and their teacher cannot help resolve the situation, the student should be fired just the same as any other employee.     FAQ Menu

Q.  I would like to hire a co-op student, but I'm afraid I might not be able to afford it for the whole year if my business does not prosper.

A.  While it is better for a student to have employment with the same employer during the entire school year, it is understood that economic conditions can change.  Again, layoffs happen in the real world and if it happens to a co-op student it is just a part of the student’s learning experience.     FAQ Menu

Q.  What do I have to do if I volunteer to be a career speaker?

A.  From time to time, a teacher likes to bring into their classroom a connection between what the students are studying and how they will use it in life.  Career speakers usually just have a friendly and informal talk in the classroom with students about how the speaker uses in business what the students are learning in school.  Be ready to answer lots of questions!     FAQ Menu

Q.  I primarily work alone and don't hire additional people.  How can I participate if I can't offer employment?

A.  There are numbers of students who would benefit from mentoring or shadowing experiences.  You can always share information about your preparation for your job and the education and training required.  This is a valuable exploration tool for students.      FAQ Menu

Q.  I train my own employees on the job.  Is this considered to be an apprenticeship?

A.  While apprenticeship is built around this basic concept, today it is actually a structured and formal agreement between an employer and an employee.  The employer must be registered with the Virginia Apprenticeship Program.  The training program must be approved by the state and includes both on-the-job training and related instruction at a technical school or approved class.  The length of the training period and the number of hours of classroom study for particular jobs are determined by the state of Virginia.       FAQ Menu

Q.  What jobs can be apprenticed?

A.  There are currently over 400 different apprenticed jobs registered in the state of Virginia and more are being created every day.  Representatives from the Virginia Apprenticeship Program can help you identify your needs and assist you in developing an apprenticeship program for almost any job if one does not already exist.     FAQ Menu

Q.  I don't think the directory will help my business.  We need skilled workers.

A. By offering short-term, non-paid work experiences such as internships, a business can explore the capabilities of a number of high school students.  When you come across that special student who shows ability and interest, you can help guide them in selecting the additional training they need to come back to you for employment with the precise training you require.  You can even use Tuition Reimbursements as an additional incentive.      FAQ Menu

Q.  I've tried to use high school kids in the past and it just didn't work out.

A.  High school kids need to know what they do wrong that makes them bad employees.  Someone like you who has had a bad experience can tell them a lot.  As a career speaker or mentor, you may be able to redirect some student onto the right path.  They need to hear the truth about the impact they have on employers.     FAQ Menu

Q.  The majority of the kids go to college anyway.  What good would it do to list my name now?

A.There are a lot of good reasons. 

First:  With unemployment in Hanover at 2.6% (Oct. '03) there is a huge demand for a small workforce.  Putting you name in the directory gives you an edge by creating an advance contact with the students entering the workforce.

Second:  Yes, about 78% of Hanover students enroll in college, but not all of those stay.  A lot of them change their plans in the first year of college and come back into the community looking for jobs.   Again, links you created with them while in high school will give you an edge.

Third:  If your business requires highly trained and educated employees, building a relationship with high school students through internships, part-time employment, etc., can channel them right back to you when they complete college or other post-secondary education.  It will also allow you the opportunity to help direct their selection of courses, etc., to your best benefit.     FAQ Menu

Student Frequently Asked Questions

• I get really nervous when I make these phone calls.  How can I overcome that?

• I've called one business time after time to ask about a job and all I get is voice mail.  I leave messages and my calls are not returned.  How can I get a job if I can't get an interview?

• I want to learn more about a career in the healthcare field, but I play several sports and my schedule won't allow me to get a regular job after school so I can gain experience.  What can I do?

• What is tuition reimbursement?

• I don't have any idea what I would like to do when I graduate from high school so I don't know what business to call for a job or anything.   What's in this book for me?

• I am definitely going to college to study engineering.  Why do I need to explore career opportunities when I know exactly what I want to do?

• Does the school provide me with a co-op job?

Q.  I get really nervous when I make these phone calls.  How can I overcome that?

 A.  Practice before you call.  If that does not help, try making your first contact by mail or by email.  And remember, these businesses have volunteered to participate and they want to talk to you.  You will be doing them a favor by calling, so don't feel self-conscious.  FAQ Menu