Before you leave your job

It's the end of the season and you are gearing up to leave. Before you leave, ask for an appraisal. If the employer doesn't do a formal, sitdown appraisal, ask how you did. Find out if there were areas the employer thought you could improve upon. This can be insightful.

If you get positive feedback and/or are asked to come back next year, ask if the employer will write a letter of recommendation for your files. You might even be asked to write it yourself! Letters of recommendation can be photocopied and sent with resumes - an instant positive reference.

If, by chance, your appraisal or feedback is not positive, this may not be an employer you want to include in your list of references. In any case, do your best to find out why. For example:

• If it is a personality difference, look honestly at yourself. Did your behavior contribute to the problem? Workampers who have been used to running a business or a department sometimes have difficulty doing what they are told instead of offering suggestions the boss does not want to hear.
• Are you lacking skills in a certain area? If so, see about acquiring those skills or pick a different type of work. For example, if you had to use a computer and found it difficult, take classes this winter or work in an area where computers aren't needed.
• Was the work too much for you physically? If you couldn't stand as much as required or lift the weight needed, make sure this is not an element of your next job or that the employer is willing to accommodate you.
• If you are told you didn't get along with people, look honestly at yourself. Would you be happier working on your own? Or in a situation that was less customer-intense? Look for jobs next year that meet that need.

By now, most RVers have serious hitch-itch and can't wait to get back on the road. Take the time to get feedback from your current employer before leaving and learn from it. Find out what you need to change or improve upon. You may want to make these changes. Or, you may want to focus on different jobs/employers for next year. Either is ok. We're learning as we go. It is always valuable to find out what you don't like so you can focus on what you do like. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

For information on Jaimie's 2nd edition of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, see RVBookstore.com.