Finding a Job this Summer
Summer job season is here, and that means that college students and those fresh out of high school will be added into the mix along with everyone else that is also searching for a new career right now. Regardless of where you fall into these categories, this can be a more competitive time to try and find a job, but that doesn’t mean that you need to make this task any more difficult than it already is. Whether you’re just trying to get a job for the summer, or you want a fulltime career right now, there are a few things you can do to better your chances of finding the right job for you right now.
First, make your goals clear on your resume and application. Wherever you apply, you want them to know what you’re looking for. Many companies hire both fulltime permanent employees and seasonal employees, so you want them to know which category you fall into. They may have a certain need that they are trying to fulfill, and by making it clear upfront what you want, they can know right away whether or not you’re right for them. It will help to streamline the search for both of you. A lot of people don’t like to have a “Goal” section on their resume, but in this instance, it is worth differentiating.
Next, identify what your best opportunities are. Some jobs are better suited for summer employment than others. Other jobs are strictly career level only. Figure out what your goals are for sure, but then try to find something that is suitable for your timeframes. If you are looking for a summer job that can help you build career experience, this will be a little bit tougher for you, but it is possible.
As a side note for students, you may also want to look at internships if you are just looking for summer employment, but want to build up experience. Getting a summer job at a fast food chain will earn you money, but it’s not necessarily going to help you build up your resume as a software engineer. If this is something that concerns you, speak to your school’s career placement department and see if any companies have contacted them about looking for interns. This will help you to speed up your job search for the summer, and it could even earn you some extra school credit. Just know that many internships are nonpaying positions. For some students that’s fine, for others it isn’t. Know what you need before you make a commitment.
Next, you need to be persistent. There are a lot of job seekers out there, and many of them will get jobs before you. Don’t be discourage and don’t give up. If you want a great job, it’s likely not going to be the first job you apply to. For a summer job, it’s okay to take something that you don’t want to do for the rest of your life, but if you’re looking for a career, you need to be a little more persistent and patient. Figure out what your interests are and what you enjoy, and then tailor your job search in those areas.
Finally, follow up. If you haven’t received any sort of confirmation or notification within 48 hours after you have applied, give them a follow up phone call. Ask to speak to a manager, and explain that you applied for employment. At this time, be sure to tell them if this is a summer job or if it’s a permanent thing. If they’re not hiring for the position you want, they’ll let you know and you can focus your efforts elsewhere.