Summer Jobs: Resource Round-Up

Summer jobs are an all-important rite of passage for many young adults. Though the prospect of flipping burgers or bagging groceries might not seem glamorous, there is a high correlation between teen employment and better job prospects later on in life. So, if you’re looking to find some seasonal employment this summer, here are four resources to jump-start your job search:

1. Local job fairs. Many cities and states offer regular, local job fairs for job seekers. You can do an internet search for “Your location” and “job fairs” to see what may be happening in your area soon. Job fairs will often have local companies looking to either hire new employees or generate a pool to draw from later. Besides getting hired, job fairs provide a great place to network. You can make contacts inside companies you want to work for and follow up with them after the fair to thank them for their time and ask for more information.
2. University career services. If you’re a university student, the very first place you should turn to is your career services center. University career counselors have had years of experience helping students find great fit jobs at appropriate companies. Some universities even maintain their own job boards with listings specifically for university students. If you need a job that will be flexible with your schedule, or are hoping to find something that won’t judge you for being a student, this is a great first stop. A bonus is that, when you are preparing to graduate, you’ll already have made a good impression on the career center. They can help you find post-graduation employment as well.
3. Job sites. Most of us will instinctively turn to sites like Indeed.com, Monster.com, and Idealist.org to find our next job opportunity. These sites are a good resource, since they often collect job listings from a number of different websites. However, don’t rely on job sites as your only source of job seeking. Many job postings are flooded with applicants, and with many recruiters only looking at resumes for ten seconds, it can sometimes be hard to catch any lasting attention. However, they are a great starting point, and you shouldn’t write them off entirely.
4. Canvassing local businesses. Many local businesses hire new employees for the summer to cover extra hours, work fairs, etc. A good way to get your foot in the door for summer hiring is by dropping off a customized resume and cover letter in person. Then, check in a week later to see if any decisions have been made about summer hiring. My suggestion? Make a list of the local businesses you think you’d enjoy working for. Do a little research and figure out what they will most value in an employee, and then tailor your resume to include those qualities (if you have them!). Dropping the resume off in person adds an extra touch; they now know what you look like, and they know that you took the time to visit their business in person.

Another piece of advice for you: start your summer jobs search early (i.e. before school is out). Job searching can sometimes take several months, and starting early will give you a leg up on the competition that only start looking when school ends in early June. Summer jobs can act as good resume builders, giving you concrete experience to pair with volunteer and school events.  Additionally, some summer jobs can turn over to year-long employment. So start your job search soon and happy hunting!

Career Solutions Group specializes in helping career changers find their next big opportunity. If you’re thinking of making a career change, consider emailing us at info@careersolutionsgroup.net. We offer free initial consultations, and can help you make a smooth transition.

By: Julia Pillard, Career Solutions Group