Summer Jobs have always been a part of college life and most High School students desired them also. But with this horribly economy even Middle School and Elementary School students are asking their parents how they can get a summer job too?
With this very bad recession students more then ever need money and with a summer job you will not only have that money you need, you will also be getting that valuable experience you must have in your future career. Companys are cutting thousands of full time jobs and summer jobs are being cut along with them. There was a time when you could have gotten a summer job putting bumpers on GM cars, but those days are gone forever. This is madding but don’t let it get you down, because there are still good summer jobs out there, you are just going to have to work and be a little more savvy to get them. Now there is nothing like applying in January for that summer job in June, but don’t think because it’s after July Fourth that you can’t get one. Many students leave their summer jobs for various reasons and that means a new summer job opening for you!
You won’t find them in Elementary School or Middle School, but if you are in High School or College your surest bet to getting a 2009 Summer Job is talking to your Guidance Counselor or your Career Service Representative. These professionals should be the first people you talk to because they can put you touch with many local employers that are hiring now!
Local employers will be in contact with your Guidance Counselor’s Office and these employers will post their Help Wanted ads on the office bulletin board. This bulletin board should be the first place you should check for summer jobs. Some employers only advertise here with no newspaper advertising at all. So don’t overlook this most obvious place first. Remember the Guidance Counselor is paid to help you, so take advantage of it.
Here are some tips to get that 2009 summer job in this recession. For Elementary School and Middle School students do you help dad around the yard? this may lead to a lawn cutting job, do you help mom with the new baby? this may lead to a babysitting job. For High School students, are you a Sea Scout, Girl Scout or any kind of club member? Well if you are or were a club member put that down on your first job application, it shows you can work with others and leadership ability. For College students you are most likely old hands at summer jobs and had many of them before, so remember put all of the summer jobs you had in years past down on your resume.
Are you applying for summer jobs using the internet, regular mail or in person? Well this subject is a no-brainer! You should always apply for summer jobs in-person. Employers don’t want to look at a computer screen or paper applications, employers want to see you alive and in front of them. Summer job seekers who apply in person always get the jobs they want.
One other good summer job seeking idea would be to list ALL of the busineses that you patronize. Do you go to the local drug store, candy store, pet shop or dinner to shop or eat? If you do, then you are a valuable customer to them, and as such they will listen to you and they may take you on as their new employee. But even if they are not currently hiring, remember these people are business people and business people always know other business people who are hiring. With a possible job contact and a good word or two from them, you will have a better then average chance of getting that job at another business they know. The key to always be working, is to always be making contacts! This rule applys not only to summer jobs but to your whole working life.
Making contacts and talking to adults is the key to a summer job, and contacts can come from just about anywhere. When I was a 16 year old girl, I desperately wanted a summer job but I didn’t know any adults who would give me one in the small town we lived in. But one day my 10 year brother had his new friend sleep over in our house and the next day his father came to pick him up. Well I was sitting in our kitchen looking so sad when he walked in and he asked me what was the the matter with me? So I told him I needed a summer job, and he said he was looking for a girl to work in the snack bar in the Miniature Golf Course he owned in the next town. Well, I got my new summer job that day just by talking to an adult and you will get yours too! (c) 2009 Sandy Kenton Ph.D.
