Student Life

5 Tips to Land a Summer Job

5 Tips to Land a Summer Job
Your parents are right, it’s time to get a job. Not necessarily a job related to your field of study, but something to keep you busy during the summer break and to put some much-needed cash in your pockets. 

Before you start cramming for finals, your job search should have begun as that is when employers are on the look-out. So, in order to get noticed, put your best you forward with some of these simple steps.

1. Tidy up your social media pages
All your friends love that you are the life of the party, but your future employer doesn’t need to know about your late-night escapades. Do your future “You” a favour and remove any pictures, videos and posts that paint you in a negative light. 

While you are there, update the world on all your academic successes, upcoming opportunities and life experiences. You should drop your cute email address and create one with your full name. Additionally, your “About Me” page should be brief but memorable, and your profile picture should be tasteful and professional-looking.

2. Universities are great at finding you work
Every university has a Career Center that mostly gets unnoticed despite their regular attempts at grabbing your attention. From my personal experience, the career advisors at my University Career Office were uplifting, supportive, knowledgeable and well versed on the ever-changing jobs trends. Inquire about the digital board of employers looking for someone like you! 

3. Tailor your CV 
Competition is tough out there, and as a student, you aren’t the most impressive candidate just yet. Give yourself a leg up on the competition by tailoring your CV to the business you are applying to. 

This means trimming fat on your resume to the core skills and experiences that are relevant to the job you have your eye on. Yes, it’s fantastic that you were the valedictorian at your elementary school, but that won’t impress any employer. Check out your career centre for CV Review drop-ins for valuable tips!

4. Become an Entrepreneur
Countless successful Canadian businesses were the product of savvy university students with nothing to do over the summer break. Any episode of Dragon’s Den will tell you that it doesn’t take a genius to develop something practical that people will use. Take advantage of this precious break and get creative. 

Do something risky, fun and exciting, because in the not too distant future, when you join the workforce full-time, you may not have the opportunity to do so.

5. Show yourself
In a digital age, we forget that face to face interactions are incredibly valuable in the job market. If there is a position that piques your interest, show up at their office. Confidence is difficult to demonstrate behind a screen or on paper so, make your voice heard loud and clear. 

Before embarking on your brazen assignment, learn about the company’s history, successes and failures. Victory will only come to those who are the most prepared. 

Landing a great summer job is no easy task and requires a lot of patience and preparation. At a time when companies are not short on CVs streaming through their HR Office, you must be bold, unique and above all, enthusiastic!

If you are looking to look for summer jobs right now, check out our article on 10 remote jobs for high school and college students.

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