By: Christina Williams, Marketing and P.R. director at Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore (JAES)
The days are warming, finals are almost over, summer activities beckon–and your pockets are empty. You need a job, and employers need you. With the economy gaining ever more traction, this summer is the perfect one to find employment. Job search engine Snagajob.com recently reported out of a thousand surveyed managers, forty-four percent are seeking more hourly seasonal workers this year than last.
How and where you being your summer job search can be a daunting task. Narrowing your search field is the first step. Do you have any specific skills or training? Lifeguarding? Child CPR? Do you play soccer? If so, a job at a pool or with a day or sports camp would be ideal. Do you work well with people and enjoy fast paced environments? A job in retail or the restaurant industry may be a great fit. Temp services also regularly seek employees to fill short-term positions in a vast selection of office environments–a good match for those who are considering a career in business. If none of these options sound bold enough, website Coolworks.com lists a variety of exciting job openings at sleepover camps, national parks, and adventure outfitters.
Once you have discovered the summer job of your dreams, how do you go about landing it? According to the 2015 Teens and Summer Jobs Survey by Junior Achievement USA (JA), sixty-one percent of thirteen to seventeen year-olds plan to get a summer job this year. With that much competition, how can you ensure you stay on top of the call back pile? Here are a few tools to help you gain the edge and secure your new gig.
Pay attention to details – If a job posting requires an application, fill it out carefully and neatly. Return it to the employer in the manner requested. If replying via email, be certain your address is appropriate. “Partygirl1998” is not trust inspiring. If an employer asks for a resume, be sure it is written well and reflects your skills and employable characteristics. If you have job experience, note it. If you do not, having volunteer experience will always give you an edge. When listing skills, focus on the ones that are relevant and will enhance your future team. While your undefeated status in a game app may be impressive, it isn’t a transferrable skill in most situations. The fact you coded your own app at age fifteen shows your intelligence, drive, and creativity to all employers.
Dress well – A suit may be overkill unless you are seeking employment in a professional office environment, but that does not mean scuffed sneakers, jeans, and a tee shirt are acceptable. Opt for a pair of clean, pressed slacks and an equally cared for button down shirt or polo. Skirts are fine. Mini skirts are not. This is the first impression your possible future boss is getting of you. Make it favorable.
Be present – Being present is more than physically occupying the space. Arrive ten to fifteen minutes early. Turn off your cell phone, spit out any gum you may be chewing, and walk into the interview with eyes up, good posture, and a smile. Offer a firm handshake, and take a seat when prompted. Sit straight, listen to the questions, and think about the answers before replying. When your potential employer is speaking, maintain eye contact, don’t fidget, and provide positive non-verbal feedback such as nodding when the other person is speaking. You will appear calm, confident, and will make a favorable impression on your prospective employer. In their 2010 article by Ross Bonander, Mint.com states about the interview process, “In their many publications over the years, the Post family (they who man the Emily Post Institute of etiquette) have pointed out that, all told, good manners actually tend to go unnoticed. What’s noticed is their result: a smooth and enjoyable social connection between people.” In short, interviewers will remember less of what you said, and more of how you presented yourself during your meeting. Be honest about your skills, give them the best impression of you, and you will be on the job in no time.
The need for employment comes to everyone. It is never too early to start building your resume and bankrolling some of that hard-earned cash for college, savings, or retirement, and discovering or confirming the work you may want to do for the rest of your life. The long summer days present the opportunity to do just that. Take some time to make a foundation for your future, and those days off at the beach will be all the more memorable—and affordable.
Christina Williams is the Marketing and P.R. director at Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore (JAES), a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to teaching age-appropriate financial literacy, workforce readiness, and entrepreneurship programs. Once such program, JA Career Success, is a high school program that equips students with the tools and skills required to earn and keep a job. Through enthusiastic volunteers and charitable donations from individuals and businesses, JAES continues its mission to making a difference in our future communities today. This year JAES has reached over 6,000 students across the shore. www.easternshoreja.org.
