5 steps to getting a summer job A.S.A.P.

With the extreme cold weather alerts, midterms, and assignments piling up, you’d think it can’t get any worse. You might think that summer is coming and things will look up, but you’re wrong. Summer is no fun when you don’t have money to buy an ice-cold beer for patio living. Don’t fret though, because there’s still time to find a summer job that you want, and these tips will make things easier (satisfaction not guaranteed).

The Purge

I’m glad you had a great time at 77 and that you hooked up with a class-A hottie, but your prospective employer doesn’t need to see that. Try pipl.com or Google yourself and see what comes up. Then delete anything embarrassing, distasteful, and offensive. As a reward, you can un-tag yourself from unflattering photos as well. Like it or not, you’re a grown-up now, and you have to watch what you post or tweet.

Socialize (Eww, I know right?)

At risk of sounding like a hardcore Conservative, job opportunities are out there if you are looking for them! Be sure to take advantage of all the tools available to you. The Ontario Job Bank, OSCARplus, and the like are good places to start, but be sure to ask family and friends. Speak to a professor who knows you well or an advisor at your faculty office. Even if you don’t succeed initially, you will be rewarded eventually. Networking is the most important skill in a job hunt.

Do Your Homework  (only you can actually get paid for this!)

Once you’ve found positions you’re interested in, narrow them down to a list of ten at maximum. Quality over quantity is important in this case, because you want your application to stand out. Take the time to research the company and reflect on why you want to work there (other than for the moula – we all knew that). A personalized cover letter is always better than a generic one.

The Personal Touch

To truly add a personal touch, follow up on your applications with a phone call, or better yet, a visit. It makes you a more memorable applicant and harder to turn away. This is especially important if you want a position that isn’t advertised. For example, no veterinary hospitals were hiring, but as an aspiring veterinarian I made a point to send emails and drop off resumes at a number of clinics because I really wanted the experience. Sure, I wasn’t paid at the beginning, and I’m privileged enough to not have to worry about that, but I’ve since become part of the staff and now pups lick my face all the time!

An Attractive Resume

Different jobs have different accepted formats. But in general, an eye-catching resume will do you wonders. So take your dry resumé and give it a Princess Diaries-style makeover. Play around on Photoshop or use a slightly different layout. A tiny splash of colour can make all the difference. Online, be sure to update your Linkedin. Make sure it’s easy to read and filled with relevant keywords.