It goes without saying that this Summer of 2009 college students will be looking for Summer Jobs and many high school students will be looking for those summer jobs too. But with so many parents out-of-work, we are seeing a new trend of middle school students and unbelievably even Elementary School students looking for Summer Jobs!
One day in the future you will get your career dream job, and a summer job now will give you valuable working experience that you could use for that Future Dream Job. But in the summer of 2009 there are simply less summer jobs available because of the recession. Getting a job at Circuit City would have been a great summer job in the summer of 2007, but those jobs are gone in the summer of 2009. Don't let this frustrate you because the world has not come to an end in 2009 and there are still great summer jobs out there, you just have to be a little more savvy about getting them. To put yourself ahead of your fellow summer job seekers, don't wait until the last minute to apply for a summer job. But also don't think you can't get one after July 4, because many students go back to college for summer courses and their jobs need to be filled by new employees.
Your Guidance Counselor and Career Service Representative are the first people you should go to for advice. They know the local job market and are your best bet to getting a 2009 Summer Job.
Your Guidance Counselor will most likely have a bulletin board in his office with new daily to monthly local job openings. This is the obvious place to look for a summer job, and it is also the best place because not all local jobs are printed in your local newspapers. Some employers just need a student to do some part-time work and they don't want the whole town or city coming in for a job interview, so they only post on school bulletin boards. Remember the school's Guidance Counselor is a professional who is there to help you, so use his or her resources to help you land that 2009 Summer Job.
High School students did you know that even if you have no job experience you could still put down on your first job application that you are or were a Boy Scout or Girl Scout. Employers are impressed with this because it shows team leadership. For Elementary School and Middle School students, if you help around the house you could put that down too, do you help dad with painting? this could impress a painting contractor and do you help mom planting roses? this could impress a landscaping business. Lastly for College students, you most likely have many summer jobs under your belt, so don't forget to update your resume to include all of your previous jobs.
This is the internet age and maybe you're thinking you will just sent the job applications through the internet or snail mail? But don't do it, employers want to see a live body with a face standing and looking at them. Many summer job seekers will apply on-line, but you will get that job when you apply in person.
There is a golden rule about jobs that goes "If you always want to be working, always be making contacts" Now you maybe thinking that only applys to people on wallstreet but it could easily apply to your first job. Think of all the stores and fast food restaurants that you go to every week? They know you and they like you because you are a regular customer, and because you always purchase from them they will listen to you. Tell them that you are looking for summer work and are they hiring or do they know another business that is hiring? All businesses have dozens of contacts and chances are they will tell you on the spot the business they know who is hiring. You talked to that business person and you got that job, because you made that contact!
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.
One day in the future you will get your career dream job, and a summer job now will give you valuable working experience that you could use for that Future Dream Job. But in the summer of 2009 there are simply less summer jobs available because of the recession. Getting a job at Circuit City would have been a great summer job in the summer of 2007, but those jobs are gone in the summer of 2009. Don't let this frustrate you because the world has not come to an end in 2009 and there are still great summer jobs out there, you just have to be a little more savvy about getting them. To put yourself ahead of your fellow summer job seekers, don't wait until the last minute to apply for a summer job. But also don't think you can't get one after July 4, because many students go back to college for summer courses and their jobs need to be filled by new employees.
Your Guidance Counselor and Career Service Representative are the first people you should go to for advice. They know the local job market and are your best bet to getting a 2009 Summer Job.
Your Guidance Counselor will most likely have a bulletin board in his office with new daily to monthly local job openings. This is the obvious place to look for a summer job, and it is also the best place because not all local jobs are printed in your local newspapers. Some employers just need a student to do some part-time work and they don't want the whole town or city coming in for a job interview, so they only post on school bulletin boards. Remember the school's Guidance Counselor is a professional who is there to help you, so use his or her resources to help you land that 2009 Summer Job.
High School students did you know that even if you have no job experience you could still put down on your first job application that you are or were a Boy Scout or Girl Scout. Employers are impressed with this because it shows team leadership. For Elementary School and Middle School students, if you help around the house you could put that down too, do you help dad with painting? this could impress a painting contractor and do you help mom planting roses? this could impress a landscaping business. Lastly for College students, you most likely have many summer jobs under your belt, so don't forget to update your resume to include all of your previous jobs.
This is the internet age and maybe you're thinking you will just sent the job applications through the internet or snail mail? But don't do it, employers want to see a live body with a face standing and looking at them. Many summer job seekers will apply on-line, but you will get that job when you apply in person.
There is a golden rule about jobs that goes "If you always want to be working, always be making contacts" Now you maybe thinking that only applys to people on wallstreet but it could easily apply to your first job. Think of all the stores and fast food restaurants that you go to every week? They know you and they like you because you are a regular customer, and because you always purchase from them they will listen to you. Tell them that you are looking for summer work and are they hiring or do they know another business that is hiring? All businesses have dozens of contacts and chances are they will tell you on the spot the business they know who is hiring. You talked to that business person and you got that job, because you made that contact!
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.
About the Author:
Dr. Sandy Kenton was a High School Guidance Counselor for 14 years and worked as Corporate Head Hunter and Student Employment Consultant for three relocation companys. Her articles and excellent Free Report "Getting Student Jobs 101" can be found at: 2009 Summer Jobs For You
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