How to Find a Summer Job

Whether you're a high school student looking for cash, a college student trying to make tuition payments, or a teacher trying to supplement their income, summer jobs may be tougher to find during a tough economy. Businesses are cutting back on hiring, and you have more competition for the few jobs available because of the high unemployment rate. This guide on how to look for a summer job will provide you with tips and strategies that should make it easier for you to find a summer job.

Introduction
- Businesses typically take on summer help to do special projects, staff up during their busy season, or as part of a recruiting program for future college graduates. People look for summer jobs to provide experience and income during a season that they are not working or out of school. Although summer jobs may not be as plentiful during a recession, there are still some available. The tips on this page will help you be one of the lucky ones who lands a job this summer!
Step 1: Start Your Job Search Early
- (Creative Commons photo by Todd Page)
- Many companies beginning hiring for the summer season in March, so you should begin your job search in January, doing research and making preliminary contacts. It's never to late to start looking, but understand that your competition may have been pounding the pavement for several months, so you may need to work harder to get noticed by employers.
- You'll probably begin your search by perusing local newspaper help wanted and online job sites, but when you're ready to get serious, you need to network.
Step 2: Use Your Connections and Network
- Many summer jobs are found through personal referrals. You'll want to inform everyone you know that you're available and eager to work.
1. Your list of contacts should include:
  1. Parents
  2. Other relatives
  3. High school teachers (even if you're in college)
  4. College professors
  5. Neighbors
  6. Your friends' parents
  7. Past employers
  8. Colleagues at previous jobs
2. Attend locate meetings of business networking groups such as BNI. Most of these organizations welcome visitors, and you'll be able to connect with 30-40 employers at a time.
3. Visit your local Chamber of Commerce and Rotary chapters.
4. Identify local businesses in fields that interest you and send them a personalized cover note and resume. Use organizations like LinkedIn to identify contacts at those target companies that people who know can introduce you to.
Step 4: Be Flexible
- Don't be too specific about what you'd like to do. Consider a wide variety of jobs and opportunities. If you're working for cash, apply for anything you may be qualified for. If you're working for experience, consider jobs that are in anyway related to your field, even if you think at first that they may not be an exact fit.
Step 5: Consider Internships
- If you haven't been able to land a paying position, consider volunteering as an intern. You'll gain experience, add to your resume, and position yourself to be first in line for a job with that organization next summer.
Conclusion
- Don't get discouraged! Starting early, working your connections, and being flexible about the work you'll accept will increase the odds of you landing a summer job.