Summer Jobs for Youth
- Do a self-analysis. What do you have to offer a potential employer? What kind of skills do you have? What kind of work have you done in the past, paid or volunteer? What have you learned at school that might be useful in your ideal job?
- Develop a resume. You will create a professional image if you present a polished resume for potential employers. Visit us at one of our three employment centres and learn about cover letters for specific jobs that target youth. See our cover letter Discussion here on Facebook for more information.
- Use all your available resources to land a job. Talk with your parents and older family members, your friend's parents, your teachers, and any other adults you know and ask them if they have any contacts with a company that may be hiring. Give your family, friends and contacts copies of your resume. This is called step networking, and it will give you the highest chances of landing a job.
- Start hitting the pavement, reading the newspaper want ads, and/or surfing the Web. Our website at www.noees.com has a great list of job posting sites which can make your search a whole lot easier. If you need help or direction come into one of our centres where our helpful and willing staff will be able to guide you in the right direction.
- Familiarize yourself with job applications and have all the information you need to complete them.
- Know something about the company you are applying for and develop answers to common interview questions. Think of a few questions you could ask, practice, practice, practice with a family member or a friend, dress conservatively for the interview. Drop by our employment centre and ask for us to guide you through a mock interview, this can be a great way to practice and get rid of the pre-interview jitters.
Where youth can find summer jobs
There are any number of places where you can look for a good summer job:
- Local merchants - local stores often need good help and not just in the summer.
- Small businesses - most towns have a number of small business offices and your family or friends probably know several owners or office managers.
- Corporate offices - Many have established summer jobs and internship programs, but often these are the most competitive.
- Stores at the mall - Do you have a favourite store you like to shop at in the mall? Maybe now is the time to get a job there just be careful not to spend all your earnings buying their products.
- Hotels and resorts - Summer is the busy season for most hotels and resorts.
- Tourist attractions - Even if you don't live in Victoria or Ottawa, most provinces have tourist attractions that especially need help during the busy tourism season.
- Golf & Tennis clubs - as the weather improves, these clubs are usually looking for part time help.
- Grocery stores - Maybe not the most exciting jobs, but probably the most convenient, and not just for summer.
- Fast food and restaurants - Local restaurants always need good help and while not the most glamorous, it's still a job.
- Parks and recreation departments - City, provincial and federal parks and recreation departments often develop special summer programs, and thus have job opportunities.
- Local government summer job programs - Often various government agencies sponsor different kinds of summer youth work programs.
- Summer camps - You went to camp as a kid, now you can go back as a counsellor and get paid while being at camp.
- Working for yourself - There are all sorts of jobs/businesses you could develop for yourself in your neighbourhood for example, lawn care, dog walking, cat sitting or small errands for elderly people are some good ideas you could expand on.
- The Web - If you want to work outside your neighbourhood, or even your province, the Web is the place for you to explore all sorts of summer job opportunities.
What do employers look for in youth
Employers want motivated employees who are going to arrive to work on time, have a positive attitude, work hard, work well with others, show leadership qualities, work their full shift, and do the best job they can. You need to show your employer that you are a good investment, both for the current position, as well as for any potential future positions.
Final words of advice
Jobs are jobs. You are going to have to work, no matter how "cool" the job or company, so be prepared for some days to not be as great as others. The keys to remember are that you are earning money, you are gaining experience, and you are making good contacts (and references).
