|
|
April 8, 2005
Start search now for job
Use your resources to find best summer employment.
RON GOODINE
Finding a summer job is a lot of work. Even trying to figure out
where to begin can boggle the mind. Working as a vocational counsellor,
I often see young people who come into my office in July at a loss.
I hear, "I just can't find anything."
The first tip I can offer you is to figure out what you want to
do for the summer and start looking now. Have job targets
in mind. What do you want to do? Let's say your ideal job is working
outdoors – which, by the way, is a popular option for many
students. Narrow it down. There are all kinds of opportunities,
so think about two or three different job types. For example, you
might look at gardening and landscaping, painting houses or walking
dogs.
Once you have two or three targets, it's time to start approaching
employers. Career and employment counsellors will tell you the best
ways to find a job are through your network or direct employer contact.
Don't just send resumés out there into the ether. Start by
asking around. Talk to your friends, family and anyone else you
have a good relationship with – these people are your network.
In terms of direct employer contact, get out the Yellow Pages or
go online to figure out what companies are in the business of doing
what you want to do. Create a list of potential employers.
Let's say the worse case scenario is that no one in your network
has leads. Then it's time to pound the pavement. I recommend that
you show up at an employer's door at a good time. This means avoiding
peak business hours. For example, if you want to work as a server
in a restaurant, you should either show up before or after a meal
rush, never during. It is really bad form for you to show up at
a business of any sort during their peak hours asking for a job.
The rule of thumb for any business when looking for a job is to
show up before or after peak times, and be sure to ask the employer
if it is a good time to talk to him or her. If not, ask when you
should come back. Go away and come back at the time preferred by
the employer.
When approaching an employer, make a good first impression. Scrub
up, be polite and dress like you're ready for work. Don't show up
at a construction site in designer threads if you want a laborer's
job. You want to leave the employer with the impression that you
belong. Make it easy for them to imagine you working for them.
A really important tip is to start early. Don't leave your job hunt
until the last minute. I recommend that you start your job search
before you start studying for your final exams, even if no one is
hiring. Better yet, if you really want to get a jump on things,
start volunteering. In the world of nonprofit, for example, the
few summer jobs available go most often to those who have been volunteering
during the school year. There are many wonderful volunteer positions
out there that will allow you to develop all sorts of skills and
expertise. The last time I went to www.govolunteer.ca,
I noticed that there were more than 300 positions posted for Vancouver
alone.
One final recommendation: use available employment resources like
youth employment programs, the Jewish Family Service Agency, the
Human Resources and Development Canada student program and college
and university employment offices. Be targeted, use your network,
start early, be prepared to pound the pavement and use job search
resources. Finally, put your best foot forward. If you do the work
and believe in yourself, others will too.
Ron Goodine is a vocational counsellor with the Jewish
Family Service Agency.
^TOP
|
|
