The dos and don’ts of the summer job search
This summer, thousands of students across Canada will choose seasonal retail and hospitality jobs for extra spending money, to help pay next year's tuition or to finance their travels abroad.
They may seem like McJobs to some, but what many don't realize is that retail and hospitality experience is becoming increasingly valuable to employers in many industries.
"In many businesses, learning from the ground up will provide valuable insight into the business, customers and products, and give you foundational knowledge that will help you to be promoted once you graduate," said Kirsti Stubbs, a recruiter at Starbucks Coffee Canada who connects with students looking for summer employment.
"Many students who started working at Starbucks continued with us after graduation and now have senior retail leadership roles that involve marketing, HR, finance and customer service."
Here, Ms. Stubbs offers some tips to help you land a summer job that could ultimately help you launch your career.
Do use your network
Networking isn't just for full-time employment after you've graduated. "Tell everyone you know you are looking for a summer job - you never know who might be able to help you out," said Ms. Stubbs.
She said she recommends talking to all of the people in your social, academic and professional networks, and letting them know what you're looking for. And don't be afraid to ask them for a reference.
Students should also visit company websites and connect with employers on social media sites. "Don't forget to use Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to assist in your job search; these tools expand your network reach and are available to you for free."
Don't keep your job search too narrow
One of the biggest mistakes students make when it comes to summer job opportunities is not being open to all the different industries, roles and experiences that are out there.
"Even if the position does not align directly with your 'dream job' following graduation," Ms. Stubbs said, "you will likely have the opportunity to learn valuable skills from individuals who have senior experience, build your network, and perhaps work cross-functionally with other teams."
Also, don't forget about the jobs that you can work at beyond the summer months. For example, many students work part-time during school at companies such as Starbucks to earn extra money and gain additional customer service experience that will help them no matter what career path they pursue after graduation.
Don't underestimate the value of a great résumé
"Your résumé is the face of your application; it should read well and look great," said Ms. Stubbs. "Make sure your résumé highlights the key aspects of your past experience and education in a logical way, is easy to read, and has consistent formatting."
The best way to achieve this is to find someone who works in the human resources industry to proofread your résumé. Most colleges and universities also offer free résumé review services at the career centre, so it's a good idea to take advantage of those while you're still a student or recent graduate.
Do dress appropriately and be prepared
Especially when it comes to retail and hospitality opportunities, make sure you dress appropriately, are ready to complete an application, and are prepared for an on-the-spot interview.
"A good rule is to dress so that your interviewer can picture you in the job you will be doing," said Ms. Stubbs. "No matter where you are applying, though, jeans, dirty running shoes or wrinkled shirts are a big no-no in interviews."
Don't forget to bring your résumé and the information you need to complete an application, along with a pen and pad of paper for notes.
Don't be late for your interview!
"This one may seem like a no-brainer, but keep in mind: if you can't get to your interview in time, what does that say about your ability to show up for work on time on a regular basis?" said Ms. Stubbs.
Do be persistent
If the organizations you would love to work for do not have opportunities right now, Ms. Stubbs said she recommends keeping in touch with the people you met during the job-hunt process.
"Send e-mails from time to time, invite them for a coffee, or send them articles you know are related to the industry or role they are in. Keeping in contact keeps you top of mind, and when you do it in a meaningful way, you are proving both the value you can add and your professionalism."
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Comments
Thank you for not putting an apostrophe in "dos". It's rare I see it spelled right!
Intersting article... why didn't Mrs. Stubbs write it herself?
I hate HR people. They're the biggest idiots in job search process and often screen out applicants who should not be screened out.
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