School is wrapping up which means it’s time to find summer employment. If you are anything like me, you’ll probably go home, where you can live for free and save money versus having to pay for rent and slowly watch your bank account drain.
Most students will have the same summer employer year after year; however, not all of us are as fortunate. Applying for job after job can be exhausting, especially if you aren’t getting calls for interviews.
I’ve compiled a few tips to follow the next time you apply for your summer gig.
1. Clean up your social media
Most employers immediately turn to the search engine upon receiving an application. That means all your social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) are bound to turn up.
Make sure you’ve noted that you don’t always have to be a registered user to creep through an account, because a quick peek of that rager you attended last week may be enough to turn you down.
This doesn’t mean that you need to be a squeaky clean prude, but keep in mind, if you don’t want your grandma to read or see it, then you probably shouldn’t post it.
2. Create a strong resume
Your resume is your selling point. Be sure to include an objective, skills, education, work experience, licensures and certifications, and any relevant course work. The ultimate goal is to show employers that you are a shoe-in for the job. This may easily be completed by adding in key words found in the job description and requirements.
Take the extra step and create a cover letter. The purpose of a cover letter is to introduce yourself to an organization, demonstrate your interest in the company or a specific vacancy, draw attention to your resume, and motivate the reader to interview you. Nowadays, most applicants no longer submit a cover letter, so submitting a cover letter will make you far more notable and set you apart from other candidates.
With all of that being said, please do not forget to proofread.
3. Networking
When you are on the job hunt, don’t be afraid to let others know you are looking for employment. Use it to your advantage to share! Word travels quickly, and who knows, maybe your best friend’s brother’s uncle’s cat’s girlfriend might have the position just for you.
Another place to start is with references. Be sure to have a minimum of at least three: a past employer, a professor, and another of your choosing. I’d avoid using family members at all costs.
4. Be prepared to answer any type of question during interviews
Always, always, ALWAYS be prepared for an interview. Next to public speaking, interviews are the most terrifying. You get to sit in a room and are asked a bunch of questions all the while the person sitting across from you is scrutinizing your answers and formulating opinions.
That being said, the questions most commonly answered incorrectly include: “What are my greatest weaknesses?” or “Have I ever made a mistake while on the job?” When potential employers ask these questions, they look for a few things; accepting responsibility, identifying areas of improvement, and showing your level of confidence are just a few skills these questions show.
5. Be patient
Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither was your career. It may take up to two to three weeks after submitting an application to receive a phone call for an interview. After the interview, it may take another week or two, depending upon how many other candidates applied. On top of it all, you still may not get the job so you’ll have to repeat the dreaded process.
If you are completely inpatient and expect immediate gratification, it’s okay to send a follow up email touching base with a possible employer. Be sure to let them know that you are eager to work for their company, just be sure to avoiding smothering them.
