Summer is in full swing and you can’t wait to spend your time relaxing and having fun with friends and family. However, having fun can come at a price and money doesn’t grow on trees. Result? You’re going to need a job. Having a temporary summer job not only helps support your social life but is a great opportunity for you to start saving a bit of money too. But how do you get one of those part-time summer jobs, I hear you say? Well, don’t worry because we know every trick in the book when it comes to bagging a summer job. Find out what makes employers tick as we share with you our top tips for finding temporary summer employment.
Start looking NOW
Summer hiring has already begun so if you’ve not already been looking then you need to get a move on. The earlier you start looking the more opportunities will come your way. It’s a good idea to try and not be too picky either. If you’re resting all your hopes on that one really cool sounding job then chances are there’s a bunch of other hopefuls doing the exact same thing, making the competition much harder. Make the most of the summer job opportunities that come your way as you never know what the future holds and a job you weren’t initially that interested in could turn into something much more…
Stay positive!
A positive attitude is one of the most important things an employer is searching for in a summer hire. Demonstrating a positive working attitude in an interview or first shift will create a lasting impression that you’ll get the job done and work well with the rest of the team. Being positive can really work to your advantage and will illustrate to the employer that you’re passionate and enthusiastic about the position. Not only that but it’s good to stay positive during the job-hunting process. There may be times where you don’t get the shift or gig you want, but stay strong and keep trying.
Be flexible
Working a summer job potentially means working weekends and evenings but you’d be surprised at how many people will rule a job out purely on that basis. But by making it a priority to be available for the hard to fill shifts, you’ll be setting yourself apart from the competition. Summer has an abundance of seasonal jobs on offer and for many businesses, it’s their peak money-making period so they need to know that they have a reliable group of staff that will be available for the whole summer. Think about it, would you rather hire someone who can work mid-week in the middle of the day or someone who is available whenever you need them.
Be confident
Being confident in the way you act and speak instils a sense of trust with employers that you know what you’re doing, will be able to deal with customers in a friendly and professional manner and that they won’t need to keep checking up on you. This includes looking the employer in the eye when speaking to them, not saying “um” all the time and not slouching. All of which sounds quite obvious but can go along way to help create a good first impression. Don’t be overly confident though, if you’re unsure how to do a specific part of the job then you should always ask.
Be social media savvy
You may or may not be aware but many employers will check out the social media profiles of candidates and employees to get a feel for what they’re really like before hiring them. Do yourself a favour and check over all of your social media channels and make sure there is nothing inappropriate or illegal on there. Even if you think they’ll understand it was a joke, this could create a really bad first impression. Employers want to know that they’re hiring someone professional and that they won’t cause any trouble. In addition, we wouldn’t recommend plastering your social accounts with photos from a boozy night out and then calling in sick. Employers aren’t stupid and could lose you the job. Open the door of opportunity and find the job that’s right for you.
