How to Perfect Your Summer Job Hunt

Posted on Tuesday, January 24th, 2017

It may be snowy and chilly outside, but it’s already time to start thinking of your summer job!

Whether you’re working through the summer or are on the hunt for a co-op position, January is the time that employers start posting their summer openings.

This is a highly competitive time. Lots of students will be looking for the same jobs you are, so how do you set yourself apart? These tips will get you started early, help you stand out from the crowd, and find you the perfect summer job.

 

Be Organized

Job hunting is a lot of work, and it can be a daunting task to get started. The trick to making it the least stressful as possible is to stay super organized.

Making a spreadsheet can be the best way to stay on top of your application game. If you keep track of what you’ve applied to, when you applied, and the result, you’ll have a far better idea of where you stand.

It’s also helpful to keep all your files well organized. You know that you need to change up your resume and cover letter to make it relevant to each individual job, right? Keep a copy of each version saved on your hard drive with the job title in the file name. That way, if you get called to do an interview, you know exactly which resume version you should be bringing in hard copy.

 

Cold Calling

Here’s a harsh statistic: a full 85 per cent of jobs are filled via networking, and not through applying to job boards online (yikes). That means that the likelihood of getting a job through a site like Monster.ca isn’t necessarily the best way of getting employed.

While sites like LinkedIn create a place for you to start networking, there is another way to rise above the hundreds of applicants vying for online jobs. This is cold calling.

This can be a scary thing to do, but it’s also really good experience. Calling or emailing a prospective employer comes with all kinds of benefits. The most obvious is that you might end up with a job, since employers tend to appreciate the initiative it takes to call them up. It’s especially useful for smaller businesses that don’t have online job boards.

But even if you don’t get a job from it, your professional life still benefits.

For one thing, you start to get your name out there. This is huge for your employment future. When you become a recognizable name, it increases your chances of being hired down the road. An employer might remember you when an opening comes up in their company or in the company of one of their colleagues. Your network grows and so do your opportunities.

There’s a more immediate benefit to cold calling, too. The process of speaking to someone over the phone forces your communication skills to improve.

Communication skills are considered one of the most important skills across business. No matter which industry you’re entering, your ability to communicate will determine what opportunities come your way. There’s no better way to exercise and improve this skill than sitting down and calling up potential employers to see if they’re hiring.

And hey, you might even end up with the perfect job!

 

Expand Your Search

Algonquin College Co-op students get access to HireAC, which lists employers who are looking for co-op students. HireAC also has an employment side, for those looking for a summer job. This is a fantastic resource, but it shouldn’t be the only place you look for a job or placement.

If you’re willing and able to move around, why not expand your search nationally? The job market in cities with a large student population gets flooded and is highly competitive. If you’re willing to look at less central places, your chance of finding a job will increase. Plus, you might get to spend your summer somewhere really beautiful, like the Rocky Mountains or in the Maritimes.

Also be sure to check out job boards besides the big ones. Talentegg is a job board for Canadian students and recent grads, and the government has a student job board too. Make sure you don’t limit your options during your search.

Online Reputation

Employers are Googling you. This is the job hunt reality nowadays, so it’s really important that your social media presence is in good shape.

Want to really get freaked out? Go to Pipl.com and type in your name and location. Scary, right? And any potential employer can see that, too.

All your social media sites are visible, so make sure that what is public looks great. Get a LinkedIn page with your real name, so that when a potential employer Googles you, they see your best side. Delete and untag yourself in all those awkward high school photos on Facebook. Clean up your Twitter. The time you put into cleaning up your online life will pay off. If you project a professional reputation online, you will find professional opportunities.

 

Get Some Support

Are you an Algonquin College Co-op student? Contact your co-op coordinator for help with resume and cover letter writing, job hunting, and more. If you would like to learn more about the co-op program, please visit our website at https://www.algonquincollege.com/coop/, connect with us at coop@algonquincollege.com or call us at 613-727-4723 Ext.7623.


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