It is that time of year when post-secondary residences are emptying, and students are beginning their summer internships and jobs. If you haven’t found something yet, don’t give up! Even if summer job fairs and even internships have slowed down, there are still a few things you can do right now to improve your chances of landing a summer job.
1. Network Actively
Networking is one of the most effective ways to find job opportunities. Reach out to your professors, classmates, family, friends, and alumni from your school. Attend career fairs, industry events, and webinars. Use LinkedIn to connect with professionals in your field of interest. Let people know you are looking for a summer job; sometimes, opportunities come from unexpected places.
I found myself in this situation after my first year of university; I was so focused on surviving academically, I did not secure a summer position during the winter semester. When I moved home for the summer, I found myself jobless and, well, broke.
Fortunately, a friend’s father knew I was looking. When an admin assistant at his office took an unexpected leave, he suggested I was available for the summer. It worked out well, and the addition of that experience on my resume helped me obtain part-time and other summer jobs later.
2. Check Your School’s Employment Centre and Job Board
Your school’s employment centre is a valuable resources and is often under-utilized. They could have listings for research positions, campus jobs, internships, and other opportunities that may not be widely advertised. Talk to an employment specialist at your school; they can provide guidance and may have the inside track on positions that you would be a fit for. They can also help you with your resume and tailoring your applications for specific jobs. They are also there to provide tips on how to stand out.
And even if you aren’t close to campus, you can still find work through your school. I know of one student that worked all last summer from home, more than 3 hours from campus. Fortunately, the professor she ended up working with didn’t require her to stay on campus.
Remember to take a visit to your student employment centre before returning home this spring!
3. Connect with Recruiters and Staffing Agencies
Recruiters and staffing agencies can be instrumental in finding temporary or seasonal work. Reach out to local agencies and let them know you are available for summer employment. They often have access to a wide range of job opportunities and can match you with positions that fit your skills and interests.
I once worked at a temp agency where a second-year computer engineering student came to us in May, having not obtained work in his field for the summer. I was able to connect him with a temporary manual labor job that paid well to start. When that ended, we received an office opportunity that was more aligned to his skills and in his community! He was managing Excel spreadsheets and spent the rest of the summer there, amazing our clients with his macro magic!
Keeping an open mind can lead to unexpected and rewarding opportunities.
4. Freelance or Start a Side Project
Do you have an enterprising spirit and unique skills to offer? You might want to consider freelancing or starting a side project. Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer offer opportunities to work on short-term projects.
If social media and communications are more your area, you can also start a blog, create a YouTube channel, or develop an app. These activities can provide income, build your portfolio, and demonstrate your initiative and creativity to potential employers. Freelancing can also help you develop new skills and gain experience in areas you might not have considered before.
Having a personal project or social media portfolio can also be extremely valuable when you graduate and start your perm job search. Many companies, in tech and marketing for example, will differentiate early-career applicants based on their passion and personal investment in these types of projects.
5. Don’t Give Up on Job Boards
Opportunities may be fewer at this time of year, but there are always some companies that post later. Sometimes students will forfeit their summer jobs at the last moment for a different opportunity, or after a week or two when they realize it wasn’t what they were expecting. Those jobs could come back online. Set alerts on Google Jobs, LinkedIn, and specific job boards to notify you when new positions are posted. Staying vigilant can help you catch new opportunities as they arise. Persistence is key, and sometimes the perfect opportunity comes up when you least expect it.
Conclusion
Not having a summer job lined up yet can be stressful, but there are proactive steps you can take to improve your situation. It is not a joke that finding a job—Is a job! Networking, checking your school’s employment centre, connecting with recruiters, freelancing, and staying vigilant on job boards are all ways to make the most of your summer. Stay positive, keep applying, and use this time to grow professionally and personally.
