Three months and counting. I don’t know about you but I can’t wait for that day when I walk out of my last exam of the year and begin my summer holidays. I’m looking forward to sleeping in, going to the beach and, of course, no more homework. On the other hand, I’m headed to university next year, and my parents definitely aren’t paying for the whole thing. Therefore, I need a summer job. Finding a job for the summer isn’t any simple task, particularly in the present economic times where any kind of job is a bit harder to come by. With this in mind I’ve compiled a few tips and tricks for getting the summer job that you won’t regret by August.

Step 1: The Sales Pitch

The best place to start when looking for a job is to make a resume and cover letter. Almost every employer will ask you for a resume, and if they don’t, you look REALLY good if you have one. As for a cover letter, it’s not usually necessary, but it adds a touch of professionalism with a hint of ‘look at me I know what I’m doing!’ There are plenty of websites you can go to for advice on writing a resume and cover letter, but the main idea is to be concise and positive. No one wants to hire a downer.

Step 2: The Game Plan

Make a list of the places where you could only dream of working, places where you would like to work, places where you wouldn’t mind working, and the places where you would only work if you absolutely had to. You might be in a situation where you have to get a job whether it’s one you enjoy or not. Make a ‘hired by’ deadline for the first few categories, and if you don’t have a job by that date, then you might need to force yourself to apply to a job on the 'absolutely had to' list. You might have to work somewhere you hate - for the money - but it would be really awesome if you got paid for doing something you loved.

Step 3: The Application

Remember that list I mentioned? Well don’t throw it away. While you’re handing out your resume to different businesses (yes, you should be applying to several places at the same time, for efficiency’s sake) use the list to keep track of where and when you’ve applied. It’s best if you can talk to a manager or a supervisor when you apply, that way they’ve already met you and you know for sure that they have your resume. Make a note of the manager’s name and contact information on the list; you want to know as much as possible about the place you’re applying to in order to show your interest.  Don't forget to wear appropriate clothing.  Handing out resumes and speaking with managers is actually like your first interview.  This is your chance to make a good impression!


Step 4: Never give up, never surrender!

When I say you should nag your soon-to-be employer, I don’t mean it literally. You do, however, want to follow up your application with a phone call or quick visit. This shows your enthusiasm for the job and that you are a ‘go-getter’. If they don’t have an answer for you right away, give it some time, and then call them again to remind them you’re still alive, and still looking for a job. Calling once a week is appropriate, while calling once a day is not.

Step 5: The Rest

While you may deserve a bit of a nap after all this effort, I am actually referring to the rest of the hiring process. Every employer does it differently, so whether you are hired on the spot, or you go through seven interviews and a training exam, remember to stay positive and eager.

The good thing about summer job-hunting is that there are so many more choices, particularly ones for teenagers, (an obvious one might be camp counseling).

Some specific places to check out would be the YMCA, University of Waterloo (they run summer camps), local art galleries, or even through the government (search: Ontario Summer Student Hiring.)

My last bit of advice: get to it! It can take anywhere from two hours to two months to get hired. Some people start summer job-hunting as early as January, so don’t wait until June lest you end up babysitting your siblings for two months.