Seeking A Summer Job?
A robust economy, surging stock market, and increasing corporate profits spell good news for the hundreds of Kentucky college and high school students starting their search for a summer job.
Demand from consulting firms, banks, government agencies, and educational organizations has been particularly strong, says Mary Schilling, director of the career center at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. The job market for graduating seniors has been steadily improving for several years and is good this year, she says.
Job search tips
But it’s not too early for seniors, and others, to begin their summer job search. Career coaches and advisors suggest that students be aggressive in their job hunt, and say they should expand their contact networks. Talk to friends, parents, and parents’ friends. Be specific so that people know exactly what you want: what type of company and what type of position.
Be flexible in your search, says Brad Karsh, president of JobBound, a Chicago career-counseling service. Consider working for a smaller company or for less money, he says in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. Don’t obsess about finding the perfect job, Karsh says. “Your first job is just that—your first job. It’s not your entire career. It’s not a lifetime commitment.”
Many companies don’t hire far in advance like investment banks and accounting firms typically do. Employers in industries such as advertising, public relations, publishing, and laboratory science tend to hire close to start dates.
Don’t forget to check in with local retailers, such as Wal-Mart, where the turnover is large and positions open up quickly.
Many companies will want you to submit a résumé before you get an interview, so now is a good time to work on it. Recruiters say that résumés should be concise, detailed, and relevant to the job you seek. Don’t send a CD or DVD unless you are applying for a video or graphic arts job.
“Any time you send a résumé, that’s the first impression a client receives from you,” says Trish Stueckradt, senior recruiter with Executive Resources in Des Moines, Iowa. It can also foreshadow what the quality of your work will look like, should you get hired.
ONLINE JOB SEEKING
www.careerbuilder.com—choose Kentucky to see hundreds of positions, by city or job category
www.studentjobs.gov—lists jobs with the federal government for students
www.teens4hire.org—geared toward teen job seekers in retail and hospitality
www.snagajob.com—lists hourly jobs at employers like Chuck E. Cheese’s
www.coolworks.com—posts seasonal jobs at places like ranches and parks
KEYWORD EXCLUSIVE: RESUME ESSENTIALS
For tips on preparing your résumé, click here: résumé
