Summer’s coming up and many students are preparing for their futures by getting jobs over break. Some of those students, however, are unsure how to go about getting a job. If you are one of the students that is unsure, you’re in the right place.
First and foremost, you might be wondering, “where do I even find a job?” Well, there are tons of resources to find one! According to a survey sent out to students, many sources are available online such as Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and company websites. You could also look around your local area to find jobs near your home, ask friends and family for advice, or start your own business (lawn care, babysitting, etc.). Additionally, there are various summer camps that are looking for counselors/helpers.
In order to prepare for a summer job, you should start working on a lot of different things. Those things include preparing for interviews, creating your resume, getting more involved (either in school, locally, or both!), and managing your ability to be around people more often. This might sound like a lot, but don’t stress. Most places understand that, since you are a high schooler, you have little to no experience with having a job, so your resume doesn’t need to include tons of experience. When actually creating a resume, though, you can use a Google Doc. or Canva template to start writing. One student suggested watching YouTube tutorials on how to set up your resume, but remember to add your contact information, any extracurricular activities, and a short summary of what skills you have regarding the job you’re applying for.
Interviews are also important to take note of, but they are not as bad as you might be imagining. All you need to do to prepare for an interview is to wear professional clothing, be yourself, ask questions about the job, and take your time when answering the interviewer’s questions. Now, when it comes to getting more involved and being around people, many students suggest getting into community work (volunteering). There are various opportunities to volunteer, you just need to do some research and ask around. Some examples of where to volunteer are animal shelters, community centers, local churches (and other places of worship), and, of course, the YMCA.
Another thing to take note of is the actual application process. A lot of students that filled out the survey said that applying to a job is surprisingly easy. Some applications were filled out online, some filled out on paper, but that doesn’t matter. All you have to do is answer the questions on the application, list your qualifications, and wait for a response. Some students, however, went about the application process a little differently. One student sent in a video, a couple students emailed the manager of where they wanted to work, and another student was able to schedule an interview themselves.
All in all, though, getting a job as a high schooler is not as difficult as some might say. In the survey, students were asked to rate how difficult it was to get a job on a scale of one (extremely difficult) to ten (extremely easy), and the results show that most students (that actually answered the question) rated the difficulty an 8/10. So, when looking for a job, don’t stress out too much! Just remember that there’s no rush for getting a job and to be patient when waiting on the interviewer to give you a call.
