By Sylvie Tremblay
Summer is in full swing, but is your teen still looking for a summer job? The good news is that it’s not too late. Here are five tips to help him in his search.
If your teen is still looking for a summer job between trips to the beach and barbecues with friends, we have good news: the job outlook is good.
In 2017, the number of summer jobs for students jumped 4.1%, according to Statistics Canada. In addition, according to the May 2018 Labor Force Survey, youth employment was little changed compared to last year.
In other words, the job opportunities are there, and, with a strategic approach, a simple summer job could become a valuable asset for your teen’s future career.
Do you want to help him in his job search? Give him the following five tips.
- Play to your strengths
The ideal summer job should suit the job seeker’s personality and goals, says Lee Weisser, career counselor and life coach for Careers By Design in Toronto. We all know a little about who we are and what we are capable of. But, succeeding in listing our qualities and strengths and communicating them to a potential employer is another matter.
To prepare, start by asking yourself the following questions:
What are my main personality traits and my main strengths? How would you describe yourself? What makes you sure of yourself?
What are my skills, and what sets me apart from others? For example, your academic strengths, hobbies, sports, and other activities.
What more do I have to offer? A bubbly personality, the desire to work in a team, an excellent sense of organization, and an aptitude for problem-solving are all qualities sought after in the job market. Even if you don’t have a lot of experience, these are examples of the value you can bring to an employer.
Use your answers to write a short description of your skills, summarizing the type of person and the kind of job you are looking for. Then, during your job search, you can use this description to help you create opportunities.
- Target your searches
It can be tempting to send your resume all over the place, especially when the supply is limited. Still, it’s a counterproductive approach, says Shellie Deloyer, founder of Bright Futures Education & Career Coaching in Toronto.
Focus on quality rather than quantity. You will be able to define the type of job you want and the approach to adopt, write a more relevant cover letter and CV and perhaps even find a job corresponding to your field of interest.
- Show up in person
Going directly to a store manager to ask for a job application form will help you stand out.
“My father runs a hardware store, and he always hires students during the summer, says Ms. Deloyer. Unfortunately, this year, no student showed up to hand her their CV, even though there is a school on a few street corners!”
Showing up on the spot gives a store manager a chance to put a face to your resume, and a simple chat of a few minutes can demonstrate your communication skills and help you get the job.
