When Should College Students Apply For Summer Jobs?
If you are a college student you might be wondering when is the best time to apply for summer jobs? Whether you are hoping to land an exclusive internship in order to gain professional experience, these summer jobs can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months so it is better to start the process sooner rather than later.
April
- Determine the relevant type of job that you are looking for by developing a relevant list of criteria including;
- Where you want to get a job,
- How much money you would like to make,
- Key skills needed for the job or industry,
- Areas of interest and / or organizations to explore.
- Assessing your current skill set by yourself or with a career counselor in order to determine which key skills an employer might require.
- Develop a basic resume and cover letter. Make sure to update your LinkedIn profile as well.
- Begin looking for specific job opportunities;
- Job fairs or college career fairs on campus,
- Friends, family members, relatives, professors and others who can direct you toward job possibilities,
- City-specific resources.
- Start applying and following the employer directions.
- Ask teachers, previous coworkers and supervisors who know you if they can serve as references. Have each individual write you a one-page letter of recommendation that you can give to prospective employers.
- Follow up with companies that you have applied to. Make sure your materials have been received and that each company has everything they need to consider you for the position.
- Schedule interviews with companies of interest as appropriate.
- Start researching available housing options for summer if necessary.
May
- Practice answering job interview related questions with a friend or career counselor at your school. Make sure to research companies and jobs before you go on any interview.
- Finalize summer living arrangements.
- Schedule job interviews in a timely manner.
- Go on job interviews and follow up with thank-you notes afterwards.
June
- Show up for your first day on time and be prepared for anything!
- Communicate with your new supervisor about the skills that you would like to further acquire and develop.
- Go above and beyond to make a good, lasting impression on your supervisor and colleagues.