Getting hired after semester’s end

Photo by Tiffany Blaise

Photo by Tiffany Blaise

With summer just around the corner (yay!) you are probably thinking of taking it nice and easy, relaxing by the pool, basking in the sun and just wasting the days away in a wonderful, lazy bliss. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it? But who is going to pay for the gas you use up while cruising with your windows down? Or those summer nights out? And certainly, someone has to pay for that new short-short and bikini filled wardrobe.

Leanne Ashworth, the coordinator at Concordia’s Off Campus Housing and Job Bank, recommends a strong C.V. and cover letter when applying for jobs. “Career placement also offers free help when making resumés, so students can always use them as a resource,” said Ashworth. If you are searching for your first job, Ashworth suggests putting any volunteer experience on your resumé, and most importantly, don’t give up your job search after one try.

Here are some hints on how to land the perfect summer job, so you can spend a little and enjoy a lot, this summer.

 

Retail

Working in retail makes for a great summer job. You are likely to get a good discount, ranging from 10 to 75 per cent on the items in the store, so be sure to pick a boutique you love. Hours are usually flexible, so you will not need to work everyday in order to make some good money. The only down side is that you will probably start at minimum wage. Andrea Romero, a marketing student at John Molson School of Business, was part of the management team at Miss Sixty. “What we would look for when hiring is basically someone who is most importantly social, not afraid to approach people, hard working, responsible and reliable,” said Romero. She also added that being able to work in a team is a bonus, too. If you are not into working with fashion and accessories, there are other retail opportunities like Apple or David’s Tea that do not involve clothes.

 

Restaurants

Although the hours are long and you’re running around like a chicken with your head cut off, nothing beats working in a restaurant. Jonathan De Sua, a former Concordia student, has been working at the same restaurant for several years. “Tips are really the reason why I stay in this business. It is really good, especially on weekends and even more so in the summertime,” he said. “It is the perfect summer job because you are always on the move so the hours go by pretty fast and you make a nice paycheck at the end of it all.”

If sit down restaurants are not really your thing, you can always try a fast food joint. Many Tim Hortons are open 24 hours a day and are constantly looking for new people and night staff. Overnight shifts are the hardest gaps to fill, so if you are a night owl, this may be the perfect position for you.

 

Internships

Internships are often unpaid, but they can offer you amazing knowledge in the field you are pursing. They are a great way to get hands on experience and they look incredible on your C.V. If you are going into your second year of studies, an internship this summer can make you the perfect candidate when you graduate.

 

Summer camp

If you are hands on, try a summer camp. JMSB student Theresa Lucia says its one of the best jobs you could ever have. “You’re always playing games and sports, and getting to go on field trips, allowing you to relive your childhood. The kids look to you as a role model, which gives you a strong sense of responsibility and bond with the kids,” she said. Theresa adds that they look mainly for dynamic and creative candidates, since you need to constantly be on your toes when working with children. Patience, structure, maturity and organization are all vital as well. Plus there is a lot of variety in summer camps, so pick one that is related to something you enjoy, such as soccer or art.

 

Other

Office jobs like secretarial work and bank-related jobs are other options for summer employment. If you are not interested in sitting behind a desk, grocery stores, pharmacies and video stores attract young employees and can be another viable option.

As with any job, show interest and be persistent. If they don’t call you, you call them. Start browsing right away and apply to any place that interests you. And if all else fails, you can always resort to lying by the pool with a drink in hand, that doesn’t sound too shabby either.

 

Resources

 

– Kijiji and Craigslist both have part time and student job posting sections which are great year round. The postings span through a variety of job options, so selection should not be a problem.

– Concordia’s website offers jobs on campus, simply type the term “student jobs” in the search box.

– YES Montreal is a non-profit organization that delivers an English language job search and related services.

– Concordia’s Off Campus Housing and Job Bank (www.hojo.csu.qc.ca) is another great resource, located in the Hall building at H-260. They have an online job bank for students at www.classifieds.csu.qc.ca.

– www.emploietudiant.qc.ca is a Quebec based website for employers looking for student workers.

– Go to the student section of www.jobs-emplois.gc.ca to learn about the Federal Student Work Experience Program for government related job opportunities.

 

Comments are closed.

Related Posts