Tips on Getting a Summer Job

Summer is here, and for many of us that means it’s time to look for employment. Whether you’re taking a break or getting ahead this summer with Primavera Online High School, working is a great way to keep your brain active, build your professional skills and enjoy some extra cash.

If you’re looking for a job, here are some ideas and tips to help you in your search and with landing your dream summer position!

Summer Job Ideas

1. Seasonal Jobs
There are a lot of seasonal jobs you can look into, especially in Arizona. One of the most popular jobs is a lifeguard position at a public pool or water park. Cities like Tucson, Phoenix, Tempe and Chandler are hiring, and you can always check your local government site to see if they’re hiring as well.

If the lifeguard job isn’t appealing to you, there a lot of other options! Movie theaters, including Arizona’s Harkins Theatres, clothing stores and some fast food places all need extra help during the summer, and will be looking for some workers.

2. Sell Your Skill
For those of you with the entrepreneurial spirit, why not start your own summer job? People are always looking for babysitters, landscapers, photographers, dog walkers, house cleaners and several other jobs. If you are willing to work, chances are people are willing to pay!

3. Internships
While this is not the best way to earn cash, it is the best way to spice up your resume. If you have an idea of what you want to do after high school, find an internship in your field of interest. You will get to add something valuable to your resume, and will get real experience in that job so you can know if it’s really what you want to do. Not all organizations will list internship opportunities on their job boards, so don’t be afraid to reach out to the hiring manager directly to inquire about possibilities.

Three Tips for Getting a Job

1. Don’t Just Apply Online
Employers get so many applications online that your name can get lost in the sea of applicants. Show ambition by taking your application a step further. Find the manager’s email and personally send them your resume, or go to the facility and personally hand it to the manager. Giving your name a face helps tremendously.

Once you land that interview, check out these tips we presented at our College and Career Fair HERE to help you nail your interview.

2. Get a LinkedIn Profile
When it comes to getting a job, networking is everything. As a high schooler, you might be thinking you don’t have any connections. That is what LinkedIn is for! It is a professional networking site that helps you identify existing connections and make new ones. Set up your profile and add people you know, then from there, you can find people who know your friends and keep growing your network.

LinkedIn is also a great way to appear professional to employers. When they Google your name, it will pop up and certainly look a lot better than a Facebook page! Be sure to fill it out as much as you can and have a professional looking headshot, similar to our example LinkedIn profile picture of Peyton below.

3. Clean up Your Social Media
When an employer receives your application, oftentimes they will look you up on social media. That’s why it’s important to clean up your profiles so you can look professional. We have some great tips for you from a social media specialist who presented at our College and Career Fair. Watch the video below to see how you can vamp up your social media profile today.