Summer jobs- not only for students
July 11, 2012|employees, Employers, How to find a job| No comments yet
The summer job market has long been seen as the purview of teenagers in high school and college students home until the fall. These temporary positions shouldn’t be overlooked by the workforce at large. Seasonal work is a great way to test the waters of a new career path or to earn extra money for vacations, holidays, or big purchases.
Summer jobs are an easy way to try out something new without making a long-term commitment. They’re great for pursuing hobbies and getting paid at the same time. House painting, lawn care, and lifeguard duties are positions that commonly boom in openings in the summer. These jobs can also fill in gaps on a resume and while an unemployed worker searches for a permanent position. If a job does not work out, there is no harm in leaving at the end of the season.
A summer job can be a great way to explore a new field altogether. Someone who has been interested in opening a coffee shop can get a feel for the food service business by staffing an ice cream stand for the summer. The budding entrepreneur can sell t-shirts at art fairs all summer and decide whether to take the leap into full-time business. There is little risk and potential for big rewards.
Summer vacation budgets can also be boosted with a second, seasonal job. Trimming hedges and mowing lawns in June and July can make a luxurious August getaway a reality for cash-strapped families. The burden of childcare costs over the summer can also be alleviated with the help of a second paycheck. No one will get rich working summer jobs, but any amount of extra cash can make life easier.
The casual nature of summer work does not mean the application process can be taken lightly. All resumes should be carefully edited to present the applicant in the most flattering light. Highlighting relevant past duties and positions can distinguish the experienced worker from the teenage novice. Applicants should read job postings closely and show how their specific skills match up with the employer’s needs. Should a worker need to leave a position, it is also important to formally give notice as one would in any other workplace.
Summer jobs aren’t only for paying tuition and buying back-to-school wardrobes. All workers can take advantage of these sunny prospects for new perspectives and extra income. Don’t let summer slip away this year. Life could be heading in a bright new direction come fall.
