Summer job
Tuesday 9 June 2009
Here’s some information you should know about how to get a summer job.
What’s in it for me?
Getting a summer job is cool and isn’t as bad as it sounds. For one thing, you’ll earn your own cash and get to build up skills for the future. It will also help you to be more independent and you won’t have to ask your folks for money.
Think of the satisfaction of spending or saving your own hard earned cash!
What now?
Before jumping ahead, you might want to think about what kind of job you want and how much time you can devote to it. Otherwise, you might end up wasting your own time and your future employer’s too.
Consider how far you want to travel. Getting to work on time is important but if you live too far away you may find yourself struggling. It’s also important to think about how much it will cost to get there and whether the pay will be enough to cover travel expenses.
Am I allowed to work?
Depending on your age, there are laws that restrict how long you can work:-
- 14 years old can only work up to five hours on Saturdays, and can’t work more than two hours on a weekday or Sunday.
- 15-16 year olds can only work for up to eight hours on Saturdays or during school holidays .
The National Minimum Wage is the minimum amount that a person can earn per hour of work. The National Minimum Wage changes every year and the rate depends on how old you are. Make sure you're getting paid enough.
Where can I get a job?
Future career
Do you already know the kind of work you'd like to do in the future or have some idea of the industry you'd like to work in? It might be worth looking for related work so that you can start to build useful skills.
You could try to contact different companies to find out whether they are looking for any work experience candidates. These slots are competitive though, so it's best to look early.
Educational services
Many colleges and universities have departments that are dedicated to finding you a job. They could even help you out with your CV too.
They'll either have self service machines available so you can job search on your own, or you might have to leave your details with them and they’ll get back to you if anything comes up.
Family help
Sometimes finding a summer job isn’t as hard as it seems, and one could be right under your nose. Speak to your family and ask whether they need any jobs doing – someone’s bound to need a babysitter, dog walker or car washer.
It might not be the most glamorous job, but at least it pays! Plus you won’t need to worry about perfecting your CV as your family already knows what you’re like.
Recruitment agencies
These types of agencies help you find the right type of job, and many have temporary vacancies available that’ll fit in to your summer perfectly.
They take your details and your CV, and may even conduct a few tests to find out about your skills. Then they’ll match you with a job vacancy they have on their system.
Local businesses
Local cafes, restaurants and supermarkets are always looking for staff to fill their floors. You'll probably be on your feet a lot, doing tasks like stocking shelves and cleaning, but you'll be so busy that your shift will fly by.
CV saver
CV stands for Curriculum Vitae, and it’s an important part of getting any type of job. It lists all your qualifications, previous educational experience and also gives an employer a glimpse into your personality.
It’s not always easy to put one together, especially when you don’t have a lot of experience. Read n2k's CV maker article to perfect your own. Or for more advice, visit ConnexionsDirect.
