While summer comes with time to yourself, lazy days and overall freedom, it can also be a perfect time to get work experience and make some extra cash. For students thinking about taking that next step, there are lots of things to consider. Knowing where and when to apply can make the job search less stressful and create far better outcomes. When I was looking for my job I wish I had known where to look and had something to make the search easier. Based on my experience, here are a few tips that can make the summer job search less overwhelming.
Jobs that are popular in high school cause competition to be high, especially when so many students apply at the same time. That’s why starting early is crucial. From personal experience, waiting until late June makes this process much harder as so many positions are already filled. Applying in the early spring gives students a fair chance at the position and allowed time to follow up about the application.
Many Staples students tend to gravitate towards the same kinds of summer jobs each year within Westport. Usually teens either lifeguard at Longshore or work retail at local stores. These jobs seem like more of a default for most highschoolers as they are fun and flexible with students’ schedules and hire students under 16 unlike most jobs. However, if you don’t apply early or have the experience to have these jobs it can make it infinitely harder. Reaching out to more niche places can open up opportunities students might not have thought about.
Staples students also have access to resources they might not know about that can make the job search easier. On the Westport Youth Commission website, one can find a job bank for students. It includes local businesses and different seasonal job opportunities. When I was searching for my job, I wished there had been an easy way to see who was hiring and where to apply. Now students can take advantage of this source.
In addition to submitting job applications early, taking initiative can help students stand out. Introducing yourself in person, asking if a business is hiring and following up after the initial application shows confidence and responsibility, both qualities which employers value. Speaking up often opens doors that wouldn’t otherwise be available. Simply going into town and stopping into some of your favorite stores to see if they are hiring can be a quick and easy way to find a summer job. It also gives you a chance to make a personal connection with managers, employees or whoever is hiring.
For Staples students, summer jobs can offer more than just a paycheck. They provide real world experience, build confidence and help students prepare for the future. By knowing where to look, using school resources and starting the process early, students can turn the summer job search into a more valuable experience.
