Aside from the extra income, summer jobs are an exciting opportunity to enhance your CV, learn extra skills, meet professional contacts, and see new places.
Whether you’re looking for a one-off gig or hoping that your summer job will lead to long-term work, you need to approach the job hunt with a clear strategy in mind.
In this post, we’ll explore ten effective job-hunting methods and give you some extra tips for landing your dream summer gig.
Types of summer jobs
The summer months bring opportunities for working at outdoor sports venues, camp sites, theme parks and attractions, and children’s holiday clubs—basically anything that’s likely to see higher visitor numbers over the summer months. The hospitality sector will also be hiring.
There may be more seasonal jobs available in coastal towns or large cities. If you fancy working abroad, you could consider teaching English in another country or work at Camp America. Of course, there’s no reason why you can’t apply for an office-based job in the summer.
Where to look for job opportunities
You might see a job ad in your local shop window, but there are plenty of other places to start a wider search.
-
Job boards: In the digital age, many companies post vacancies on online job boards. Applicants just have to enter keywords to see matching results, and you can filter the search to only display summer work. The platform will also email you automatically with jobs that match your criteria.
-
Company websites and social media: If you have a particular organisation or industry in mind, it’s worth checking out their websites and social media, as they may post summer job opportunities there.
-
Direct action: Even if there seems to be no current openings at your preferred company, you can still reach out and ask them to let you know about any opportunities. If you’d like to work for an employer in your local area, you could take your CV to their door in person.
-
Job fairs: These are less likely to offer summer jobs, but they’re a good opportunity to find out more about career options and get advice on what sort of work experience would be relevant. Colleges, universities, and companies often host job fairs. They’re often virtual, which is perfect if you want to connect with employers further afield.
10 effective job-hunting methods for that dream summer gig
Job-hunting can be time-consuming and overwhelming, so it’s best to have a framework for your search, application, and follow-up activities. Even if you’re only seeking summer work, you can use strategies similar to those used in applying for a permanent role.
1. Know what you want
Before you start, think carefully about your preferred job type. This will help you narrow down the hunt. For example, do you want to work full-time or part-time during summer or as a freelancer? Would you prefer to work in an office, outdoors, or from home?
Consider the types of company you’d be happiest to work for (large firms, start-ups, non-profits) and your industry preference. Then make a shortlist of jobs that meet your criteria.
2. Start the search early
Summer jobs can be in high demand, so don’t be late to the party and risk missing out on the one you really want. By doing your research and getting your application in early, you’re also more likely to land a job that lasts for the whole summer, not one that starts in July when it’s half over.
3. Polish up your CV
Your CV is a potential employer’s first impression of you, so you need to get it right. Make sure all your information is up-to-date, and double-check the spelling, grammar, and formatting. Create a template of your CV (and your cover letter) and then vary it for specific jobs. Even if you don’t have much experience, highlight any skills that are relevant to the role.
4. Harness the power of keywords
Many employers now use applicant tracking systems (ATS), which screen CVs by looking out for keywords and phrases that indicate suitability. Look in the job advert for keywords relating to the role you want, and add them to your CV. You could also look for frequently used words in other ads for similar jobs.
5. Build your online presence
LinkedIn is a great place to get yourself noticed, as 90% of recruiters use it to fill jobs. As well as crafting a standout bio, you can share content relating to your preferred industry and role. Build a network by commenting on other people’s posts and inviting them to discuss your own.
If you hope to work in a creative field, such as photography, content writing, or software design, consider setting up an online portfolio to show off examples of your work—even if it’s a college project or just something you do for fun.
6. Get help from friends
Make sure your friends and family know you’re seeking summer work and the type of job you’re hoping to land. They can keep an eye out for opportunities or pass your details on to any contacts they might have.
If you actually know someone who works at a company with a vacancy, that’s even better. Ask them to recommend you—lots of organisations accept and encourage referrals from existing staff, and it can increase your chances of getting the job.
7. Prepare for interview
Researching a company and its values before you even apply for a job will help you determine whether you’d be a good fit. This knowledge is also useful if you’re called for an interview—you can predict questions that might come up and prepare any questions you’d like to ask them.
You can find extra insights by reading comments on forums such as Reddit or Glassdoor, where people often share their experiences with different companies and might even mention what the interview was like.
8. Don’t forget to follow up
If you haven’t heard back from a company you applied to, follow up with a polite email asking about the status of your application. You can also follow up after an interview, thanking the interviewer for their time and saying that you look forward to hearing from them.
As long as you’re not pushy, this shows that you’re genuinely keen on the role and puts your name at the top of their minds. If the company eventually turns you down, ask for feedback— it’s useful for future applications.
9. Keep track of your applications
You may be applying for multiple summer jobs, so make sure you keep a record of who you contacted and when. This prevents you from applying for the same role twice and also gives you an idea of when to follow up.
Most importantly, jot down a few key details about each job. If and when an employer gets back to you, it’s not a good look if you can barely recall what you applied for!
10. Consider volunteering or internships
While it’s always good to earn extra money, volunteering can be ideal for summer work. It’s a chance to develop skills and put yourself top of mind if and when a paying job does open up. Volunteer experience also looks good on your CV.
Internships are also a great way to add to your CV and create professional connections—often with the possibility of being offered a full-time role later.
Extra tips for success
Here are some more ideas to help you stand out from other applicants:
-
The best way to make yourself more employable is to develop your skills or learn new ones. If you hope to work overseas or for an international firm, learn a language. If you’re hoping for an accounting role, knowing how to produce a financial report is useful.
-
Even if you don’t possess all the required skills or qualifications for a role, apply anyway. It’s about opportunities—you may not get the job this time, but the employer may remember you for the future.
-
When you’re searching job boards, include all the possible variations of a job title to increase your chances of getting results. But if you want to be specific, using quotation marks will help you find exact matches.
-
Before you send your CV, check it with an ATS checker like Jobscan or Enhancv. These will highlight any keywords or skills you’ve omitted, as well as check the tone of voice. Grammarly also offers a CV checking tool.
-
After applying for a role, you need to be ready for a call from the potential employer at any time. They may have an urgent vacancy to fill and get back to you earlier than expected, or they might get in touch after several months when you’d given up hope.
- Remember that potential employers may explore your online presence, so be mindful of this when posting on social media. Either avoid anything that might give a poor impression, or keep your accounts private!
Final thoughts
Don’t get overwhelmed when applying for a summer job—just follow our guide for effective job-hunting. For example, running a targeted search will help you to find opportunities faster. Tailoring your CV for each role will show that you’ve given the application some thought.
If you’ve done the groundwork, such as researching potential employers and preparing for interviews, you’ll be ready to show why you’re the best candidate for the job. And your dream summer gig might even lead to a long-term career.
