With less than a month until summer break, finding a part-time
or full-time job might seem more impossible than finding a
significant other.
But all is not lost; it is possible to get a summer job even now
““ providing unemployed students know how to go about it.
Even if it is just a seasonal job, students should apply to jobs
that fit their personality and lifestyle. Early on, students
should ask themselves questions about their own expected income,
availability for the summer, living locale and situation and what
they expect to learn from the job.
Without this bit of soul- searching, students might run the
mistake of turning in every possible application they can get their
hands on.
Applying to too many places may lead to piles of paperwork and
wasting time that could have been clocked in. The persistent
and focused applicant is more likely to get the position than the
applicant turning in applications right and left. Remember
that only one of these applications will result in a
paycheck.Â
After searching inside, students should search outside for
places that are hiring.
Al Aubin, the director of the UCLA Career Center, said
restaurants and retail shops, especially the larger ones, will be
hiring. Larger employers are often looking for people to
cover the full-time staff going on vacation.
For students who consider walking too much of a chore, there are
several reputable job search Web sites that students can apply to
from the comfort of their homes.
The Career Center’s BruinView also has thousands of
employers who post summer job openings, Aubin said.
Relatives, family friends and professors can also be good job
resources and connections. Not only can students do some
belated catching up with relatives, they can also come away with
good contacts.
Job hunting may seem like finding a needle in the haystack, but
with a few tools, the task could be much less daunting. With a
magnetic resume and attractive personality, finding that summer job
might not be so strenuous.
With the aid of Web sites such as Monster.com, resume writing
can be done in one night. Their tutorials, samples and tips
can guide even the newest of resume writers.
In addition, the UCLA Career Center Web site offers all its
tutorials and workshops online, so students can learn about how to
get a job without coming to the Career Center.
Although some employers do not require resumes with the
application, resumes might just be the thing to set one applicant
apart from the rest of the pool.
“They need to promote themselves as people not just with
an academic background, but also with interests in intramural
sports, activities and student groups,” Aubin said.
Most students commit the fatal error of ending the job hunt once
applications are submitted. It is essential for applicants to be
persistent in asking to be introduced or speak to the
managers. Dialogue between the applicant and the employer will
help establish a connection and attach the student’s face to
the application. Especially for a seasonal job where there is
minimal training and usually a faster hiring process, applicants
should call prospective employers to ask for an interview every few
days.
Interviews can make or break a student’s efforts. For all
the nervous Bruins who cannot remember interviews without sweaty
palms and blank-outs, the UCLA Career Center offers mock
interviews, interview workshops and online tutorials.
By helping applicants realize what specific employers are
looking for when hiring, the Center can help students do well in
interviews. For example, because most seasonal employers are
from retail and restaurants who are looking for applicants with
customer service skills, applicants need to interview confidently
and enthusiastically.
With the help of resources such as family friends, Web sites and
the UCLA Career Center, snagging the perfect summer job will be a
lot easier once students put down the newspaper and start
looking.
Now about a significant other …
E-mail Chen at echen@media.ucla.edu if you’re putting
down the paper to look for a summer job.