Summer. While that word may bring to mind the chanting of the word summer that comes shortly before the song “What Time Is It?” in High School Musical, for most of us, ‘Summer’ means working. Many of us face pressure to get a summer job, in order to help get ourselves through school, or maybe just to have a little spending money to do fun summer activities with our friends. Getting a summer job is easier said than done, but here are a couple of tips and tricks to help you land one.

• Start early. Spend a couple hours each week starting in the spring semester researching job openings in your area and what type of job you think you’d be most successful doing. Better yet, take a quiz. Fast food isn’t for everybody, and who wants to get stuck at a job they absolutely can’t stand? Not me. Starting early is also important since good jobs get taken fast. The sooner you can secure a position, the better.

• Polish up your resume. Universities often have work-shops on resume building and interview skills, use this as an opportunity to make yourself a better job candidate. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

• Tweak your wardrobe. Part of an interview is looking the part for the job. You don’t have to break the bank to look professional, a blazer is an invaluable piece you won’t regret investing in. Be sure to not wear any garment with holes or stains, and definitely leave your sneakers and super tight clothes at home. First impressions make all the difference.

• Brush up on interview skills. Practice makes perfect. You can even practice with a friend. Chances are you know someone who has interviewed someone else before, they’d probably be happy to help you hone your skills.

• Apply, apply, apply. The more interviews you get, the more likely you are to land a job. When you have an interview, dress professionally and be early, if not on time.

The job hunt is never easy, but hopefully these tips and tricks will help you be on your way.