Finding a job today is much different than it was a decade ago. People used to say that having a high school diploma could secure you a decent job right out of school. Unfortunately, that's just not the case anymore. With attendance records at an all-time high at universities and colleges around the nation, current college students find themselves competing with one another for minimum-wage jobs.
When I first got home for the summer, I figured I had it made. I was coming home to San Diego after a long school year in Boston and I figured I'd submit a job application, go to an interview or two, and get employed immediately. Everyone knows that college students are hard workers that are willing to put in time and effort, so who wouldn't want to hire a hardworking young adult? What I found is the term 'seasonal employee' tends to throw a lot of employers off. Most job applications are submitted in the summer season, and you're competing with other students that attend schools across the country. I probably sent in at least five applications before I even was called in for an interview for a job for which I had no real experience. So the problem that I find is this: as a student your primary job is to study and by doing so you lack the necessary field experience that many employers expect to see on a resume.
So here are some tips I wish I knew while applying for jobs my first summer of college.
1. Job applications are a numbers game
The more applications you send out, the more likely it is that you will hear back from someone. Don't sit around waiting for people to respond, continue to work on filling out job applications in the meantime. It's kind of like applying to college. Most people don't apply to a single college and wait to hear back from the admissions office before starting their application to the next school. Continue to apply for multiple jobs simultaneously for better odds. I must've sent out over five job applications this summer before I heard back from a potential employer, but had I waited to hear back from my first application, I would've never been hired.
2. Try to send out your job applications before the summer rush
The sooner you can submit applications, the better. If you manage to beat other applicants to the punch, you'll be prioritized above other, later candidates. Most students on the semester system get out of school mid-May, which also means that many seasonal jobs receive the most applications at around that time, but you don't have to wait for summer vacation to begin submitting job applications. You can send in applications before summer break which may give you the upper hand in the employee selection process. It will also help show employers that you are motivated, determined and ready to work.
3. Don't get discouraged
We've all been here, despite the fact that many choose to not talk about their struggles. Just continue to keep a positive attitude and stay optimistic. Believe it or not, optimism is transparent and will be recognized in your applications. It may seem easier to throw in the towel and call it quits, but three weeks into summer, you'll find yourself bored while all of your friends are at work, and you'll have no money to participate in any of their summer activities.
4. Versatility is important
Many people limit themselves by applying for the exact jobs that they want to do. By going out of your comfort zone, however, you options will be much more opportune. And who knows, you may find some new passion along the way that you may not have otherwise been introduced to. At the beginning of summer, I found myself looking for open barista positions at local coffee shops, but as soon as I expanded my horizons and applied for previously unexplored positions, I found myself running food to customers while also obtaining barista knowledge and experience.
5. Hard work will ultimately and inevitably pay off
Even though it may take some time, if you're a hard worker, you will be hired. Just remain patient and things will pay off. There were many times along the way where I could've walked away and found myself dreading summer, counting down the days until I would arrive back in Boston. I'm so beyond glad that I didn't. By taking the more difficult and persevering path, I met so many wonderful and encouraging friends and mentors that helped make my journey long worth the wait. You may not get a job right away, but if you stick with it, you're sure to find something you love along the way.
