Summer Jobs Information : Career Services : Texas State University

Want an Excellent Summer Job?

Great! Review these three questions and follow the suggestions to help you get started.

Q. What Can a Summer Job Do?

Puts cash in your bank account.
Builds your skills for future employment.
Provides interview experience for a permanent position after graduation.
Gives you a clear idea of what you do or don’t want to do for a living.
Gives you career-related experience.
Builds your resume.
Develops work and leadership skills transferable to your chosen career.
Expands your network for possible internship contacts.

Q. When Should I Begin Looking for a Summer Job?

EARLY! Start brainstorming and networking over Winter Break. Attend the Summer Job Fair in February and step up your search at Spring Break.
Create a list of networking connections to get job leads (speak to counselors in Career Services, family members, professors, advisors, alumni and friends).
Follow up on your networking contacts. Use Spring Break to develop a list of organizations to submit an application/resume.
Be sure to check on the application process and make a list of deadlines.

Q. What Can You Do To Improve Your Chances Of Being Employed?

Search for a variety of positions.
Ask parents and relatives in the business community for suggestions.
Keep in mind that some summer jobs require you to apply in person.
Be persistent and stay committed to the search. Make it a priority.
Always follow up on the materials you send. If you are really interested in an organization and do not receive a response to your inquiry, e-mail, call or write again.
Don’t narrow your range to just a few employers.
Be an entrepreneur and consider creating your own summer job, such as house sitter, animal sitter, dog walker, lawn care/gardener, personal assistant, home repair person, etc.
Stop by the local employment commission to see what help they can provide in your community.
Consider doing volunteer work while searching for a paying summer job.

Formula for Success

Set your priorities. Determine what you are looking for in a summer job.
While on the job, be eager to take the initiative and be the person who is willing to go the “extra mile.”
Take a seemingly ordinary job and make a difference; find a way to hone your professional skills.
A summer job is your opportunity to test your skills and perhaps work toward meeting your career goal.
Make the most out of your summer job by developing skills and gaining experience that will be valuable to you in the future.
Evaluate your needs. The type of job available to you depends to some extent upon your qualifications, access to transportation, ability to relocate and financial needs.
Think about the skills that you have to offer to an employer. Do you learn quickly? Are you a good communicator and get along well with others? Can you speak a second language? Do you have any transferable skills to offer from previous jobs? Are you dependable and responsible?
Consider personal traits that you possess: analytical, organized, detail-oriented, good with numbers.
Be confident and show an interest in the position.
Remember, it’s never too early to think about summer employment. Keep in mind you may need to apply six months in advance, i.e. National Parks.

Suggested Search Strategies to Improve Your Chances of Getting a Summer Job

A. Develop a goal statement for your summer job search by asking yourself these questions:

What do you want to do?
What skills do you have to offer a prospective employer?
What kind of work environment do you prefer? Do you want to work inside or outside?
Where do you want to live? Identify the geographic location(s) of the job.
What type of employer do you want to target?

B. Develop a resource list of prospective employers

Set-up a profile in the Jobs4Cats database on the Career Services website. View the summer job postings.
Attend the Summer Job Fair in February and other job fairs at Texas State during the fall and spring semesters.
Review positions in the classified section of The University Star and local or hometown newspapers.
Browse organization websites and use the search engines listed on the Career Services website under “Recommended Internet Resources.”
Check with local, city, county and state government agencies.
Examine summer job books and directories in the Career Services Resource Library.
Contact employment or temporary agencies.
Check with members of clubs and professional organizations.
Read professional trade journals and association newsletters.
Pay attention to flyers/posters on bulletin boards.

C. Gather information about your prospective employers.

Do you know anyone who works there? If so, obtain their name and contact them to get information about the company.
Research what you want to know about each organization.
Research company overviews on their websites.
Use other search engines such as Hoovers.com or Vault.com to find out more about prospective organizations.
Check with Career Services or your local Chamber of Commerce for Business Journals.
Target organizations and develop a realistic timetable to send cover letters, resumes and applications to prospective employers.
Keep track of correspondence/e-mails sent to employers.

D. Develop a great resume with assistance from Career Services. If you already

have a resume, update it with any new information to make sure it is concise.

Resume tips:

Keep it simple. Make it only one page!
Include campus and permanent addresses, telephone numbers (cell, home, work), and e-mail address.
List your education, honors, activities, special skills, talents and experience.
Don’t forget to include anything that sets you apart from the competition.
Create a list of references of people who know you and your capabilities and ask for permission to use their name. (Include: name, title, address, telephone number and e-mail address).
The list should consist of a minimum of three references and be separate from the resume. Professors, supervisors and co-workers make good references.

E. Completing applications

Be prepared to complete an application form.
Read the instructions carefully.
If some questions do not relate to your background, write NA (not applicable) in the space.
List job experience from most recent job to oldest along with a brief job description of work performed. Include name of your supervisor/title, organization name, address and phone number.
If you are faxing or mailing an application form to an employer, always send it with a cover letter along with a copy of your resume.
The cover letter should be professionally written. Make it brief, concise and positive to convey that you are a good fit for the position. You can find more information on writing a cover letter or resume in the Career Services Job Search Manual.

F. Practice your interviewing skills. Suggestions include:

Schedule a mock interview in Career Services.
Present a neat appearance and a positive attitude.
Know what kind of work you want to do, but express a willingness to do other jobs.
The interview is your best chance to distinguish yourself from the other applicants.
Discuss your skills in relationship to the job for which you applied.
Relate your academic background and experience to the job.
Have an idea what the hourly wage might be. Career Services can help answer this question.
Follow up the interview with a thank you note. Be sure to reiterate your interest in the position and emphasize your qualifications for the position.
Frequently assess your progress. If necessary, alter your strategy to produce more effective results.

A sample list of suggested summer job sites:

• *Theme and Amusement Parks

• *National and State Parks

• *City Park and Recreation Departments

• *Camps (Types of camps: single sex, co-ed, day camps or overnight, athletic camps, camps for physically or mentally disabled, church or religious sect camps, and wilderness camps)

• *Hotels, Resorts and Spas

• *Dude Ranches and Country Clubs

• *Local Recreation Centers

• Companies with service related positions such as Retailers and Call Centers

• Federal Government summer job program

• Market Research Firms

• Employment and Temporary Agencies

• Non-Profit Agencies

• Museums, Libraries and Theatres

• Health Fields (hospitals, clinics, labs, doctor’s offices, etc.)

• Restaurants and other Food Industry employers

• Service Providers (Supermarkets, Courier/Delivery Services, and Daycare Agencies)