The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.
Job hunt
Capncrunch7
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So, I've been 'fortunate' enough that I never needed to have a job in the summer. I am a junior in college, and have never held an official job, although I have some less glorious experience like being an office lackey for the dad's company and some volunteer work back in high school.
Anyway, I am trying to gain a bit of independence here and work over the summer break. However, I am at a loss for how to begin. I've used Temp firm sites and gone around picking up applications for various retail jobs which always lead to list upon list of positions asking for 3-5 years of experience in specialized fields, which is quite a bit more than I have to offer.
My question is, what is the first step an inexperienced college fool such as myself has to make to find a job for the summer? I am in no way picky, but I swear, even the local In n Out Burger asks for 2 years customer-relations experience before they even consider hiring.
Thank you kindly
Anyway, I am trying to gain a bit of independence here and work over the summer break. However, I am at a loss for how to begin. I've used Temp firm sites and gone around picking up applications for various retail jobs which always lead to list upon list of positions asking for 3-5 years of experience in specialized fields, which is quite a bit more than I have to offer.
My question is, what is the first step an inexperienced college fool such as myself has to make to find a job for the summer? I am in no way picky, but I swear, even the local In n Out Burger asks for 2 years customer-relations experience before they even consider hiring.
Thank you kindly
XBLA: gogogadgetchris
Capncrunch7 on
0
Posts
Have you tried going through your university's career center, to get an internship in something you're getting a degree in?
3ds friend code: 2981-6032-4118
@Raslin, This is a pretty weird question, but, is it standard procedure to just walk in and ask the cash register operator if they are hiring / for an application? I've never been sure of the proper etiquette for that.
I'll say this: do not work for the sake of working. Do not waste your time at retail or at a burger joint. Do something worthwhile, something that will actually be useful and that you can put on your resume.
Speaking of resume, what does your resume look like?
Also, have you considered getting an internship?
Check out the career center at your school, and attend career fairs if there are any.
Ask your professors for leads. Ask your parents and their friends.
Another tip: Never use just one avenue when you're looking for jobs. Use multiple avenues; online job sites, mailing out resumes, career fairs, networking, phone even. The more you branch yourself out the more you increase your chances, and you're also less likely to "get stuck".
PM me if you want more tips.
My dad is a farmer, so I always had a job throwing hay but the year I decided to rebel I just went around to restaurants and asked if they needed anyone. Got two jobs washing dishes and waiting tables that summer.
If you're not adverse to doing anything physically straining, construction pays pretty well. Flag people get paid the most in that field. But there's the ever present danger of getting clipped by a drunk driver.
Seriously see if there's anything available for what you're studying in school. That'll help big time later on. Usually those kinds of jobs are hard to find, so construction and washing dishes might be your best bet. But hey, you're not picky.
1st job - Retail. I worked at a Bob's Stores, which is pretty localized to the Northeast US. For the first half a year I was strictly a register biscuit, and then I got "promoted" to customer service. The pay and hours here were pretty horrible, but I enjoy working with people and didn't mind the gig until my managers collectively turned against me for being too liberal with the store's exchange policy. I still put this on my resume for "customer service experience."
2nd job - Radio station internship which turned into a paid position. I worked on my high school's radio station for a couple of years, and through networking I landed an internship at a pretty successful FM station here on Long Island. After I kicked ass at pretty much everything they threw at me in the Production department, I got myself a paid job there which ended when I left for college. They still call me now and again to see if I'm home and willing to work the station for a night or two. This will look fantastic on my resume if I decide to go into a Journalism or Broadcasting field.
3rd job - Office Lackey/Quality Control. Basically made sure an electronics distributer office ran smoothly and took care of minor tasks as well as checked thousands of LCD panels for defects. Took this for the pay, not for improving my resume - but it doesn't look bad there at all.
4th job - Ground Crew for a skydiving outfit. This is what I've got lined up for summer work, so I haven't started yet. However, I'm very excited about it for a lot of reasons. If I don't wind up in Aviation for my primary career, I'd like to be a jump pilot on weekends, and therefore this will be great experience.
As others have suggested, check with your campus' student employment office. Hell, they'll probably be able to hook you up with a job on campus if you'd be into that. I plan on applying for a tutoring position next semester.
Depends what kind of job it is. Retail usually has a booth of some sort for that, but they'll know where anything like that is. Its quite standard procedure though.
3ds friend code: 2981-6032-4118
On campus work would be great, but most campus jobs require financial aid.
Your best bet is going to be an unpaid or lowpaid internship for the coming summer. This will get you some experience in the field you'd like to work in, and it's not uncommon for recent grads to get positions at places they've interned at. Since you know the ropes even a little bit, it's that extra bit of foot in the door.
If money *is* the issue, food service has to be the way to go. Most places won't let you start serving right off the bat, but if you're a good person you might get lucky. Standard procedure is just to walk into the place of business you'd like to work at and ask to speak with the manager about any upcoming openings. Don't be surprised if you can't get to the manager, but expect to at least get an application - if you don't get either, I'd stop in again or phone later on.
If you think you might enjoy something like that, and if your school has such positions open, then it might be a good thing to look into.
Games: CoD4, Halo 3