You’ve worked hard throughout the academic year, and let’s face it, you’ve also expended lots of energy on your social life as well. That’s all part of the University journey, but when it comes to summer you’ll probably just want to relax and recharge your batteries. You should certainly take time out to do things that you really want to do during the summer break, whether that means going somewhere warm on holiday or checking out your favourite festivals. Unfortunately, all this costs money, which is why many students find that they have to take a job of some kind during the summer. That doesn’t have to be as bad as it sounds, for when you find the right job working alongside the right people, it can be a pleasure rather than a chore.

The First Step to Landing Your Dream Summer Job

Competition for vacancies is fierce, especially during the summer when returning students enter the job market, so you have to stand out from the crowd. There are two keys to this: having a positive attitude and a killer CV. Your curriculum vitae is the first chance you get to showcase your talents to potential employers, so you need to give it careful attention. Downloading a professional CV template from a specialist website can make a huge difference, as it helps combat the common problems that employers are faced with every day: CVs that are too brief and uninformative or that are too long and dull to read. Always remember that your CV should be professional in tone as well, so keep the jokes to one side until you’ve landed a job.

Are Zero Hours Jobs Right for You?

The job market has changed dramatically in the last decade, and one of the most obvious signs of this is the proliferation of zero hour jobs. Whilst these are far from ideal for those seeking long term security, they can provide a perfect opportunity for students who are only looking to work for one or two months before returning to university. You’ll typically find zero hours opportunities in areas such as bar work or the catering and hospitality industry, and these can be an ideal way to gain all important extra funds during the summer period. Before accepting such a job, you should be clear what your contract stipulates, and how much work you’re really likely to get out of it. Remember too that the flexibility demanded by many employers is likely to impact upon your own social plans for the summer, so you have to trade this off against the wage you’ll be receiving.

What Are the Most Popular Student Jobs?

Looking at which jobs most students do in the winter can help you find an area that could be perfect for you to move into. Bar work is by far the most commonly held student job, and it can be easy to move into this line of work, especially if you’ve already gained experience in a student union bar or at a bar near your place of study. Working in restaurants and hotels can also be a good choice, as they often require lots of extra staff during the busy summer months. Retail work is also a potentially fruitful area to consider, although many high street retailers are feeling the pinch because of the impending Brexit, others are still looking for hard working, reliable staff. It’s worth applying speculatively for such positions by sending your high-quality CV along with a polite but positive letter of enquiry.

Find a Job That You’re Passionate About

It’s a fact that most students looking for a summer job gravitate towards bar work, retail, hospitality and catering, but there’s nothing to stop you being a little more ambitious in your job search. It can be easier to land a job in an area that you’re passionate about, as this passion will endear you to a potential employer. For example, if you’re an animal lover you could apply for a temporary job at a stables or animal sanctuary, whereas if you dream of working in broadcasting one day, you might favour a job at your local radio station. To have a chance of gaining such a job, you’ll need to be able to convince an employer of your desire to work there; your CV and letter will have to do this job for you, so tailor them carefully to meet the demands of each specific job you apply for.

Finding and gaining your ideal summer job can make a significant difference to your bank balance, and to your future prospects in years to come. That’s because work experience looks great on a CV, and whatever job you’ve occupied will bring with it transferable skills that employers will be looking for when you graduate and begin the search for a permanent job.