An uncertain economy can mean more people looking for work, so it pays to get an early start looking for summer jobs. While employment rates in Manitoba are still very good, it might be smart to spend spring break polishing up your resume and your interviewing skills!
Here are a few tips for finding something fun and financially rewarding this summer:
1. Your resume is your ultimate profile page
- Get your resume together and get it looking good!
- Lay it out in Word or another design program, and make a PDF for emailing out
- Use only 1 font to keep it professional looking, with bold text and headlines to make important info stand out
- Keep it simple, with your contact info right up front!
- Mention any blogging or other online activities you do including portfolios, writing articles for websites, etc. It’s a great way for potential employers to see what you’re all about and how ambitious you are!
- Not much experience to list yet? Add volunteer work, school committees, and hobbies. Put emphasis on skills those pastimes have taught you.
- Be creative! Can you draw? Take great photos? Bust rhymes? Without being too wacky, stand out & get a bit of your personality on the page.
2. Work your network
- Let your family, friends, teachers and neighbours know you’re looking for a job
- Update your Facebook status or tweet about it!
- Talk to local business owners and family friends with businesses
- Check out the online classifieds at the Winnipeg Free Press and Winnipeg Sun, and the Manitoba Youth Job Centre.
3. Volunteering: Good for more than just feeling good!
- Volunteering can lead to lots of interesting connections with people who may have opportunities. Try MYVOP or Volunteer Manitoba for lots of great ideas.
- Volunteers gain experience and insight that not only looks good on a resume, but helps you learn all-important people skills
- A volunteer position might just turn into a great summer job!
- An unpaid “internship” at a career you’re interested in (with an architecture firm, a vet’s office, or a tattoo studio, for example!) will give you valuable hands-on experience as well as a taste of what your future career might be like!
4. Turn your hobby into a job
- You might already know a lot about the comics or music at the stores you hang out in – see if they’re impressed that you read Watchmen 3 years ago!
- Into rollerblading, swimming or rock climbing? Skate shops, lifeguarding, and teaching beginner kids are all ways you can do what you love, enjoy the sun and still get paid.
- Crafty? If you’re an artist, love designing clothes, or make great macaroni necklaces, start selling your stuff in kiosks, festivals or online! Try a day table at the Forks Market or Etsy to set up a free online shop.
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