Lessons for Getting a Summer Job

Summer is the prime season for us teens to eat, play and make some money. We all have an ample amount of spare time and could use a little extra cash. However, searching for employment is not always a textbook step-by-step journey. From my personal experience, here are tips on getting yourself a great summer job.

Dropping Off Your Resumé
The act of dropping off a resumé appears to be a much-too-simple process to allow for anything unexpected to occur. But, somehow, in my veteran record of job applications, I have been met with some pretty strange situations. Last summer, I wanted to drop off my resumé at a popular clothing store, but was told that I could not do so as the manager was not working that day. About five seconds later, I promptly overheard one of the employees telling her co-worker to talk to the manager in the stockroom. An employee shot me down before I even had an opportunity to be rejected by the manager.
Lesson learned: Call first, ask for the manager’s name and ensure he/she will be there when you drop by.

The Interview
The scariest part of any job search process is the interview. This is the point where all kinds of wacky scenarios start popping up. During an interview with a skin care company, the manager and I discussed historical fiction novels for most of the interview. In an interview with a shoe store, I was rated on a scale. I admit that my attempts to resist the temptation of sneaking a peek at my score were futile.
Lesson learned: Be prepared for anything. Go to the library and take out a book on how to prepare for a job interview – there are plenty of resources out there.

The Group Interview
I have learned from experience that interviews are not always one-on-one meetings with the employer. Group interviews are very common for big companies with a large pool of candidates. I have been interviewed in a setting in which 20 interviewees, myself included, sat around a big table that was headed by three managers. To say that it was an intimidating environment would be an understatement.
Lesson learned: Consider how to make yourself stand out in a group interview situation. Be confident and focus only on yourself and your accomplishments. Comparing yourself to others will only throw off your confidence.

Accepting Rejection
Prevailing through the interview process does not halt the surprises that can head your way. Once, I received a formal rejection letter in my mailbox from a bookstore after a group interview. I still wonder today if I should be flattered that they took the time and effort to physically mail me the letter.
Lesson learned: Even if you think the interview went well, don’t expect that you’ve landed the job. Keep up the job search until you have actually been offered a position.

Despite all of the negative experiences I have had with job applications, the surprise that I encounter most frequently when searching for a job is getting hired unexpectedly. I’ve been hired after interviews that I thought were disastrous and for jobs that I thought I could never possibly get. It is important to try and view the process with a good sense of humour and treat it as a learning experience. Good luck!