Initiative, Smarts Can Lead To Good Summer Job
By Kevin Smith Staff Writer© Pasadena Star-News, April 28, 2007
It's that time of year.
Millions of high school and college students will soon begin the annual ritual of looking for summer jobs. Some will be looking for full-time positions while others are in the market for part-time work.
"Many college students will start looking during the first week of May when they're finishing up on their exams," said Shawn Boyer, president and CEO of SnagAJob.com, the nation's largest job site for part-time and full-time hourly jobs. "High schools students typically wait until late May, which we think is too late, particularly if you want to get your pick of the litter in jobs."
Boyer advises job seekers to get ahead of the curve.
"You have to start now if you want to get in front of the wave of other people who will be searching for summer employment," he said.
So what kinds of jobs are out there?
"Retail is obviously a big one," Boyer said. "A lot of retailers have to gear up for the summer holiday season. They like to hire students and students like to work in many of these positions like movie theaters and amusement parks because they get discounts."
Those kinds of jobs typically pay anywhere from $7 to $12 per hour, although some are minimum wage. But other jobs, such as driver/delivery positions and some pizza delivery jobs (counting tips) can pay as much as $20 per hour, according to Boyer.
"There are also some other kinds of jobs out there that people don't necessarily think of," he said. "Some of the office administrative-type jobs need Internet research and they like to hire high school or college kids because they are so comfortable doing Internet research."
Other jobs are available in product demonstration, merchandising and tax preparation, Boyer said.
Gary Kaplan, president of Gary Kaplan & Associates, an executive search firm based in Pasadena, said summer job seekers will be entering a "very robust job market."
"This will be a good summer for high school and college kids looking for full-time summer employment and internships," he said. "We're beginning to see the early stages of this maturing work force, and on top that there have been good earnings reports in the manufacturing and service sectors."
Employers are currently struggling to to fill staffing or talent acquisition manager positions, he said.
"The market is very skinny for that talent right now," he said.
Kaplan advises job hunters to come prepared when meeting with prospective employers.
"You should research the organization you are going to be evaluated by," he said. "Don't go in cold. With Google and the Internet, it's easy to get information on almost any type of company."
Kaplan also stressed the importance of being appropriately dressed and neatly groomed.
"Don't take image and impact for granted," he said. "Go in looking good. Be well groomed and shaved with your hair combed. Don't go in wearing jeans or looking like you're going to work out."
Lynn Segal, who runs LS & Associates Staffing Services in Sherman Oaks, agreed with Kaplan.
"It's so important that you find out about the company and go there well dressed," she said. "I always tell people to dress professionally. Take the two earrings out and cover up the tattoos."
Applicants will often find out later that some companies do have informal standards regarding dress codes and jewelry, she said, but it's still best to look professional during the initial meeting.
"My most important thing I tell them is that you look the person directly in the eye and give them a hearty handshake," she said. "There's nothing worse than a limp handshake."
