Summertime Job Blues

“I’m gonna raise a fuss, I’m gonna raise a holler

About a workin’ all summer just to try to earn a dollar.”

– Eddie Cochran

Luckily, minimum wage is more than a buck today. It’s now mid-March and many people are looking forward to the summer. Are you trying to think of places that may have employment opportunities over the summer break? Now is the time to do it.  If you wait, it won’t matter how loud you can holler as the summer jobs will be filled.

Using the “how to search” job tips for summer employment listed in earlier blogs here, I thought I would also provide some ideas on “where” to search.

Amusement Parks – The GTA has Canada’s Wonderland, The Ex and some of the travelling amusement shows such as Conklin Shows that appear in strip mall parking lots. Check out their websites and watch the local papers for recruitment fairs.

Summer Camp – There are a number of city-run programs during the summer held in local schools and libraries, for which they are recruiting a range of staff, including many Counsellors. Check the city website for information. There are also some private day camps, running all over the province. One of the biggest is Camp Samac in Oshawa. Check out jobs at Canadian summer camps at this site, which is one of many online sites which list jobs.

Private Resorts and Campgrounds – Ontario has some of the most beautiful private campgrounds and resorts. The larger resorts can be found at Blue Mountain and in the Muskokas. Online, you will find Resort listings; look for hiring/jobs listings on the individual sites. Many of the smaller campgrounds are family run and have the down home feeling. Here is a listing of private campgrounds.

Provincial campgrounds – Ontario has many supervised parks throughout the province. There is a listing of the campgrounds, as well as a site with for specific information about jobs in the campgrounds.

Construction and landscaping jobs – check in with local builders, plant nurseries and landscaping companies to see if they can use an extra set of hands.

Lifeguard – Many people obtain their certification as a lifeguard and swim instructor. Spend your summer by the pool and get paid for it. Check the municipal websites for a local pool near you.

Server/Waiter/Waitress – Summer weather means patio time. It is also a great opportunity to earn some cash as a server. Most bars and restaurants (including restaurant chains) have a patio area. Talk to the manager in duty to see if they are hiring, and check online resources such as Craigslist‘s food, beverage and hospitality jobs listings or Hospitality Jobs. Wait staff for events are recruited through sites such as Staff Solutions, Servers and Shakers and Staff Your Event.

Tour Guide – If you are outgoing and speak multiple languages, then this may be an area you want to look into. Many tourists come to Toronto in the summer for the events and festivals we are known for. There are several tour companies that service the GTA, and the City of Toronto maintains n updated Festivals and Events Calender. Look up the festival websites, such as that of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) website, who have a careers page. Check the internet for festivals that cater to your strengths (language, interest) for your biggest chance at employment.

Tutoring – This may be an opportunity if you have the knowledge and ability to help out a student in different subjects. Doing this on your own or through a tutoring service could bring in some extra cash and possibly lead to longer term opportunities.

Sales – These positions could be in retail, door to door, on the street or telemarketing. Choose a product or service that you enjoy as it will help the day go by a lot faster. You can find these jobs in the paper or online, or check our recommended job site listings on this blog.

Many of these positions are seasonal and targeted to students. But in some cases, when the students go back to school in September, long-term employment can be found. They all offer an opportunity to grow different skills, meet people and earn a few bucks.

So, don’t wait, as these jobs will be gone before you know it. Apply now and get yourself set for the summer months. Don’t forget your bug repellant and suntan lotion.

Have a great summer.

Tips to finding seasonal or full-time work – winter edition

It’s mid-October and the Christmas decorations have been in the stores for a few weeks now. Soon the holiday muzak will be playing over the speakers and a gentleman in red will be making his annual appearance at a mall near you. Some find this a difficult time to be looking for any type of work (full- or part-time) but a few tips may help you get a job or at least set yourself up to be in a better position for 2012.

While it is true that many sectors slow down their hiring leading up to and including the holidays, there are several that have some great opportunities. Anything consumer related (Retail, Hospitality, Food Service, Call Centres and Travel) are good areas to check out. Consumers are buying Christmas gifts, booking vacations, holding annual Christmas parties and stocking up on edible goodies for when family members visit.

Most of these companies have career sections on their websites where you can apply online for jobs. But time is tight before the rush and many have been recruiting for these positions since September. To increase your odds of getting hired try these few tips:

• Apply in person and speak to the manager (store, hotel or restaurant). These employers are services based so meeting in person gives you a chance to showcase how you can interact with customers/clients. It can make a huge difference for a person that has little experience or a weaker resume but presents well. Going to the location also gives you an opportunity to check out the work area, products and company culture.
• If you go in person make sure you do your research. Check out the location, know the products and review the website. Consider yourself as a “secret shopper”.
• Many of these roles pay minimum wage but offer benefits like staff discounts. If this is the case where you are applying, make sure the product/service is something that you value and can utilize. It’s okay to be selfish in this case.
• Several of these “seasonal” jobs are listed as part-time or temporary. Many times though people have ended up working full-time hours especially leading up to Christmas. While it is true that many are laid off after Christmas, several employers I spoke to have stated that if a person works out to be a great asset then they will try to keep them on (permanent work could be a result)
• Don’t shy away from making connections with employers that are slowing down for the holidays. Once the holidays are over and annual budgets are set, some employers will start hiring again. Sometimes the only edge you need is someone on the inside that can pass on your resume to the hiring manager or give you the heads up when the posting is going out. LinkedIn is a great way to do this. Many job seekers take a break over the holidays so take advantage of their inaction.
• Take advantage of local job fairs. To be successful though you need to check the exhibitors list before you go to see if there are employers that you want to meet. Don’t waste your time going to an event where the employers are from a sector you aren’t interested in. Prepare before you go.

Here are a variety of website links to employers from these different sectors that may be hiring:

• Limited Brands (Victoria Secret, Bath & Body works, La Senza)
• Transat A.T. Inc (Jonview Canada, Transat, Marlin Travel)
• Sporting Life 
• Porter Airlines
• Target Canada (opening soon)
• Discount Car and Truck Rental

Here’s hoping that 2012 will be a better year for all of us.

Good luck in your job search.
Chris

Making the most of job search in summer

© Pavel Losevsky | Dreamstime.com

Summer is coming fast and job searchers begin to worry that hiring is slowing down. My clients often express concerns that they will not be able to find real jobs over the summer and worry whether it is even worth looking for work over that time. It’s also tempting to opt out of job search and stay home with the kids or hang out with your friends who are off school. I have discovered, however, that summer does present some unique opportunities that make it a worthwhile time to job search.

While it is true that many employers go on holiday during the summer, and it is true that some businesses might slow down for those who remain in the office. While this means that they might be disinclined to hire, it also means that they might be more available for networking and information interviews. Clients who contacted employers to set up a time to talk and answer questions have reported to me that employers are a lot more responsive. Employers were more open to talk and spend longer time talking to job searchers than they would during the rest of the year. Check your LinkedIn;profile for companies for which you would like to work, identify second degree contacts which you would like to meet, and set out to get an introduction.

As mentioned in our previous article on summer work, the season presents some unique job opportunities for the more motivated and flexible job searcher. While the pay might be low and the hours not necessarily full-time, the opportunity to gain some experience, network, references and get paid for having fun might be worthwhile.

Summer might be a good time to volunteer in the various cultural events happening in the city. This too might present job searchers with a chance to network and have some fun.

Finally, hiring does not come to a complete stop during summer; statistical studies of hiring trends show that hiring drops by 0.4-1.5 percent in July-August. But, if employers need a staff member, they will post jobs and hire. It is likely though, that because of peoples’ perceptions about jobs in summer, less will apply, which means that competition might be a bit easier.

The bottom line is – use summer to expand your network and source out new job opportunities.  You may just find that by the time September rolls in, you are better equipped to find the next best job.