Foo - A naive question about summer jobs

This is the first time I will need to find a summer job. I should clarify: this isn't my first job, it's just that I've always been employed year round and had my hours modified during the summer; I've never had to get a job specifically for summer. I guess what I don't understand is how I intimate my intentions to the employer. Why would an employer be willing to hire me if I'm obviously leaving at the end of August? Are the chances of me being hired by some place that might make use of my technical/machining/mechanical skills remote?

http://www.gpsmagazine.com/assets/now-hiring-losers.jpg

Being the hugely useful person that you are, all you need to do is make them see the money they'll make off you, and they'll hire you gleefully. It's really a simple thing.

1. update your resume and brush up on your interviewing skillz
2. get the best, highest-paying job you can
3. don't tell them you're leaving at the end of the summer
4. give two-weeks notice that you're leaving
5. leave when it's over

3. don't tell them you're leaving at the end of the summer


You're sure that this is okay? I don't want to leave a bad impression, especially in the event that I might list my place of summer employment as work experience on my resume. I guess I just don't know what normal procedure here is.

And what if, during the interview, they ask if I am in college? I will tell them that I am and it'll be pretty evident that I'm leaving when school starts. School is 650 miles away; there isn't much of a chance that I'd continue my employment during the academic year!

I'd be forthright with them, especially if you are applying at a place that is probably expecting a long term commitment. Obvious summer jobs like the fast food industry are accustomed to a quick turnover rate. But if you are going into a manufacturing environment where you might expect to be trained to operate machinery, or become familiar with a huge paperwork routine, it's pretty disingenuous to grab a job, knowing that you will be leaving in several months. I'd not burn any bridges, that will help you further down the road than earning an extra couple of bucks per hour by weaseling your way into a company under undisclosed pretenses.

You could always get a seasonal job that is designed to end near the end of summer...state park interpreter...things like that. then you have to explain nothing!

http://www.gpsmagazine.com/assets/now-hiring-losers.jpg


i got rejected. oh the shame

Believe me, employers are entirely used to getting screwed over by paying to train employees, just to have them go back to school in the Fall. By all means, don't tell them you're in college and can't offer any long term employment.

it probably depends on where you're applying. my first job was at a grocery store. When i went in to talk and fill out paperwork, i offered up that i'd be going back to school in the fall. She was very nice and said "Ok, i'm just going to pretend you didnt say that."

A lot of places hire seasonally for summer and holidays. They expect that you will only work for a couple of months. If you are going after a corporate-type job they might not be so happy. That being said, a lot of corporations have summer internships that end when the school term starts in the fall.

I agree w/SuzieG. You may find a place that could use you in subsequent summers. Don't burn bridges if you don't have to.

There are gigs where they have so much work they will always take you back. I landed one of those my sr yr of HS, worked that whole year, then came back every weeklong or longer break from college through winter of my last yr. Spring break senior year I finally took a vacation.

And what if, during the interview, they ask if I am in college? I will tell them that I am and it'll be pretty evident that I'm leaving when school starts. School is 650 miles away; there isn't much of a chance that I'd continue my employment during the academic year!"yes, I am a college student, but I do return home during breaks and may be interested in working then"

1. update your resume and brush up on your interviewing skillz
2. get the best, highest-paying job you can
3. don't tell them you're leaving at the end of the summer
4. give two-weeks notice that you're leaving
5. leave when it's over

Unless they can apply for State assistance to reimburse a portion of summer student wages. There are similar programs available in Canada.

You crazy!@$#??? Our government only gives assistance to rich greedy banks that messed up!

You crazy!@$#??? Our government only gives assistance to rich greedy banks that messed up!

That's unfortunate. In Canada, those programs help students get their first crack at a job. Not just a McDonald's type job.

Being the hugely useful person that you are, all you need to do is make them see the money they'll make off you, and they'll hire you gleefully. It's really a simple thing.



Gleefully? GLEEFULLY?? :lol:

Oh man. Michigander, turn in your man card!!!

PC, Everyone has some good advice. You'll be okay. It's a good time to sell yourself and what you can do. I know of a lot of people who were offered full time positions because the boss was so impressed withe their temporary work.

Matter of fact, businesses who hire through temp agencies expect you to leave.

Gleefully? GLEEFULLY?? :lol:

Oh man. Michigander, turn in your man card!!!

PC, Everyone has some good advice. You'll be okay. It's a good time to sell yourself and what you can do. I know of a lot of people who were offered full time positions because the boss was so impressed withe their temporary work.

Matter of fact, businesses who hire through temp agencies expect you to leave.

I take offense to your harassing dissension regarding the complexities of my intuitively advanced vocabulary.

I know you looked up half them words, Mich. *laughs, points at Mich* :lol:

I know you looked up half of those words, Mich. *Laughs, points at Mich.* :lol:

Fixed

I know you needed to look up half of those words, Mich. *Laughs while pointing at Mich.* :lol:
Fixed

Fixed.

;)

This is the first time I will need to find a summer job. I should clarify: this isn't my first job, it's just that I've always been employed year round and had my hours modified during the summer; I've never had to get a job specifically for summer. I guess what I don't understand is how I intimate my intentions to the employer. Why would an employer be willing to hire me if I'm obviously leaving at the end of August? Are the chances of me being hired by some place that might make use of my technical/machining/mechanical skills remote?

There are a lot of industries that are very busy in the summer months and there are a lot of industries that try to utilize the increased workforce during the summer months and there are a lot of industries that may just be busy this summer.

Look at restaurants and city/country jobs. Do it early though...especially now-day's. In fact, a lot of jobs formerly filled by teens are being filled by over qualified adults.

You're sure that this is okay? I don't want to leave a bad impression, especially in the event that I might list my place of summer employment as work experience on my resume. I guess I just don't know what normal procedure here is.
I'd highly recommend against being deceptive. Aside from the fact that you won't be able to list the place as a reference, you'll be screwing over your friends from work -- if you don't have any after being there a few months, that should tell you something. The world is smaller than most people imagine, and playing games with people has a way of catching up with you

There are many seasonal jobs, and it's usually not too hard to get something that will get a little cash flowing. The chances of being able to use your skills are relatively low unless you find a job that you'd be able to jump right into that required little or no knowledge of the operation or additional training. It usually takes a lot of time to get people up to speed in skilled jobs.

BTW, what I used to do when I needed work quickly is go downtown and systematically go door to door. Ask to speak to the manager or whoever makes hiring decisions, say you are a good worker, you do anything, you're ready to work immediately, and you want to know if anything is available. Do not screw around with applications unless you know for a fact that they are filling a position, in which case you should ask for an interview on the spot.

I've had success with this method even in times of high unemployment and typically get something within a day. Since most places are not hiring, you should expect a 98% rejection rate. Unless you are lucky, the places that are hiring usually have less pleasant jobs. But if that is not acceptable, you are not hungry enough. If you have a bad job and are a good worker, people will not hold it against you if you take a better offer later.

You're sure that this is okay? I don't want to leave a bad impression, especially in the event that I might list my place of summer employment as work experience on my resume. I guess I just don't know what normal procedure here is.

Be up front with your intentions...