AT this time each year, students globally leave secondary and tertiary institutions – the majority of them in search of employment.

Most of those graduating from tertiary institutions seek permanent employment, while most of those returning to college/university, as well as those moving from secondary to tertiary education seek gainful employment for the summer.

Now with the global recession, many summer job-seekers are fearing that they will not be able to find employment.

Benefits of summer employment

Summer employment provides students with the opportunity to help meet the cost of their maintenance for tertiary education. It also provides them with the chance to gain work experience that could prove invaluable later when they look for permanent employment. It is, too, an opportunity for students to build their self-confidence as they seek to put into practice some of the skills and competencies they learnt while pursuing their programme of study. They also get to network with prospective employers and build relationships for possible future employment.

Students’ participation in summer employment is important for employers as well. Employers like to recruit people who have some knowledge of their organisation or industry. For one thing, in recruiting such individuals, there is less need for them to organise orientation programmes. Also, the new employee, having had a summer experience, would adjust more readily to the new working environment, upon employment.

Securing a summer job

. Apply early.

Apply up to three months before the expected time of employment. Prospective employers create a list of applicants and the earlier you are on the list, the greater will be your chances of securing a position,

especially in a recession when fewer students will be employed.

. Focus on sending your applications to places you worked before.

If you did a good job previously and a vacancy exists, the employer will most likely make you the first choice for employment.

. Select an organisation where a parent or close relative is employed. Many organisations give priority for employment to employees’ children.

. Distribute up to 30 applications.

The more applications you distribute, the greater are your chances for landing yourself a job.

. Include your college or university career centre as a place to leave your applications.

Every year, hundreds of students are placed through the services of their career centres. Employers many times have developed a good working relationship with universities’ placement officers and career counsellors. And even in a recession the career centres will be used for meeting employers’ needs.

. Submit a well-written résumé and cover letter to the summer recruiter.

Do not think that because this is a summer job your application letter and résumé are not important. You are going to be judged by the quality of these two job search tools. A well-written résumé and cover letter might just screen you in.

. After distributing your applications, follow up with the company.

After a few weeks, try to find out the status of your application. You therefore will have to do your research on the persons to whom your résumé was sent. It is good to ask for the relevant person rather than talking to unconnected persons. If you were recommended by a relative or friend, you may want to ask that person to follow up on your application for you.

. Know when to stop following up and move on to your next prospect.

Your intuition and the feedback received should give you an indication of the possibilities.

. Investigate entrepreneurial opportunities.

One way of finding employment is to create your own. How then can you be your own employer? Think of some creative ideas. Consider, for example, whether there is a need for a summer school in your community. Determine what your skills and resources are and take stock of the needs around you.

Looking for summer employment at a time when there is a recession and permanent employees are losing their jobs can be difficult, but with determination, good job-hunting strategies and creativity, you could land yourself the employment opportunity you seek and deserve for the summer.

Merrit Henry is the student services and development manager at the University of the West Indies, Mona. She may be contacted at merrit.henry@uwimona.edu.jm.