Whether it’s lifeguarding on the beach, washing dishes at a restaurant, interning at an office, or working with kids as a camp counsellor, summer jobs for uni students are a rite of passage. Not only are they a great way to make some extra money during your time off, but they can also set you up for a future career.

Here’s how to make the most of your summer jobs.

Three Tips When Researching Summer Jobs for Uni students

1.  Think long-term

While it’s tempting to grab the first opportunity for easy money, you should also give serious consideration to how you can leverage this job toward future career goals. Now’s your chance to develop your job-seeking skills, network with professionals in a field you’re interested in, and start building industry-relevant experience.

A job this summer could impact your job next summer and then again when you’re finished your program. That’s not to say you need to find something directly related to your potential career, but it’s worth thinking strategically about it.

2.  Give your social media a springtime cleaning

Every job search should start with updating your resume, but you should also look at updating your social media presence as well. More employers are using social media background checks to search a candidate’s online behaviour for any potential red flags that aren’t revealed during the interview process.

Does that mean you need to delete everything and go into the strictest privacy settings? Not necessarily. But you should look carefully at the content you’re sharing and what it says about you.

Are there images or videos of you excessively partying? Do you routinely share offensive memes? Maybe your friends know when you’re joking, but an employer may not.

3.  Search farther afield

You may have heard something like, “80% of jobs aren’t advertised.” The accuracy of claims like these is hotly debated. Nonetheless, whether or not this is true, it pays to network.

As a college student, you may think you don’t have the professional connections yet to network, but that’s not true. You can start with friends and family.

If you see a job opening posted online, look to see if you know someone who works at the company. Even if they don’t know anyone in recruitment, they could tell you more about the company so you’ll be well prepared should you be invited to an interview.

Be Job Market Ready

One of the best ways to be prepared when researching summer jobs for uni students is to have your criminal background check ready. Triton’s effortless online process will get you the results you need within only 15 minutes or less. And you never have to leave home!

Check out our website or download the app today.