The summer vacation provides an ideal opportunity for students to secure paid work experience and to develop valuable employability skills. Read on to find out more about the types of work available, the top things to consider when searching for summer jobs, and how to apply.
Step one: Know your options
One of the first things to research when looking for a summer job is what opportunities are available. Examples include:
- Paid internship opportunities
- Temporary or seasonal roles in retail, hospitality, tourism, creative arts, administration, cleaning or care work
- Paid social media promotion
- Becoming a delivery driver/rider
- Working abroad
Step two: Identify your preferences
Considering your own requirements in advance will allow you to search more efficiently for relevant opportunities and can narrow down the vacancies to apply to. Some points to consider are:
- Location
- Transport links
- Sector
- Duties and skills involved
- Hours and flexibility
- Wage and overtime options
Step three: Search for opportunities
A good starting point for your search is the Careers and Employability Service website, which contains links to online jobs boards, organised by sector.
Other useful websites include:
- Kent’s TARGETconnect portal for part-time work, internships, graduate roles, and work experience vacancies
- Student opportunities section of the Student Guide
- Kent Union’s Jobshop for part-time, temporary and seasonal vacancies
- employment 4 students, which has a section dedicated to holiday jobs
- Indeed online jobs board
- Student Circus for jobs that are open to students with a visa
You might also find it useful to check in shop windows for vacancies, or adopt a speculative approach. This involves contacting an employer directly (usually providing your CV and a cover letter), even if they do not have any advertised vacancies.
Step four: Apply!
Check the job advertisement for instructions on how to apply. This can vary depending on the role and organisation. Generally, the application process may involve:
- Submitting an up-to-date CV
- Submitting a cover letter
- Completing an application form
- Completing an interview
Remember: the Careers and Employability Service can support you with applying! Book a 15-minute Quick Advice appointment to have your CV, cover letter or application answers reviewed by an Adviser, or book a 30-minute Interview Practice slot.
And that’s it! Four simple steps to give yourself the best possible chance of securing a summer job.
Good luck!