Summer is fast approaching, and high schools and colleges will soon adjourn. If you have not already found your summer job, now is the time to get started. You want it to be a good experience for you, and you want it to be a good experience for your employer. Here are tips to help get you started:
For You
Make a list of the type of jobs you would enjoy. One summer during my high school years, I polished my entrepreneur spirit and went house-to-house, offering to paint house numbers on the street curb for $5 ($15 in today’s dollars). Another summer, I sold Cutco knives. During a college summer, I joined a small group of friends, rented a house at Destin, Florida, and worked breakfast room service in a hotel restaurant. All of these proved to be great experiences where I learned different life lessons.
If you are a college junior or rising senior, consider getting a summer job interning somewhere in a post-graduate field you are considering. The opportunity will give you an insider’s look at the field, provide valuable experience, and is an excellent booster for your resume. Begin the process by prioritizing your summer job opportunities and start making calls. If you know someone who has connections with a particular company, that is your best bet for getting in the door for an interview. Be prepared by doing some online research about the company you are interviewing with, and be sure to dress appropriately.
For Your Employer
- Be 100% dependable. This starts with always being on time, which is a minimum of 5 minutes before your scheduled start time. If you are given a task, be sure to finish it completely. Do not leave anything undone. Find opportunities to go the extra mile…do something unexpectantly extra.
- Give 100% to the job. While you are at work…work. Too many people spend work time on their smartphones or computers on non-work matters. If you are being paid for 8 hours of work, give your boss the entire 8 hours.
- Have a great attitude 100% of the time. Attitude is a choice. You get to choose each day whether you will have a sunny, upbeat, positive attitude. No matter what happens to you, you still get to choose to stay positive.
Summer is a great time to gain experience and develop your skills for post-education endeavors. Use the opportunity to improve yourself and plan for the future.
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Stewart H. Welch, III, CFP®, AEP, is the founder of THE WELCH GROUP, LLC, which specializes in providing fee-only investment management and financial advice to families throughout the United States. He is the author or co-author of six books, including 50 Rules of Success; J.K. Lasser’s New Rules for Estate, Retirement and Tax Planning- 6th Edition (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.); THINK Like a Self-Made Millionaire; and 100 Tips for Creating a Champagne Retirement on a Shoestring Budget. For more information, visit The Welch Group. Consult your financial advisor before acting on comments in this article.
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