If you are one of the lucky college students or recent grads who landed a summer job this year, you might be wondering whether it was the best thing to do with your spare time during these lazy, hazy days… After all, we’re midway through the summer season and what do you have to show for it? Just a little bit of extra cash?
But, earning extra cash isn’t the only benefit of landing a summer job. Consider some of the advantages of taking a temporary, seasonal position:
Think of it as a path to full-time work. Just under a quarter of all businesses hire people to fill temporary, summer-time positions. And, over half of those employers consider hiring their summer help for full-time positions after the season is over. Working a summer job is a great way to get your foot in the door if you’re looking for continued employment later on.
Use this experience to explore a career path. Taking a summer job in a variety of industries can help you carve out a career path, especially if you’re undecided about what you want to do for a living. Summer jobs are also an excellent way to experience different positions, work cultures and companies that interest you.
Consider it a building block for your résumé. Employers prefer see lots of work experience on résumés. By demonstrating to hiring managers that you are experienced, flexible, and able to hold down a job, you will be better positioned as you move through the interview process.
Remember, a summer job can benefit more than just your bank account. Your future career can benefit as well. So, if you were lucky enough to find employment this summer, count your blessings each time you cash your check. Good luck!
As I said before, mediocrity is not a desirable trait in today's workforce. If you graduated college and are having a difficult time finding the job you want, not working is NOT an option. Expand your horizons and think outside the box when it comes to finding your next job. You should be looking for ANY job that can help you gain experience in your desired field.
Companies may not be hiring for the full-time positions you desire, but they may be hiring for entry-level, part-time positions that can help get your foot in the door and may even lead to future job offers. Interning and volunteer work are options available to you as well. These jobs can be great resume boosters, and can show future employers that even in times of economic hardship, you were still trying to get ahead and further your career.
Free time is wasted time. Employers don't look favorably on gaps in your job history. Fill those gaps with part-time work that helps you move forward toward fulfilling your ultimate goal of success.
Although losing your job may seem like your world is crashing around you, there are many career opportunities waiting in the wings. Instead of looking for a full-time job, you may find more success when looking for temp work or interning opportunities at a company that has room for upward expansion. These jobs can 1) help pay your bills 2) become an impressive addition to your resume and 3) may lead to future job offers. These part-time jobs can give you some additional experience that future employers are looking for.
Remember, just because you have found temp work or internship opportunities does not mean that you have to stop searching for that full-time job. Finding a job is a full-time job, so devoting a significant amount of hours each week to the job search can be very beneficial in the long run.
Spherion, a leading recruiting and staffing company, partnered with MonsterTRAK, Monster.com's college division, to visit a local college campus and find out how seniors are preparing themselves for the transition from campus life to the working world.
Cinderella Syndrome: Why Career Success is not a Fairytale.
Many students making the transition from college-life to the real world have contracted a serious condition called “Cinderella Syndrome,” also commonly referred to as “princess syndrome.” Careerealism defines this fictitious disease as a sense of entitlement when it comes to achieving career success.
Cinderella Syndrome can lead people to believe its “unfair” as to why they have not been hired for a particular job, rather than understanding that someone may have been better suited for the position. This entitlement can also lead college students to believe that after graduating the right job will fall into their laps or better yet, that a company will actively recruit them directly out of school. Ring- Ring! Reality is calling…
Today’s job market is a fiercely competitive place and sitting back on the assumption that the right job will find you is not a strategy for career success! Career success is not a fairytale, it’s out there and it can happen to you! But the only real way to achieve it is through hard work and perseverance. You must actively take steps to achieve your goals, rather than waiting around for your fairy godmother to wave her magic wand.
Start by setting realistic goals for yourself. Give yourself a daily dose of success by creating attainable of goals of progress. You are never going to become CEO of a Fortune 500 company overnight; however you can start by taking a course in Management. By conquering small steps, you’ll give yourself a boost of confidence each time making progress towards taming the employment beast and becoming closer to achieving your goals.
Network, network, network! Many times in today’s workforce, it’s not what you know that separates you from the crowd… its who you know! If you’re currently interning or temping, make the most of your opportunities. Go beyond what your employer asks of you, and show your co-workers what you are made of! Be fearless in showing how much enthusiasm you have for your work. The connections you make with your colleagues could potentially lead to job offers, letters of recommendation or just some stellar professional advice.
And remember, being positive can be the ultimate determining factor in your success. So smile on… and you might happen to catch yourself a Prince Charming while working your way towards career success! Good luck!
Having worked on a freelance basis since before graduating high school, I've never had the experience of working a traditional internship or temp position. Some say I'm fortunate, others say I'm missing out. My take on the situation leans toward the latter opinion, but I'd like to hear the thoughts of those of you who've been in the fray. What's the good, the bad, and the ugly of interning and temping? Am I missing out on a valuable life experience, or have I been spared a huge headache? Let's hear it.
Failure to Launch: When Your Internship Doesn’t Turn Into a Job Offer…
Many times, internships can be used as a route to full-time employment, but what do you do when your internship ends and a job offer does not present itself?
Rest assured that although internships are great resume boosters and can provide access to new networking opportunities, they are not your only option. Temping offers a paid alternative to internships, while still allowing for you to get the work experience and networking opportunities needed to make a smooth transition into the workforce. Temping also enables you to meet people in your desired industry, to understand the internal workings of a company and to become accustomed to the terminology that is commonly used. The employees you meet can give you advice on what future employers may be looking for, lead you to future job offers, and may even be able to write you a letter of recommendation. It is always a good idea to network and both temping and internships are an excellent way to accomplish this.
With internships it is essential to work hard and make the most out of every opportunity you are given. Show up early and stay late—do whatever your company needs and wants. Basically, go above and beyond. The knowledge that practical work experience brings is not something that can be learned in the classroom, it is knowledge that can only be gained through working in your field. To many employers, education and experience do not go hand-in-hand. So, if you just graduated and have little experience working in your field, temping and interning are ways for you to gain the experience that your future employer desires.
The first hand experience and knowledge that entry-level positions yield can put you one step ahead of your competition. It enables you to go into any interview with confidence because you already know what is expected. You may even be able to offer examples of how you have completed similar tasks in the past or offer fresh alternatives for completing the same tasks.
Remember, there is no such thing as a wasted experience. If your internship does not turn into a full-time job offer, then it has still given you invaluable knowledge, experience and networking opportunities that will help you tremendously when transitioning into the workforce. Also, remember that internships are not your sole option. Temp jobs can be just as helpful, and even if your first temp job doesn’t turn into a full-time employment opportunity, you can keep working with a temp agency to help place you in your next position.
|
|
Comments (1) |
Permalink
