Tips on Getting that Summer Job—or Any Job

The résumé
Your resume and cover letter are your own personal marketing tools. They should make you stand out from the crowd so that the employer will want to invite you in for an interview. The résumé usually contain the following elements:

• contact information
• career objective
• skills and/or accomplishments
• work experience, education
• a statement about references

While there are many formats you can use, the functional resume format – which focuses on skills and accomplishments rather than work history – is most appropriate for people with limited work experience.

The cover letter
What about writing an awesome cover letter to land a summer job?

Cover letters, unlike your résumé, are written in full sentences and paragraphs, and should not be any longer than one page. The key is to include the most pertinent information from your résumé that the hiring manager for the position would be looking for.

The Interview
Preparing for an interview can be stressful. It helps if you are prepared. You should know something about the business you are applying to. Make sure you do your homework and dress appropriately.

Here is a list of some commonly asked interview questions that might help you prepare for your next job interview.

1. 1. Why should we hire you?
2. 2. Have you ever done this kind of work before?
3. 3. Why did you leave your last job?
4. 4. How often were you absent from your last job?
5. 5. When are you available to work?
6. 6. What five words describe you best?
7. 7. What was your last employer’s opinion of you?
8. 8. What are your long term goals?
9. 9. Can you operate any equipment?
10. 10. What experience do you have?

Get great information at the Algonquin College Employment Centre.