As the college students gradually start to trickle back into Chicago, chances of nabbing a great Summer job are getting slim. Make sure to follow these simple and easy steps to secure a great occupation come school ending!

THE EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM

The biggest thing to do to secure your summer job is to start as soon as possible. The longer you wait to hit the pavement and start booking interviews, the smaller the chance is of you getting a position. It’s a battlefield out there, filled with broke, angry college kids, high school students being nagged to get out of the house, and even adults who just want a part-time job. The best way to win over all of these desperates is to get there faster than them.

STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD

Like what was said in the previous tip, there are too many teenagers trying to get a job in the summer to compete with. In order to win over them, you can’t blend in. Try dressing up for your interview (put away the tuxedo t-shirt), or emailing the boss to thank them for the interview. These kinds of things show you are mature and willing to take the job seriously, different than most teens.

GET CREATIVE

When trying to find a part-time job, people tend to stick to what they know, places they are used to. This can definitely work for someone who is a regular at a restaurant, or knows the owner of a store. However, to maximize your options it’s a good idea to look at any businesses around your neighborhood, even the ones you don’t know a lot about. Jazmin Aceves, ‘17 recommends to, “just ask your gym or workout studio if they’re looking for more help over the summer, chances are they’ll have something for you.” Violet O’Neill, ‘17 has found a good job at a camp. She encourages, “If you love kids, like I do, working at a day camp is a great way to do what you love…unless you love kids in like a creepy way, in that case don’t work at a camp and also see a psychiatrist.”

DON’T GET GREEDY

It’s important to remember that you are still a teenager. Even though the work you’re doing is valuable, you shouldn’t expect to earn more than minimum wage. You might have earned more when you were babysitting, but chances are your new employers aren’t going to be as generous as happy parents of two.

HAVE FUN!

Making money during the summer is great, but remember to do something you actually enjoy doing! Quincy Hirt, ‘17, recommends going back to your old summer camps. “I will be working at my former summer camp in northern Wisconsin because I want to ensure that the current campers can have the same incredible experience I did.” Giving back to your community can also be fun. Kate Bailey, ‘17, offers, “If you do service anywhere see if they need a summer intern or something.”

The summer can be a great time to get to know yourself as a person. Having a job will allow you to not only pay for any adventures you want to go on, but also experience working before you have a job later in life.