Save Everything:

If you’re spending this summer assisting an advertising company, assuming you have permission, save copies of what you worked on. If you have to give a presentation to a group of people this summer, save all of the materials. If you came up with a list of ideas for a project that got pulled before you could even share your thoughts on it, don’t toss out the legal pad! By saving everything you’re working on, you’re creating the contents of a polished portfolio that will highly benefit you at your next big interview. By saving your ideas and thoughts from a variety of projects, you’ll have a well of inspiration for future similar projects.

Make Contacts (And Keep Them):

During your time spent at your summer job or internship, try to meet as many people as you can, as well as you can. Get their contact information so you can stay in touch when you’re back in school.  Update them periodically on your life and your achievements. When graduation comes, these will be the people who may be able to point you in the direction of a job opening, and it doesn’t hurt to have them on your side.

Get Letters of Recommendation:

Before you leave to go back to college at the end of this summer, have your employer write you a general letter of recommendation. This will allow you to have one on file when you need it, and it will likely be written well, having your capabilities and achievements fresh in the writer’s mind. If you wait a few months or even a few years to ask for it, they may say no, the letters won’t be as specific or accurate, or worse, they may have trouble remembering who you are.

Get Advice:

One of the best benefits you can get out of your summer job or internship is advice from those who are already in the real world, doing what you want to do. Pick the minds of a variety of people there, from those at the top of the hierarchy who have been around for a while, as well as those only a few years older than you. They’ll be able to tell you how to break into the field, what can best prepare you for an entry-level job, and other secrets that may not have reached the academic realm just yet.

Want to search for scholarships or find your perfect college fit? Make your profile today on Cappex!

If you want to score an awesome summer job in your field, you’re going to need to jazz up your resume with the latest and greatest information about all you’ve done in the past few years. Here’s a list of ideas on how you can turn your high school list of clubs into a professional and career-worthy document.

Eliminate Fluff: When you were applying to college or to your first part-time job, the fact that you were on the soccer team and held the treasurer position for your 8th grade class was all really cool; however, now that you’re a college student, these facts aren’t as relevant. Clear away your middle school and high school activities to make way for your college accomplishments.

Get Classy: You may be concerned that without having yet completed college,  you’ll be limited to mentioning the degree you’ll be obtaining and when, without being able to give more information on your current academics. The way around this is to discuss the classes you’ve taken. Pick a few courses relevant to the job you’re applying for, provide a brief description, and mention papers you’ve written or research you’ve done on given topics. Your ability to narrow in and discuss your relevant interests will be far more attractive than listing your graduation date.

Update Your References: You don’t want to apply for a summer job in your field with a resume that continues to list your soccer coach and your 10th grade math teacher (who now goes by her married name), as your references. Pick people who can speak about your academic accomplishments.

Work on Aesthetics: A three page resume in Comic Sans font looked pretty nifty in 11th grade, but when you’re trying to get a job in your field, you’ll need something more professional. Keep it tight by only including the most relevant information, with the most important and powerful words. Keep the font simple and readable. Print it out on nice paper, but nothing too ridiculous.

Provide Proof: For every piece of experience on your resume, provide the “so what?” or evidence of your accomplishments. For example, if you write that you were president of the jazz band, the reader of your resume might say “Ok, so what?” In a concise matter, tell them the “so what?”! Something like, “President of College Jazz Band: Organized rehearsals of 115 musicians, developed successful solution to keep track of uniforms that future presidents will utilize, etc.”

Be Relevant: You don’t have to rewrite a resume for each different job you apply to, but you can tweak it to include or highlight the essential skills each job is looking for. Make a list of the skills or qualifications the job position requires, and make sure your resume covers those points.

Include a Portfolio: While portfolios have stereotypically been used for those in art fields, they are being used more and more with many other majors as well. Teachers use them to show lesson plans, public relations reps use them to show press releases, and writers use them to show clippings. They can hold copies of certifications, news paper articles, photographs, drawings, essays, and more. Having something visual to show an employer not only looks good, but it also gives you a limitless amount of room to expand on what’s already in your resume.

Want to search for scholarships or find your perfect college fit? Make your profile today on Cappex.

Here are some resources you can use to find that great summer job:

People to Talk To: 

College Professors: Despite what you may think, professors are usually very busy over their summer vacations teaching other classes, conducting research, or working on publications. Talk to your professors about summer jobs. They might have a colleague or friend who is looking for some assistance on a project.

Alumni: Colleges and universities often keep careful track of their alumni including where they’re currently located, what they’re currently doing, and how to contact them. Find a few graduates in your area five to ten years older than you, and send them a quick email. They’ve been out in the “real world” for a while now and may know of a business that could use you for the summer.

Places to Go:

Career Development Office: Most colleges have a career center designed to assist students with things from choosing a major to finding a job. If your career councilor doesn’t know where you could spend your summer, they would have the best advice on where to look next.

Spreading the Word: 

Social Media: The more people who know you’re looking for something besides the donut shop this summer, the more likely you are to find someone who can help you out. By Facebook and Twittering your desire for a particular job, the audience hearing your message travels far beyond your two best friends and family. Let the world know you’re looking for something more.

Your Classmates: Send an email out to everyone in your major . Chances are, some of your classmates already have their foot in the door and wouldn’t mind helping someone else spend their summer gaining the same experience.

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