With warmer weather upon us, now is a great time to begin searching for a new job. Maybe you’re unemployed, a recent graduate or the increase in sunlight has inspired you to make a career change. Whatever your reason, follow along to find success in your summer job search!

Step 1: Create a job-hunting objective

A job-hunting objective is a formal statement that specifies your job-hunting goals. This should include your timeline, role specifications, and job-hunting strategy. Note what things are ‘must haves’ and what things are ‘would be nice’ items. By having a specified objective, you can quickly identify what roles are worth your time in applying for. Here’s an example job hunting objective statement:

“I want to search and apply for a new role during the summer. The role must be within walking distance of my home (i.e., max 30 minutes walking), pay at least $25.50/hour, and offer flexibility with my school schedule. I would ideally like a role that starts in September, is in the customer service sector, is part-time or auxiliary, and has a collaborative environment.”

Step 2: Create a plan

Now that you have your job-hunting objective, create a clear plan to achieve this goal. Schedule time in the week to search for and apply for jobs. Even if it is a few hours here and there, having something in your calendar to follow is crucial. It also helps to treat job hunting like a part-time job. This helps you to approach it as something you need to do actively versus passively.

Step 3: Prep your materials

Nothing is worse than finding a great job to apply to, only to realize that the application deadline is quickly approaching! Avoid this feeling by compiling and creating ‘base’ versions of your application resources before you officially begin your job hunt! Then, with each new job, you can take less time to edit the pre-existing document to suit the needs of that specific job application. Here are some resources you should compile:

• Base resume
• Base cover letter
• Reference list*
• Work samples**

*Don’t give out your reference’s information to a prospective job before (1) you have completed your interview, and (2) you confirmed with your reference that it’s okay to give their information out.

**Work samples are any examples of your work that showcase your experience and skills. Examples:

• Email samples
• Presentation PowerPoints
• Reports
• Writing samples
• Articles
• School assignments

Check out CharityVillage’s FREE job seeker handbook for great resume, cover letter, and other job hunting strategies.

Step 4: Create job alerts

You never know when jobs that fit your job-hunting objective will get posted. So, create job alerts to have new jobs emailed to you automatically. For organizations that don’t have alerts, such as the career pages on nonprofit websites, set a time each week to review them. You can make this process easier by compiling links to all the websites of organizations that interest you in a document or spreadsheet, which you can review weekly for new job openings.

Did you know that CharityVillage allows you to make job alerts?! Find a job on CharityVillage here.

Step 5: Network

Summer is a great time for making connections. There are lots of opportunities to meet with friends and professional acquaintances. Explore online event calendars and networking platforms for professional or social events in your area. Not only will this be a good opportunity to meet new people, but because many roles are never posted online, it is also a great chance to gain insight into new job opportunities you may not have otherwise heard about.

Step 6: Build your current skills

Professional development comes in all shapes and sizes. Some include:

• Conferences
• Workshops
• Speakers
• Webinars
• Podcasts
• Guides
• Educational videos
• Mentorship
• eLearning
• Courses
• Post-secondary classes
• Volunteering

By growing your skillset, you will not only boost your resume, but also gain some much-needed confidence and self-assurance!

Step 7: Practice self-care

Summer, for many people, is enjoyed as a time for taking a break, resting, and getting outdoors. Therefore, try to not overdo the pressure of job hunting. Go for a walk, enjoy a good book, visit the beach, or have a yummy treat! Little things like this will help to ensure your mind is not totally consumed by your job search. You deserve it!

Final Thoughts

Job hunting can feel like an overwhelming experience. With never-ending postings, emails, and applications, the thought of beginning your search for a new role can seem daunting. However, with the right planning and preparation, job hunting this summer doesn’t have to be so scary!