Tips for students on the hunt for work
Like many university-aged students, Luke Greener had a job lined up for summer working in the hospitality industry.
Then, in the blink of an eye, provincial shutdowns happened and the Port Williams, N.S., man found himself laid off as quickly as he was hired.
The thought of not having a job for the summer was a source of stress.
“I’m living in the city next year, and I would love to have enough money saved to live there comfortably,” he says.
Boredom — and the idea of having nothing to do all summer — was also daunting, especially after having done his first year of university studies entirely online. He was excited to have a job and finally get out of those.
Things were pretty uncertain for Greener for a while, not knowing if he would be able to go back, and if so, the number of hours he would get.
Luckily, since then, restrictions in Nova Scotia have been lifting, and he is working almost full-time hours.
FEWER JOBS?
The stress of summertime employment is being felt by many high school and university-aged students around Atlantic Canada.
“Getting people back to work is crucial for the province’s post-pandemic economic recovery,” says Gerry Byrne, minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills for Newfoundland and Labrador.
The staff at PEI Career Development Services (CDS) say there is guarded optimism in terms of employment as the economy slowly rebounds, and believe there is a strong employment outlook for individuals seeking summer employment on the Island.
Although there is no concrete data available, Lyndi Goulden, a summer student intern working as an information resource specialist and youth employment outreach worker at the Kentville, N.S., Works Centre, says it does seem, anecdotally, that the number of summer jobs available for students is a bit lower than NON-COVID years. .
Goulden largely attributes this to the impacts COVID has had on the tourism industry, foodservice and the retail service sector, and that tends to be where a lot of students are employed.
“We will likely not see much growth in that sector until it is deemed safe enough to open up beyond our province and Atlantic provinces,” she says.
This doesn’t mean there aren’t summer jobs available.
All businesses are eager to reopen and make up for lost time during the recent Nova Scotia lockdown, Goulden says, and they need dedicated, hardworking staff to make sure that reopening goes smoothly.
Right now, the restrictions in Nova Scotia are limiting the number of persons who can be in a building and therefore limiting employers’ ability to hire, she says.
But, as gathering limits continue to change and as we move through the summer and the phases of the provincial reopening plan, more summer job opportunities will open up, says Goulden.
To help encourage the hiring of students, Byrne says the Newfoundland government has increased funding and flexibility for student employment programs in response to the unique challenges created by COVID. This change will help to create 600 additional jobs, securing summer employment for 1,600 students, he says. Eligibility has now newly expanded to include part-time employment, says Byrne.
Richard May, executive director of the Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC) in the Nortip office based in Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula, acknowledges that there are many anecdotal stories about students having a hard time finding employment. He points out that although there are fewer jobs in tourism-specific businesses, not every restaurant or take-out is tourism-dependent. There are some that serve the local traffic and visitors are a bonus, he says.
These establishments are having difficulty finding enough workers. There are many retail stores and services that are not directly related to tourism, says May.
TIPS FOR STUDENT JOB HUNTS
“My biggest advice for students seeking summer employment is to use all resources to their full advantage and not to wait and let opportunities pass you by,” says Goulden.
This means starting early. The CDS points out that while it’s easy to be consumed by the grind of school, the most successful job searchers begin their quest for summer employment weeks, even months, in advance.
Next, do your research and prepare well. There are many programs to assist students with finding a job and CDS recommends contacting an employment services office in your area for information and support.
Part of this preparation is having a strong resume, outlining previous work history and the skills you offer an employer.
Once ready, Goulden says the moment you see an employment opportunity advertised, look into it.
“If it suits you and you meet the criteria, apply as soon as possible, because you can always deny it if you change your mind, but you do not want to miss out on an opportunity,” she says.
Use the internet and social media to your advantage, adds Goulden.
“Students are very capable when it comes to technology, especially after pandemic online schooling, so it is important to put that knowledge to work,” she says.
Facebook, for example, has an entire section dedicated to job postings in which job seekers can specify their interests and they will receive notifications when a related job is posted, making it an incredibly simple yet effective way to seek jobs.
Networking is also important, whether in person or online, adds the CDS. You never know what contacts you will make. Be sure to let friends, family, and those in your circle of contacts know you are looking for a job
BUILD YOUR RESUME
Janet Macdonald of mycampusgps Education Consulting in Halifax, N.S., has spent the past five years helping high school students find and apply for scholarships.
Whether or not students are working this summer, she says high school students in grades 10 and 11, especially, should be building their resumes, especially through volunteer experience.
“Students will qualify for many more scholarships if they have volunteer experience,” she says.
Other ways to qualify for scholarships include engaging in meaningful volunteer activities, doing something you enjoy and has some meaning to you.
“The best kind of experience is leadership in a volunteer role. Take on a role of responsibility or initiate an activity where you are helping others,” says Macdonald.
Goulden also recommends students spend time this summer improving a skill like writing, photography, music or computer programming; starting a fundraiser for a local non-profit; starting a blog or even taking free online courses to familiarize yourself with software like Microsoft Word or Excel. She suggests checking out Skills online NS for resources.
“All extracurriculars have value, they market your unique skill set and personality to employers,” says Goulden.
Earning credentials — like lifeguarding certificates, Duke of Edinburgh, Royal Conservatory of Music, or any kinds of awards — are good to round out your resume, adds Macdonald. Paid work is also great, but funders know it’s a difficult thing for students to get right now.
Many students are finding ways to contribute to their community, says Macdonald, but it might take a bit more searching and being creative.
“It will be the people who don’t let obstacles stop them who will really stand out on applications,” she says.
Although summer job seeking has looked a bit different over the past two summers doesn’t mean there aren’t student jobs out there. It is important to set aside time every day that you dedicate to tidying up your resume, scouring job sites, writing cover letters and most importantly, applying.
“It takes time and effort,” says Goulden. “Job seeking is like a job in itself.”