Help wanted: Complete newbie at applying for summer jobs ==>

[chickenpop]

Having just finished VCE (yay!) I need to get a summer job now (aww). Problem is, I have no clue where to start.

I've got my resume, so do I just go to a shopping center and hand it in to every store? Or should I only go for the ones with the 'wanted' signs outside? Also, the manager often isn't actually in the store, only one or two young employees. Am I suppose to tell them that I want a job here and trust them to hand the resume over to the owner?

Any tips would be much appreciated! 

[carolynt]

You should have applied earlier!

I just did an interview at Woolies, which was quite fun and I have another coming up despite still having my last exam on Wednesday.

I suggest actually to look through your CV quite thoroughly before you even think of applying. I say that as I have revised 3 CVs in the past week and now I can start to see what employers want/don't want when comparing theirs with mine.

Generally, many franchises such as Woolworths, MacDonalds and Hoyts are not hard to get into if you are young. They look for young people who can easily be swayed into working their desired hours, and are quite underpaid. I am assuming you are 16-19, having just finished VCE so the competition may be a little tougher.

In addition to this, I think you should apply online. Your application is permanently there - they cannot throw that away and forget about you, unless of course, they have rejected. In that case, reassess yourself. You should apply everywhere, yes, but change your CV to suit your purpose.

Happy job hunting!

[Russ]

Mmm, best time to apply was probably about 4 weeks ago, because most companies are now doing interviews and stuff for christmas casual work. (ie December and January). You might still be able to find some major department stores willing to accept your CV; call them, ask to speak to the manager and ask. Be polite, offer to come in that day to drop off your CV etc.

Summer jobs are the worst because there's huge competition from all the students finishing and the stores know that they'll be able to find people to fill bad shifts etc.

If you can handle it, consider working full time until the end of Feb, rather than casual shifts.

I've got my resume, so do I just go to a shopping center and hand it in to every store? Or should I only go for the ones with the 'wanted' signs outside?

Every store. All they can say is "sorry, not interested". There should be someone senior-ish there, just ask for them. If not, leave a copy and hope it gets to them.

[Fyrefly]

Handing your resume into places where they're not advertising for staff is called "cold calling". If you're eager, then I suggest you go for it. Also, you've really no choice but to trust the staff. If you can figure out when the manager works, it *would* be better to go in well-presented and be able to hand it to him/her personally, but sometimes that's not a realistic option.

Umm... A lot of the bigger places recruit online. For instance, the entire Woolworths chain do this (eg. Dick Smith, Big W, Dan Murphy's, Woolworths). Maybe spend some time googling?

Also, unfortunately carolynt is correct... it would've been best if you'd applied sooner. That's okay though - you'll still find plenty of places that are hiring.

What sort of jobs were you thinking about applying for? It sounds like you've got a particular store in mind already. It's important that you apply to heaps of places though - it's normal to get plenty of rejections before you find yourself with an acceptance.

[Fyrefly]

I've got my resume, so do I just go to a shopping center and hand it in to every store? Or should I only go for the ones with the 'wanted' signs outside?

Every store. All they can say is "sorry, not interested". There should be someone senior-ish there, just ask for them. If not, leave a copy and hope it gets to them.

This is good advice too, and is the sort of thing I was talking about - the worst they can do it say no. In saying that though, you'd best print off a shitload of resumes, but when you go into a store to hand a resume in, HAVE THE OTHER COPIES HIDDEN. You don't want a manager to see that you're applying everywhere, and you don't actually take any particular interest in their store.

[chickenpop]

Thanks for all the great advice guys, very helpful

I don't have a particular store in mind, I'd pretty much work anywhere

I've started submitting my CV online to whatever I can find, going to go to two shopping centers tomorrow and just go into every store

[carolynt]

Thanks for all the great advice guys, very helpful

I don't have a particular store in mind, I'd pretty much work anywhere

I've started submitting my CV online to whatever I can find, going to go to two shopping centers tomorrow and just go into every store

No cover letter?