<p>"As for resumes, I don’t know whether “Volunteered at ABC” looks as good as “Paid Position at XYZ”</p>
<p>Looking at my son’s resume, I don’t know that they have to break that one down. He just has the jobs that he worked at (most were paid internships, one was not). Nowhere does he mention that it was unpaid, and I don’t think withholding that information is unethical unless someone asks.</p>
<p>I was surprised to learn that Apple/Google started interviewing for this summer’s internship positions last fall. That means that some college kids got their summer jobs lined up before Xmas. How can we expect our kids to plan/prepare like that?</p>
<p>I guess we just tell them to do the same thing. If you want one of those elite jobs, put in the application early in the fall and try to interview then. Though I’m sure those companies continue to interview later into the winter. One of the job offers my son got, they told him he had to accept/reject the job by sometime in November, which was way too early, because it was his backup. He ended up turning it down before having something else in hand, which is a dicey position to be in. Luckily it turned out well for him, but that could have been a big mistake.</p>
<p>Many companies recruit summer interns in the Fall. My son’s school already had upcoming Fall On-Campus-Recruitment postings for 2013 Summer Internships. The early bird gets the worm.</p>
<p>My teens found their summer jobs on Craigslist… but they began looking in February. It took several months for them to secure seasonal employment. Starting the search early, persistence and a little luck seemed to make the difference for them. I hope your son is able to capitalize on opportunities somehow - best of luck.</p>
<p>I also think “volunteered at” looks better than nothing, but try to have it be regular. My daughter worked 2-3 days at week at Ronald McDonald House and sometimes when she’d say she really didn’t have to go in one week, I told her too…if they call them, it shows a good work ethic.
She would get a bit stymied on some online applications, because it would say salary received and you couldn’t leave it blank…so she would have to put “0”. Some applications she filled out had volunteer opportunities separate.</p>
<p>I just wonder what these employers are looking for. Some never bother to call my son for an interview. Those who’ve interviewed him, what is it that they ask that they can’t see he is capable of doing the job? </p>
<p>He comes from a family that has a good work ethic. He has his own transportation. He is able to learn new things and retain what he knows. He is a nice looking kid, smart in school, always personable. I realize teachers aren’t employers, but his teachers were always very happy with his school performance, his ability to get along with others. In fact, his calculus teacher wrote him a wonderful letter of recommendation for college and one thing she stated was that others in his class sought out his opinion on matters. </p>
<p>Maybe son is still learning how to ‘sell’ himself. At least he’s gaining interviewing skills.</p>
<p>Referral by people who know you is a good way to get job.
My D got a job during the summer in 11th grade by her friend’s referral after 3 unsuccessful job applications.
My S got a job during the summer before college by referral of a person who knew him in his circle in a summer party in June.</p>
<p>The jobs lasted more than a year.</p>
<p>Ask your S to send email to people who know him.</p>
<p>Sadly, that seems to be the only way sometimes and if your son or daughter doesn’t have friends working or in jobs that are hiring, it’s tough.
I know some managers (not close enough in distance to plead for my kid) that told me sometimes your child is overqualified. I was saying years ago, that my son at the time would be a much better worker than most I saw in this store, had all the traits mentioned in above post, very good work ethic, didn’t drink, no hangovers and made up excuses on weekends…and he said “but they leave, we know who will stay”. You train students and they leave in 2 months or when the first better job comes…some stay because that is the best job.
Kind of depressing, but I saw his point in a way…but certain jobs lend themselves to be summer jobs and that’s different.
He also had promises to call and they didn’t, he would call and leave messages, it’s just a game some play, not having the skills to just say “I’ll let you know, not I’ll call”.</p>
<p>It’s a very tough economy out there. internship is better than nothing . . . if you can afford the gas to get to work!</p>
<p>For a while we used to live in a small town in the midwest, where as a college student I couldn’t find any job either, although I wasn’t as persistent as your son and gave up after only a few tries. What seriously deterred me was when I stopped by a fast food restaurant one day to hand in a physical copy of their waiter job application and saw that the manager already had an entire stack of apps on his desk! :eek:</p>
<p>Even if your son doesn’t find a job at all, it’s honestly not the worst case scenario. Before you know it, his schedule will booked with classes and job/internships and he’ll be off and away. This summer can be a bit of family bonding and relaxing with your son home the whole time- for what might very well be the last time.</p>
<p>I joined Care.com, a website that let me connect with families in my area who were looking for childcare. Lots of families need childcare over the summer because while the parents are still working, the kids aren’t in school. After applying for lots of those babysitting jobs, I finally found a family who wanted to hire me, and I am now watching the kids for about 30 hours a week. Your son might want to try that.</p>
<p>^^ Along those lines, one of the things my D is doing this summer is serving as Grandparent Errand-Runner. My parents are paying her an hourly rate plus mileage to do some of the gofering that I normally do. This week alone, she did four separate errands for them and she’ll pick up $100. Not as much as the former summer job, but it’s something. As a bonus, this is giving me a nice break from all that.</p>
<p>I think Care.com also has elder services, although I don’t know if it includes errand-running or cleaning/yard services. But students could certainly ask around among family, neighbors, church friends, etc. to see if there’s a senior who could use a hand for the summer.</p>
<p>If I remember correctly Carnegie Mellon had a big recruiting fair in the fall and then another in February. Freshman year my son missed the boat, but the next year he was more in the loop. I know for my younger son, (in IR), any internship that required a security clearance had fall due dates. You can’t just look for jobs when you are done with finals. That’s way, way too late.</p>
<p>The best time to start looking is the first week of the Fall term. You should get yourself familiar with the Career Services, the resources available there, the job postings and companies that are coming. Get ready for the big Fall Career Fair. You can do all this in the first week before you get busy with your school work.</p>
<p>Several of my former students are working as nannies/babysitters this summer as a way to earn money for school. Also, check with your school district. Often it could be hiring kids to help with painting, repairing textbooks, etc. The parks and rec department sometimes has classes to offer but needs people who can teach them.</p>
<p>Such great suggestions.
xrCalico, what you say about family bonding is so true, I agree with you. I have some health issues, so we are doubly aware that time together as a family is well-spent.</p>
<p>Debruns, I know what you’re saying about ‘overqualified’. Son applied for a manufacturing job he’d have loved to get. He was interviewed and given a tour of the facilities. Never heard from them, even though he followed up on the interview with a letter and several phone calls. I know several of the people they hired, and none are real go-getters. So it makes me wonder.</p>
<p>I like the idea of Care.com. Son did (required) volunteering this year at school with kids at a homeless shelter. It was an insightful experience for him.</p>
<p>My son did begin looking for internships early in the spring. As stated, most places wanted juniors/seniors. But I don’t think either of us realized that you need to start as early as the fall to apply for them. I most definitely will recommend that to him, and I know he will get on it as soon as he can. He also went to the spring job fair at his school, and he’s been looking for work since at least April because he got out of school the first week of May.</p>
<p>Most of the problems are due to oversupply of workers. </p>
<p>"Those who’ve interviewed him, what is it that they ask that they can’t see he is capable of doing the job? " - The issue is probably that there are MANY capable applicants, and perhaps some of them are able to continue working during the school year.</p>
<p>That seemed to be a big thing with a lot of places that I didn’t see as much when I was younger, they loved temp help then whether summer or holiday. When my daughter asked a gentleman that managed a fast food place, why keep employees that are late all the time, text when working, etc. he said, “you know what you have” and better employees don’t stay. When my son wanted to go back to a store he worked at sophomore year in addition to another part time job, they were surprised…they figured he had his fill and would move on. He liked the hours, knew what to expect and was grateful they gave him a chance when so many doors stayed closed.</p>
<p>My son, a rising college sophomore, had an internship fall through so revived his IT business from last year. Not only does he do computer repairs he also advises people on what kind of computer is right for them and then sets them up. He offers one on one classes for adults in microsoft programs and he goes to their homes. Generally this is word of mouth, but he’s been fortunate to have a job a week so that keeps him busy.</p>
<p>As far as volunteering vs. a paying job, a better question might be volunteering vs. …nothing? There are different ways to write a resume and emphasizing a skill set instead of job experience would play up volunteer skills. [resume</a> sample](<a href=“http://www.flytowest.com/resume/9.htm]resume”>http://www.flytowest.com/resume/9.htm)</p>