Summer Jobs! Options

[FluteDiva!!]

I was just wondering if anybody has any ideas for summer jobs? I've tried all the music shops I can think of, with little success, and I'm a bit stuck as to what to try next. Aside from the general supermarket-type jobs that are becoming increasingly more difficult to get hold of, has anybody got any more unusual suggestions? Thanks for your help!
FluteDiva!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/flute.gif)

[Caroline :)]

I've got a similar problem. I've been trying to find some work for the summer to get some money before I go to uni, but i've only got 4 consecutive weeks when i'm actually at home so nobody will employ me because of my limited availability!
My friend's in the same boat so we decided that if neither of us have any success, we're going to go busking to try and get a bit of money!! It's always an option, and i'm sure it's a lot more fun than stacking shelves!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) xxx

[Miss Ross]

I'll do my dutiful bit and suggest that you avoid hardware shops. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I'm covering other people's holidays in a relatively small hardware shop and there's just so much to learn! Thankfully no-one is on holiday for the next fortnight so I am instead! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I'm also working some evenings in an old-fashioned sweet shop which is really enjoyable. One of the main benefits is that once you've been there for a few hours the sweets don't appeal any more. At one point last week I was out from 9am - 10pm with just half an hour for tea in the evening, so I'd advise you not to take on too much at once.

When I was looking for a second job though, I too found that there were barely any supermarket jobs going, apart from the really gruesome bakery hours. I did ask a local recruitment agency and they had a few ideas for students - could you try something like that?

[mwl1]

Learn the organ. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

*runs*

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

I'm afraid my vocational advice isn't very good... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[crazy_purple_piano_freak]

Yeah um ... my problem:

I finish exams on the 23rd june and go on holiday from the 30th for july 21st, but when i get back I'd like to get a job and work until I go to uni in September.

I've never had a paying job before, just odd bits of volunteering so I've no idea whether it's best to start looking/asking in the week before I go on hols, or to leave it until I get back? (I'm scared that coz the school hols will properly have started by then therewon't be many vacancies?)

<3

[Miss Ross]

CPPF - Maybe you could look around, and ask places if there might be any vacancies coming up over the summer? If they think there might be, ask to leave your details/CV with them and go back to check when you come back from your holiday. Just an idea! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[ukjason]

Stacking shelves isn't the most exciting of jobs, but I worked with a well known supermarket for three years and I can't quibble about the pay. It is usually pretty good. You just have to be lucky when you go in to enquire about availability. It can change from week to week as you only need to give a weeks notice to leave. So if nothing's available yet, check back next week.

I worked in the bakery as well, and 5am starts pay off - as between 10pm and 6am you get night pay which adds a little more to your pay packet. I used to find them fun as well as I had the whole bakery to myself and as we had a CD player in there I could listen loudly to whatever I wanted to wake me up.

[Roseau]

Stately homes which are only open for the summer. They pay people to sit in each room and make sure tourists don't touch anything. Not very exciting (although you will probably get to visit bits of the house the tourists don't) but it is also not very taxing and you can read if there aren't too many people.

[freda_bloogs]

What about Eurocamp or other such organisations?

[lottie]

Sometimes when you're young, holiday jobs with real 'work experience' or cerebral input are hard to find so it's best to approach it with simpler gains. Like raising a little money for college and learning a little about real life from colleagues etc.

So don't look down on stacking shelves etc because you could learn a lot from what may appear to be the most mundane jobs - who knows what your future will hold and summer jobs are still valuable experience.

Try Hotels for chambermaiding, shops like M&S, John Lewis and other large stores, for holiday cover. If you can type try employment agencies (I used to get holiday contracts that were sometimes only a few days long but gave me an insight into dozens of different company work procedures). Try local government for temporary clerical work in all departments, garden/parks maintenance if you like outdoors, or catering. If you're old enough try local pubs for bar work and restaurants for waitressing/waitering. I worked in a laundry factory, a bakery, and a coffee shop and dozens of different offices and they were rich experiences in everything from people skills to essay/report writing. My best temporary holiday job was as a PA to a millionaire - but I landed that due to my skills gained in other jobs. And yes, I kept up my music practice too.

Or there's always babysitting, or giving free or cheap music lessons to local kids.

If you don't need money then approach companies and offer yourself free - you might only get photocopying work but it could be for some of the most inspiring companies you would never normally consider as future employers. Start with the yellow pages and look up places you would like experience with.

It might take leg-work but it beats sitting feeling undervalued and Universities (and music colleges) still admire diversity and resourcefulness.

If you absolutely can't find anything then use the time to teach yourself to type (easy if you're a pianist). I was never out of a job at Uni because I could work a till, type fast and photocopy, and happily turn my hand to anything without finding it degrading. Money and skills are good things!

Good luck.

[Morgan's Munchkin]

Try the connexions website and look in your area. I looked on there on the offchance of finding something, and found the most fantastic job!!

[benson]

i have been searching for a part-time job for a few weeks and it looks like i have a chance of getting one at a nearby restaurant. tomorrow i am "having a word" with the person offering the job... but the only thing is, although i am 18 (almost 19) i look really young. most people start of thinking that i'm 13 or something. are there any ways to make oneself look older (realistically - not wigs or wrinkles or facepaint or a zimmer frame...)?

[PianoSecrets-x]

I just got a job in the HSBC for the summer, and all other school holidays. Maybe you could look in banks? I have a friend who works in the Abbey National, and one in the Halifax, and i think they pay pretty well ....

[Mad Tom]

First you have to be clear why you want a job:

1. To make some money ?
2. To get general experience of working life and reality ?
3. To get experience in some specific skill or field of work ?
4. To have fun ?

[FluteDiva!!]

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) The main reasons I would like a job is to show future employers or universities that I was able to find a job and that I wasn't lazy in between exams and so on. I'm making some progress as I now have a work experience for a week, and I've sent off a letter and CV to numerous places. Hopefully I'll get a reply soon... Thanks again
FluteDiva! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/flute.gif)