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Be strategic in your summer job search. Target jobs that will help you test out a career, and build your skills and your network in your chosen field.
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Start early! Many employers’ deadlines for recruiting are in January/February.
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Remember that not all jobs are posted. The hidden job market is alive and well so look for both advertised and un-advertised jobs. When looking for un-advertised jobs, here are a couple of tips:
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Network: let everyone know you are looking for work
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Contact employers directly by phone, e-mail, LinkedIn or in person
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Use social media – follow companies on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook to hear about summer opportunities and deadlines.
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Consider being your own boss by starting a business - funding may be available.
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Last but not least, visit Careerspace for help with your résumé, cover letter and interview prep.
Qualities Employers Look for
Of course, employers value “experience”, but many summer students just don’t have it. Do employers hire students without experience? Yes - employers are also interested in your skills from school, extra-curriculars, and volunteer work. Show that you have some of the key qualities all employers are looking for and highlight them on your resume:
- Great attitude and work ethic
- Teamwork and communication
- Ability to work independently
- Problem solving
- Motivation to learn
- Reliable and honest
Some Common Job Areas
- Hospitality (restaurants, resorts, hotels)
- Offices (government agencies, private companies and non-profit organizations)
- Labour (construction, landscaping)
- Recreation, arts, culture (summer camps, museums and heritage organizations)
- Personal Services (childcare)
- Outdoor (provincial parks, garden centres)
Contacting Employers
Develop your own script to talk to employers:
“Hi. My name is Lee and I am a third year student at Trent. With my background in environmental studies and my experience working outdoors, I’m now really interested in working as a field technician. I wanted to find out when you begin your summer hiring and was hoping to come in to introduce myself.”
Government Opportunities
Federal
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Federal Student Work Experience Program - Provides summer positions with Federal Departments and Agencies. Search FSWEP on the Government of Canada website.
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Young Canada Works - Opportunities available for returning students and graduating students. There is a special focus on heritage and language.
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Explore Program – A five-week French-language bursary program. Check out: myexplore.ca
Provincial
- Summer Employment Opportunities – Offers a variety of positions across many sections with the Ontario Government www.ontario.ca/careers
- Summer Company Program - Supports students in running their own business. For more info, search “start a summer company” on the Government of Ontario website.
Municipal/Regional
- Check city, town, region and county websites for summer hiring programs
- Apply early! Local levels of government usually hire for summer positions in January
Target Your Online Search
Check industry specific job boards. For example, environmental jobs can be found at workcabin.ca and goodwork.ca.
You can find cultural and arts postings at workinculture.ca and not-for profit jobs at charityvillage.com.
For other ideas, check out “What Can I do with My Degree” on the Careerspace website, and our Links page.
Use meta search sites such as eluta.ca, indeed.ca, wowjobs.ca and simplyhired.ca.
jobbank.gc.ca – Canada-wide job board - In March/April this will be the job board where student job opportunities with the Canada Summer Jobs program will be posted.
A career site for students and new grads - talentegg.ca
Outcome Campus Connect - Job Board specifically for post-secondary students
trentu.ca/sep - Trent’s Job Board
Workforce Development Board wdb.ca/jobs - Peterborough Job Board
Peterborough and Area
Find Employment Service Providers and Youth Employment Services in your area:
Find lists of employers in your area and contact them directly:
- Peterborough Chamber of Commerce
- Peterborough Economic Development
- Not for Profits & Community Supports:
Oshawa/Durham
Find Employment Service Providers and Youth Employment Services in the Oshawa/Durham area:
- YMCA Durham Employment Pickering/Ajax
- John Howard Society of Durham Region
- Oshawa Community Employment Services
Find lists of employers in the Oshawa/Durham area and contact them directly:
Looking for a youth employment agency in another area?
Employment Ontario Service Providers can be found at: ontario.ca/page/employment-ontario