Whether you are looking to earn extra money or gain experience, a summer job offers the opportunity for you to do both. As with most jobs, seeking summer employment will usually require a resume. Creating a resume that will help you to obtain a summer job is a valuable use of your time; once you have gotten a summer job it may lead to future opportunities as well.

This blog post will cover:

• Creating a resume for summer employment
• Skills and abilities to highlight when seeking a summer job
• Preparing a cover letter to complement your resume

Creating a Resume for Summer Employment

Creating a resume for summer employment is similar to creating a resume for employment in general. Many individuals seeking summer employment are currently students or recent graduates. It is a good idea to mention any coursework that is relevant to the job you are applying for.

For example, you have taken an elective on child development. Should you be applying for a summer job as a camp counselor, having taken this class will make you an attractive applicant for the position. Make sure to note on your resume the class that you took and some key points that you learned from it. For a sample of a resume for a camp counselor, click here.

Consider any school activities that you have participated in and whether they are relevant to the job you are applying for. Perhaps you were an active member of the garden club at your school. This will be important to note on your resume when you are applying for a landscaping position.

You will also want to include relevant volunteer experience. Perhaps you volunteered serving food at a food bank. An employer seeking to hire someone to work in food service will feel comfortable knowing that you have experience in the area that they are looking to hire for.

Make sure to proofread your resume. Have a friend or family member take a look to be sure that you did not miss any errors. They may also have ideas of additional things to include.

There is a lot to know about creating a resume for summer employment. For more information on resume writing in general, click here.

Skills and Abilities to Highlight when Seeking a Summer Job

Whether or not you have a lot of work experience, there are skills and abilities that you may want to highlight on your resume as you look for a summer job.

Communication skills are a great example and they are relevant for many job opportunities. You may have gained written or verbal communication skills in school or during past employment. Highlight these on your resume.

Perhaps you are applying for a summer job working in an office. Technical skills may be very important for the job. You will want to include any technical skills that you have developed that may be relevant to the job. Let’s say you took a class on Microsoft Office. You will want to include on your resume that you are proficient in the Microsoft Office suite. This will help you to stand out from other job applicants.

Highlighting skills and abilities that you have that are relevant to the job you are applying for will help you to stand out from other applicants, showing the potential employer what you can offer to the position.  Click here for skills employers look for on your resume.

Preparing a Cover Letter to Complement your Resume

When applying for a summer job, it is important to prepare a cover letter that will add value to your application. This is the first impression that the potential employer will have of your application and putting forth some effort on the cover letter can make it a good one.

Your cover letter is the place to include information that may not be on your resume and is an opportunity to point out to the employer the things that make you an ideal candidate for the job. It is important to focus on how your experience, skills and abilities can help meet the needs of the employer. Let the employer know why you are the person for the job.

As in any cover letter, you will want to use the proper format. For tips on cover letter format, click here.  You will also want to proofread your cover letter. Having a friend or family member proofread the cover letter is a great way to make sure you did not miss anything.

To see sample resumes and cover letters for a summer job, click here. To learn more about child labor laws and work permits in the state where you live, click here.

So, what do you think about creating a resume for a summer job?  Do you agree with what was said above?  Comment below to let us know!