How to Get That Vacation Job

Landing a vacation job is great sport and can be a successful venture if a person will give to it at least as much thought as he does to preparing for a week-long campout.

How does one go about it? Even though each person is unique, here are some ideas that work for just about everybody:

Start early. Begin just as soon as your plans are set. Christmas and Easter vacations are good times to find out what’s available and begin applying.

Prepare a résumé. If you are seeking a professional, technical, administrative, or managerial job, you will need a résumé to give to your prospective employer. One is also needed in applying for many clerical and sales positions. An effective résumé gets your foot in the door and often leads to personal interviews that you might not otherwise have.

Type your résumé, including your name, address, phone number, age, sex, schooling (which includes your extracurricular activities), type and level of training, job description of past employment, and the types of jobs you are now qualified to do. As you gain new experience, update the contents accordingly. At least three references should be included, and they should first be contacted for their cooperation in responding to calls for information about you.

You may need anywhere from two to two hundred copies, depending on the type of job you seek, the supply and demand in your field, and the geographic area you wish to cover in your job hunt. To avoid passing out carbon copies, have it printed or copied on a copying machine.

Apply for interviews. Remember, competition is stiff. The first impression will mean a great deal, so be on time. Clean clothes, neat hair, fresh appearance—all of these help.

The employer will want to know all about you, so have your résumé ready to give to him and discuss the items he asks you about. Use your best English. Smile! And speak up!

If possible, and when practical, learn as much as you can about each company at which you’re applying and suggest some ways you can be of service to the firm.

A number of publications are available to help you research a company. Most of them can be found in any good-sized college or public library. Among the most helpful U.S. publications are these:

1. College Placement Directory, by Zimmerman and Levine. A listing of employment agencies and personnel services in higher education.

2. College Placement Annual, College Placement Publications Council. Occupational needs anticipated by corporate and governmental employers who normally recruit college graduates, and vocational information normally expected to be of value to the senior in his assessment of career opportunities.

3. Thomas’ Register of American Manufacturers.

4. Moody’s Industrial Manual for 1970. The most comprehensive source of information on industrial corporations and enterprises.

5. MacRae’s Blue Book. Indexes of companies listed alphabetically by name and address, and listing of capital ratings, trade names, and products. Available in four volumes.

6. Standard and Poor Corporation Records. Indexes of corporations, including descriptions, news items, cross-references of subsidiaries, merged companies, and changes in names.

7. Poor’s Register of Corporations, Directors, and Executives. The first such national directory in the United States, with numerous management changes and corporation realignments under way and in prospect.

8. Dun and Bradstreet Reference Book. Listings of businesses by country, state, and city.

9. Company annual reports. Financial data, products and/or services, and areas of operation.

Keep the job you get. The first day is the best time to show your employer that you have the right idea about working. Report on time. Keep a steady pace and do the job the safe way. Learn safe work practices and follow instructions carefully in order to avoid accidents. The boss and experienced workers regard reckless habits as stupid. Practice being a good listener; don’t be afraid to ask questions; and most important of all, carry out the instructions given to you.