Often over-looked and underappreciated students represent a great opportunity for virtually for every kind of organization. For students: summer jobs are a way to earn extra money, save for school, to gain valuable experience, and to begin to establish their reputations. For organizations: hiring students can bring fresh energy and ideas, and it can be a great way to help your community. Make no mistake there is a steep learning curve on all sides; however, taking a moment and reviewing these eighteen tips may help make that curve a little less precipitous.
- For students: Apply early for summer jobs and don’t wait for opportunities to be posted. Talk to teachers, professors, friends, family, and ask about opportunities. For university students, looking for a summer job after Christmas is not too early. Consider asking the organization that you worked with the previous summer if you could come back before you return to school in the fall. High School students do the same thing. For students that have completed a co-op work term, consider asking that employer if you could come back the next summer or as a part-time student. Inquire and apply as soon as you can, many students wait until they are finished their semester to look for work and then find the competition is much greater.
- For employers: University students and high school students can be highly motivated and can make great contributions to your organization. Make sure you consider them for any positions you might have available.
- For students: Remember what is important for employers: reliability and attitude. Putting aside generational comments, your attitude towards the work an employer gives you is very important. You have to prove yourself and even if you feel the work provided may be beneath your skill set do it to the best of your ability. Everyone has to prove themselves before they receive more responsibility.
- For employers: Try to give students full-time hours during the summer. If you have students employed during the school year, balance the needs of the organization with their need to do well at school, this awareness will pay dividends for both parties. Senior level high school students and University students are working usually to save for school. They will give you better results if they do not have to juggle multiple part-time jobs.
- For students: Be prepared for employers to have negative attitudes about personal cell phone use. Listen to them and follow their policies.
- For employers: Be prepared to compromise on cell phones. Some employers are very draconian about allowing cell phones and it is understandable if heavy equipment or safety is an issue; for other roles, appreciate just how linked students are to their phones.
- For students: Come prepared to work, this might seem obvious, however, many students aren’t used to working for several hours at a time. Employers can forget that students don’t have years of previous work experience and some can be very impatient and generalize all students with the same brush.
- For employers: Pay your students the same wage you would anyone else doing the same job. Student minimum wage in Ontario is less than basic minimum wage; neither is enough in my opinion. Try to pay more, even 10-15% more will result in more of a feeling of connection and loyalty to you and your organization.
- For students: While a summer job is not likely going to be your career, make sure you treat it as if it was; it is for your co-workers and your employer.
- For employers: Take the time to develop and teach your students good work habits, give them responsibility, and make them part of your organization’s culture.
- For Students: Learn and watch how different elements of your organization work and don’t work together. All organizations have strengths and weaknesses, learn from the good examples and learn how to avoid copying the bad examples.
- For employers: Be very conscious of how students interact with your team, especially during the first few days. Watch for nervousness and for anyone that seems quiet and withdrawn, they may be struggling to adjust. How you “on-board” students can have long-lasting effects on their success or failure, regardless of age and ability. In the beginning, give students basic entry-level jobs to do and then introduce variety to challenge them and to keep them interested in their work. They are students, yes, but if they are engaged and feel involved with your team, everyone benefits.
- For Students: Ask people to teach you the “hidden rules” of their organization. Hidden rules are things that most people have learned, but seldom think about or mention to new associates. These “rules” can range from what is appropriate to wear to work, to when and how breaks are taken, and include things as simple as where to park their vehicles.
- For employers: Remember students are kids. They might have some experience; however, usually they will not know the things that older associates know. Be prepared for them to ask many questions, or to be thinking about asking many questions. Be patient and if they don’t ask questions, encourage them to do so. For students in their first job, anticipate that they will potentially need some hand holding.
- For students: Always do each job you are given to the very best of your ability, regardless of how basic the job you have been assigned. When you are finished a job, ask for more. Building your reputation as someone “who gets things done” will count towards getting a great reference in the future.
- For employers: The skill level of students can vary greatly from those experiencing their first jobs to university students in their twenties with a greater skill set. The appreciation of them as students is important, as is the avoidance of the possible stigma of them just being a “student” by your regular associates. It is a subtle nuance to be conscious of for you and your associates. For example, some students I have spoken to, say that they appreciate people realizing they are students, but some times feel that they cannot do the job they were hired to do because many people treat them like they are everyone’s “go-fors”.
- For students: Eat breakfast and lunch. Many students skip breakfast and/or lunch and it can make it difficult to focus for the entire workday and it can affect your performance.
- For employers: If you bring a student back each summer, make sure that you give them a salary increase. Many students will not feel comfortable asking for an increase because they may just be grateful for a job; however, they will work even harder for you if you recognize that they are not starting from zero, and that they have more experience and skills to offer than a brand-new person.
Good luck, hiring students is good for your business, good for your community, and it really helps them gain experience. It helps with everyone’s future.