Published: June 4, 2018
Summer is just around the corner, and while it can be tempting to spend all of it with your friends having fun or sitting in the house watching Netflix, it can also be a great time to improve your employability. There are many ways to do this during the summer break and what's more, most of them can be great fun and earn you valuable experience!
1. Secure work experience or a summer internship
Securing some work experience over the summer will provide you with invaluable experience, help you find out what you want to do as a career and provide experience for your CV! It’s a good way to spend your time during summer productively.
2. Write your CV early on
Spend time over the summer polishing your CV and making sure you’re not leaving any gaps. I went to Sunderland Futures, based in the Gateway at City Campus and they helped me so much with my CV, especially how to structure it and which bits to include and to take out. Remember employers will only look at the first two pages of a CV, so include your most valuable experience on the first page.
3. Get networking
Start building a list of contacts now, so that you will be aware of job opportunities and when they arise. Attending networking events is also a good way of meeting people in the industry you want a career in. Even bringing your own business cards is a good way of letting people know who you are and what you have to offer.
4 Get yourself a part-time job
Even a Saturday job will help develop your confidence, give you independence and will help you gain experience in the real world. It also helps you earn that bit of cash. However, if it continues into your next year of study, remember to balance your work and lifestyle.
5 Clean up your social accounts
Employers also look at how you represent yourself online and a future employer will not be impressed looking at unprofessional photos on your social media accounts. You can start by setting your profiles to private or even go the extra mile and create professional social media accounts alongside your personal one! You will thank yourself in the long run!
Check out what Sunderland Futures has to offer students and graduates for more great tips on boosting your employability.
Topic: Advice and tips, Student lifestyle