By Lilly Workneh

As the school year begins to wind down to an end, so do our wallets, meaning all the fun and free time we’ll have throughout summer will have to be spent without money. There are plenty of things you can do to have fun that come without a cost, but let’s be realistic, a little moola won’t hurt.

So how is it that we get this extra dough: it’s not from our parents, and it’s not from our friends, our last resort is ourselves. Meaning it’s time to get a summer job!

On your quest for finding a summer job, each one of us may have a clear vision of our dream part time job, maybe at their favorite clothing store, restaurant, or mall. Flipping through newspapers and surfing through the web may bring you many results; however, it will not always supply you with specific information.

When finding a job, one thing is key, prepare a resume. Your resume is your record of your personality and skills, showing off every aspect of your assets and highlighting your quality skills. Once you have your resume, it’s time to think about what time of job you’d like to have, whether it is in retail, in a hospital, physical activity, or maybe even in an office. Think about what your interests are and try to find out what type of job will keep you busy yet entertained.

Now it’s time to get down to the nitty gritty and do some research. If you looked through the newspapers and browsed through the web and found some sources then cool, go ahead and call them up! If not, then the first thing you should do is research the company you’d like to work for. Either give them a call, or go in and receive an application. Once you’ve gotten an application, fill it out and return it as soon as possible, impressing your hopeful employers of your true determination of getting the job.

Next step, if your application takes you far enough to  get an interview, make sure your attire is appropriate and formal. First impressions last, so tuck in your shirts, pull up your pants, comb your hair and slap a smile on your face.

We all want to lay down and be lazy around all summer, but the fact is that we won’t be very productive. By using the tips above and getting a summer job, not only will it be something for you to get up and do, but also put cash in your pocket, and ultimately, that’s one of the best rewards.