Tips & Tricks - Summer job application

The closer we get to the end of the year, the closer we get the period of applying for a summer job. I guess no one can give the ultimate right answers how to do best CV or get a job, but here is at least something to think about.

Text: Silja Lehti

CV – be informative

There are probably as many ideas of a perfect CV, as there are recruiters, so it´s impossible to give some guidelines that would work for everyone. Of course a CV should be clear and informative - it should be easy for a recruiter to see within a few seconds, what you have done. Try to describe your experience with some good and relevant keywords, and keep the CV short. Things to consider: might be a good idea to describe your previous employers with few words, so that the person reading gets an idea of the company. Unless your previous employer is someone widely known, like Kone or Marimekko in Finland. To try out how informative and clear your CV actually is, ask a friend or someone who isn’t way too aware of your work history, to take a look on your CV for 10 seconds. After that ask them to tell, what they focused on and what kind of idea they get of your background based on that.

Job interview – be sure to show your interest

There are a million ways to succeed in a job interview. One important point that might seem even too obvious, but is easy to forget, is to show some real interest towards the company you´re applying for. Why would anyone want to hire someone who doesn´t seem interested at all – try to communicate that you’re impressed and interested about the industry and the company. Two things to think about for an interview, even it might seem like a cliché, prepare with one to two good questions to ask and think about something you would bring in to the company or position. Asking some relevant questions shows that you have prepared for the interview, and are interested to know more. Just don’t ask for something that already was highlighted in the job offer. Pointing out what you would bring in also gives an impression that you’re interested of the company and you have been thinking through the position. It might sometimes feel hard to think of anything like that, but everyone starting from a summer trainee can bring in something to a team and a position.

After the process – ask for feedback

Asking for feedback for application or interview from companies might feel unnecessary if you have gotten a negative answer. It’s still recommended, at least if you have been invited to an interview. In the worst case you don’t receive any answer, but in the best case you get some valuable points, which help you to do better next time.