Do you have some time off this summer and not know what to do with it? We are here to help! Summertime can be a great time to build yourself and acquire new skills and good habits. This is why we have put together a list of 6 ways to effectively use your summer to kickstart your career. If you are interested, keep reading!
- Wake up early
The first step toward having an active summer is to obey rule number one for an active lifestyle; getting out of bed early. Indeed, as the saying goes “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise”. It might not seem like much, but you'd be surprised at how much time you squander just lounging around in bed while wearing your pyjamas could be utilised to get you ahead in life. By programming an alarm to remind you to keep to your schedule, you will prevent yourself from wasting time that you could have spent doing things that are beneficial to your professional development or simply having fun. Imagine how much more you'll get done if you have a head start of a few hours.
- Volunteer
Volunteering your time during the summer, whether you are unemployed or taking a break from school, is another productive way to spend the season. It's possible that some students will find volunteer opportunities that are a natural fit with their goals for their future careers. If you want to become a nurse, for instance, you might find it beneficial to volunteer in a facility that cares for elderly people or a hospice.
Volunteering can also provide opportunities to pursue interests that are important to you, such as teaching people with learning difficulties or caring for animals in sanctuaries.Volunteering will also show your potential future employer that you have a lot of the skills needed in employment but also that you care about others and the world.
- Get A Summer Job
Even a seasonal job that has nothing to do with your long-term professional goals can be beneficial to your career. It will help you improve your ability to interview and your ability to deal with disappointment as you continue your search for employment. You will acquire the skills necessary to any job such as interacting with members of the general public, to work in a team, to take responsibility, to be accountable to others and more. Lastly, working during the summer allows you to fill your cv up a bit more.
- Clean up your social media accounts.
Social media can be great platforms to communicate, find entertainment and share important parts of your life, However, they can also work against you. Indeed, many employers check candidate’s social media to get an idea of who they are. So a few pictures or videos of you drunk praying with your friends might not send the best message. We advise you to make sure that any personal profiles you have are set to private.
If you want to keep them public, take a few minutes to clean up anything that might reflect poorly on you if a hiring manager or recruiter comes across it. You should probably go ahead and do this anyway, just in case! As soon as you begin actively looking for work, the anxiety you feel about missing out on a job opportunity due to an inappropriate public post or photo will begin to subside.
- Shop for a wardrobe suitable for a professional setting.
If you put your time to good use, even activities like shopping can be productive. Keep an eye out for nice professional wardrobe staples rather than looking for yet another pair of trainers or sunglasses. This will better serve your needs in the long run. There is not one uniform dress code that applies to all workplaces, so start by getting basics, you’ll be able to refine your wardrobe one you start a new job. When going in for job interviews, dress for the occasion and were something smarter than the company dress code to make a great impression. Because of this, it's always a good idea to have a solid professional wardrobe ready to go at all times. There is no telling when a potential job opening will present itself!
- Take online classes
And last but not least, use the summer to learn! Indeed, summertime is a great period to learn new things and develop new skills. It allows you to get ahead in the construction of your career. There are so many online classes available that no matter your trade or interest, you will find the perfect class. In addition, taking classes in the summer allows school leavers or recent graduates to maintain academic momentum and eliminates the need to get back into the swing of things when you start a new job or apprenticeship in autumn.
Don't let another summer go by without making the most of it! With the help of these six tips, you should be able to put your summertime to good use and get a head start on your career. But do not forget to have fun as well! If you are interested in taking online classes this summer, visit our website to find the perfect class for you.