Finding a Washington DC job maybe more difficult for students this summer due to increased competition. Many adults who are out of work and struggling to find a new position have begun to look in to working for companies that traditionally provided teens and college students with employment.
For many of these individuals the idea is to simply find a job, any job, to hold them over till something more promising in their chosen field becomes available. After all, a job flipping burgers is better than no job at all. Still, with adults encroaching on DC jobs that typically belonged to the younger crowd, many students are finding it increasingly difficult to find work.
Employers naturally prefer workers with more experience, which means older employers are more desirable than applicants looking for their first jobs. In a time when the job market is saturated with an abundance of work-hungry individuals, employers are able to be more picky about who they chose for a position. Add to this the fact that the struggling economy has made employers scale back on the number of Washington DC jobs they provide, and it’s no wonder students are having a hard time getting their feet wet in the workforce.
Those looking for summertime jobs in Washington DC can increase their chances of finding work by doing a few things differently. For starters, a good number of young jobseekers make the mistake of not creating a resume. They assume that because they do not have any work experience that they have nothing to list. This is not true. Many employers will often hire students who have never worked if they have reason to believe the individual is responsible. A good way for those with little job experience to show this is create a resume that lists volunteer service, extracurricular activities, and awards and honors. This shows employers that the applicant is involved in bettering themselves and concerned with their future.
Another thing that often makes employers wary of hiring younger workers is the fact that many students are particular about the hours they are willing to work. In situations where an employer is faced with choosing between two applicants who have never held jobs before, they usually pick the individual who is willing to work when asked. Because of this, those looking for Washington DC jobs this summer should consider being more flexible about the hours they tell employers they are available to work.
Another tip for those hoping to find a Washington DC job this summer is to extended one’s search parameters. Move away from the inner part of the city, where many out of work adults are competing for positions, and begin inquiring with employers in nearby areas that are less urban. Retailers and restaurants in surrounding neighborhoods and suburbs are more likely to have vacant positions because most of the nearby adults commute to the city for work. This means that there is less competition for jobseekers in these areas.