Nowhere beats Bermuda in the summer job department.

There are so many opportunities you just need to open your eyes and look around.

In my four years as a summer student, I worked in hospitality with a party planning company, in an investment company, an advertising company and at The Royal Gazette.

What you need to realise is people want you. Yes, you. Employers want young Bermudians willing to work. With the right attitude, a good resume and a winning smile, finding a summer job won’t be a problem.

But it takes some work, and trust me again I’ve been there too. I’ve written, addressed and sent out 20 resumes and waited to hear back. When I didn’t hear back from one of the businesses I wanted to work in, I walked into the reception and asked to see someone about a summer job. An hour later I walked out with my first job.

So those are three key things about getting a summer job:

1) Open your eyes and see opportunity everywhere and don’t be too picky

2) Get a good resume together and mail it off (see story on this page)

3) Don’t be shy about asking for what you want

So what type of jobs are out there? And why should you get one?

Summer jobs are the perfect way to find out what you want to do when you’re older. Think you want to be a lawyer? One way to find out is to actually work in a law firm or the courts and see for yourself.

International businesses are always looking for additional help in the summer when other employees go away. One good resource is Bermuda Foundation for Insurance Studies, www.bfis.com, which has a whole section geared towards summer jobs. Also the Bermuda International Business Association, www.biba.org, can help you out with information that could be useful in an interview.

What about hospitality? Well you’re in major luck there because that industry really wants young Bermudians. There are programmes everywhere, for example the Little Venice Group has a summer training programme. Or why not talk to tourists and tell them about your Island home as a pop and sizzle ambassador through the Department of Tourism?

Like animals? Why not apply to be a Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo summer intern or Dolphin Quest.

And don’t forget about retail because shops are always looking for some help.

There are also plenty of jobs in the civil service so give the Government’s Human Resources Department a call at 295-2858 and find out what they have available.

So once you’ve picked the job, written and mailed the resumes and door knocked them when you haven’t heard back, what then?

It’s time to wow them in an interview. Go smartly dressed - no sneakers, frayed or baggy jeans. Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. So don’t go looking like a student, look like a young professional.

In the interview be articulate and calm.

Go in there with you head high, tell them about yourself and ask them some questions too. Have these questions ready and on hand for tongue tied moments:

What would I do as a summer student for you?

Is there any chance for me to get more responsibilities if I do a good job?

Do summer students usually come back the next summer/get a job at this company?

Does this sound like a lot of work? That’s why it’s called a job. But don’t worry, come pay day you’ll forget all about the work it took you to get there.

What a way to spend the summer: Bermuda’s pop and sizzle ambassadors.