Planning Ahead For Summer Jobs: Securing Seasonal Roles Early
For SSDI beneficiaries considering returning to work after a medical improvement, seasonal work can ... More be an effective way of easing back into the workforce. Social Security's Ticket to Work Program (TTW), with its trial work period allows participants to try getting back to work without fear of losing their benefits for a period of time and offers help from professional employment specialists.
Finding a summer job when you have a medical condition or injury can present certain challenges, but with some planning and strategy, you can find the right role.
Understand that competition for seasonal workers can be intense. Many individuals are choosing flexible employment opportunities, so these positions are coveted. For SSDI beneficiaries considering returning to work after a medical improvement, seasonal work can be an effective way of easing back into the workforce. Social Security's Ticket to Work Program (TTW), with its trial work period allows participants to try getting back to work without fear of losing their benefits for a period of time and offers help from professional employment specialists.
Consider these tips to help you land a great summer role:
Get Searching Early
Initiate your job search well before the summer season. Many employers begin recruiting for summer roles several months ahead to be sure they have time to find the right candidates and are adequately staffed when they most need it. Applying early gives you a wide range of opportunities and helps avoid the last-minute rush. As you start searching, know which industries you are interested in. Hospitality, retail, tourism and event planning all offer summer work.
An Employment Network or state Vocational Rehabilitation agency through TTW can help with searching for jobs, finding transferrable skills and roles that match your skills and interests.
Network, Network, Network
Be sure to use your professional and personal networks to find potential job leads. Let friends, family, and acquaintances know you are in search of a new position. Contacting former employers and colleagues – particularly those you enjoyed working with can help expand your reach. Be sure to ask them what they enjoyed about working with you and what skills they feel you bring to the table – seeing yourself through their eyes may help you communicate more effectively with prospective employers. And, leveraging your networks can help you find roles that aren't publicly available yet.
Practice Your Interview Skills
Consider what questions you'll be asked and practice your responses. Job search sites like Monster and Indeed often have lists of common interview questions and answers that you can study. The STAR method of answering questions, which stands for 'Situation,' 'Task,' 'Answer' and 'Result' is a good format to use for interviews. It allows you to give concise, thoughtful answers and explain how you resolved an issue or relate how you would attempt to solve a hypothetical challenge. Think of it as telling a story. STAR gives employers insight into how you think and problem-solve.
Seasonal jobs offer you the opportunity to learn new skills and gain industry-specific knowledge. Know what skills your prospective employer is looking for and speak to those in your interviews. These might include being a team player, customer service skills and thriving in a fast-paced environment. Exploring the company's online presence can help you understand their brand, values and culture which makes you stand out amongst strong competition.
Your Ticket to Work vocational expert can give you another competitive edge. They can assist by role playing mock online interviews with you. Getting prepared with their professional expertise and guidance can help you ace an interview and leave a great impression with an employer, opening the door for a great seasonal position.
Follow Up
After you've applied or interviewed, following up is a critical step that demonstrates your professionalism and reaffirms your interest in the position. Be sure to send a thank you note the day after your interview. Let the manager know you enjoyed the conversation by mentioning something specific you discussed. Expressing gratitude for the opportunity and reiterating your interest in the position can help you stand out from other candidates.
If you haven't heard back within a few weeks after the interview, you can call or email to check in about next steps and where you stand. If you don't land the job, stay positive and keep applying for other roles. If you enjoyed meeting with an employer, ask about future roles. If you stood out, they may remember you for a new role.
Getting back into the workforce while managing a medical condition or injury, can feel overwhelming, but seasonal roles are a great way to ease back in. The Ticket to Work Program provides powerful incentives and no cost professional support to get you back to work. Your vocational expert is there to guide you on every step of your return to work journey. By implementing the strategies above and employing the help of your EN or VR, you can effectively position yourself to land a rewarding summer job that can help you test the waters of getting back into the workforce while protecting your SSDI benefits.
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