Feature -- by Nextsteps Staff

School's finished and you want a job. Where do you start? One suggested starting place is the "Hire A Student" centre. Calgary has its very own location at the corner of 12 Avenue and 4 Street S.W. We visited it recently and this is what we found out.

What does Hire A Student do?

Hire A Student has two main services. The first is the job posting service. This assists two groups of individuals. It provides employers with a place to post jobs and it provides students  a place to come and view the large collection of job postings. It is a well organized go-between for the employer and potential employees. Secondly, there are student employment counsellors at the centre that provide job counselling services. This includes workshops on job searching, interviews, and resumé writing.

What type of jobs are there?

Jobs are classified into a few different sections. Career jobs - these jobs are related to a particular person's education or training and generally these jobs require expertise and technical knowledge. Sales and service jobs - These positions relate to travel, tourism or retail business. Labour jobs - These positions involve maintenance, construction or general labour. Domestic - From babysitting to daycare, these jobs relate in some form to home life and children. Clerical - These jobs are office focused.

What jobs are in demand?

Hire A Student employers often have a demand for individuals who possess computer skills including program and extensive software knowledge. These positions would be more career focused as opposed to the temporary, non-technical positions. More and more there is a demand for students that have some marketing, technical or research background.

Who comes to Hire A Student?

A large majority of the clients are post-secondary students and surprisingly the average age is getting higher. There are many mature students who use the centre as their main job search centre.

What things do you recommend in obtaining summer employment?

1. Start early
2. Polish your resumé
3. Attend the workshops at Hire A Student
4. Cold call. Pick up the yellow pages and phone. It works.
5. Create work. Do some research and see where the voids are. Offer that service. Hire A Student has a person who specializes on starting your own summer business.

If I were to come into Hire A Student, what would my time spent there look like?

Hire A Student provides a flexible self-serve environment. Register at the reception desk and from that point on the choices are yours. Most employment seekers will gravitate to the on-line job postings. Some will attend mini-workshops. H.A.S. asks that you make an appointment for the resumé workshops. Others services H.A.S. offers includes:

• Student Business Registry - A vast resource of information on starting your own business.
• Casual Labour - If you want short term work (up to 2 weeks) this is the service for you.
• Enhanced services - If you are facing unique challenges that may increase the difficulty of your job search.
• Native Student Network - A service for aboriginal students.
• Adult Student Network - For the mature student.
• Assessment Services - if your job search has reached a point of frustration you may want to access this service for some tips on employment searching.
• Junior Job Seekers - for ages 12 to 15.

Hire A Student has eager and well trained staff waiting to assist you in your summer employment needs. Don't hesitate to head down to the centre and take advantage of all of the services offered or pay them a cybervisit at their new website.

Hire-a-student is funded by the Federal Government and the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.