Summer Jobs in Stockport
Looking to earn some extra cash this summer? Need to gain work experience or explore potential career paths? Want to try something out on a temporary basis before committing to a permanent job? Find out more about Summer Jobs in Stockport.
What kind of Summer Jobs are available?
When it comes to seasonal work, there’s a few common sectors and job types that are readily available to meet peaks in demand during the May-September period. These include:
#1 Hospitality & Events – from festivals to weddings, bar staff to café assistants, we all like to get out and socialise more during the warmer weather. Bars, restaurants, pubs, cafes, caterers, event venues and hospitality agencies are a good place to start in looking for temp work. Many of the big chains will advertise these jobs online, but you can also try popping into your local venue to see if they’re hiring. Remember however that for some hospitality roles where alcohol is served, you will need to be over 18.
#2 Retail – whether it’s a new holiday wardrobe, garden furniture, camping goods or back-to-school uniforms, many retailers have a surge over the summer period and are on the look out for temporary retail assistants to help cover. Previous retail experience always helps, but most are happy to provide training and roles are available on part-time contracts usually with a minimum of 8 hours per week. Bag yourself an opportunity and the company may even offer to keep you on after September as a part-time role whilst you study.
#3 Cleaning – schools, offices, shops and civic buildings all still need cleaning over the summer period – either because they are closed for this period or to cover the holidays of other staff. They tend to offer roles working a few hours each day (usually early mornings or late afternoons) so are ideal if you don’t want to be pinned down to full shifts.
#4 General Temporary Jobs – don’t forget that companies advertise for temporary workers throughout the year for a range of reasons. Many of these aren’t advertised as Summer Jobs specifically, but are usually for a few weeks at a time or on a rolling temporary contract (week to week). They range from warehouse work to office administration so are a great way to try out a new working environment and gain some experience. Just be sure to explain when you apply that you’re looking for work until September.
#5 Summer Internships – some companies (usually larger ones) offer 3 month placements over the summer holidays where you’ll have the opportunity to work in different areas of their business to gain experience or complete a placement in a specific area (like engineering or accounts). These tend to be highly competitive and applications sometimes open almost a year in advance. Whilst you might be a bit late to find one for 2023, there are a couple still open and you can always consider these for next year instead.
How do I find a temporary Summer Job in Stockport?
You can try searching online (in your search engine of choice), registering on job boards (like Indeed, CVLibrary or Total Jobs) or even using social media sites (like Facebook and Twitter).
Local companies in the town or district centres may put an advert on their website or a poster in their window, or you can simply pop in with a copy of your CV to see if they’re hiring.
Don’t forget that lots of jobs are simply promoted through word of mouth, so try asking around friends or family members or posting on your own social media page to let people know you’re available for work.
What will employers be looking for?
If you’re considering applying for Summer work, there’s a few important things that employers will be looking for. You’ll need an update to date CV (even if you’re a student with no work experience yet) and often will be asked to complete a short online application form. You’ll then need to show you have transferable skills including:
#1 Flexibility – make it clear on your CV or application what hours you can work, when you can start, what date you’ll need to finish and if you have any holidays booked. Most employers relying on seasonal workers will want people to work specific shifts, often including evenings and weekends. Showing you are free at the times they need you and can be flexible to pick up more hours if needed, will really help give you a competitive edge.
#2 Reliable – try to emphasise that you can be relied upon to get there on time and be committed. For seasonal roles, employers will need to know you will turn up to every shift without letting them or their customers down. Make sure you’ve explored the public transport times so you know you can definitely get there or tell them if you have access to your own car.
#3 Quick Learner – you’ll likely be expected to be able to hit the ground running and think on your feet. Your manager or supervisor may not have a huge amount of time to train you up so you’ll need to be able to work independently and use your own initiative. Mentioning you’re a quick learner and a motivated attitude will be key attributes for a prospective employer.
Employers are also looking for core skills like IT competency, customer service and communication, and being a team player.
What else can I do this Summer?
If you’re not sure you have the time or motivation to commit to finding a job this summer, but do want to do something to keep you busy, gain new skills to give your CV a boost or make new friends, here’s some ideas of what else you can do this Summer:
#1 Start Volunteering – a great way to gain hands-on work experience, meet new people and give something back to a good cause, there’s plenty of volunteering jobs here in Stockport available on a part-time or short-term basis. Whether you want to help with gardening and litter picking, at a community group or youth centre, or using your digital skills to help a social media with their marketing campaigns, take a look on the Stockport Volunteer Hub to find a new opportunity.
#2 Try Virtual Work Experience – never heard of vWEX? It’s online work experience where you can gain an insight into a particular company or sector, speak to an expert and even complete a short project to showcase your skills. There’s plenty happening throughout the Summer in all areas – from fashion to green jobs, engineering to medicine – lasting from a couple of hours to a whole week long. If you’re still in full-time education, sign-up on Speakers for Schools or Springpod.
#3 Attend a Careers Event – there’s plenty of jobs fairs, careers events and open days happening over the Summer. Whether you’re looking for work or just want to find out more about future careers and prospective employers, it’s a good way to increase your knowledge of what’s available local and even start making some new connections.
#4 Take a short Training Course – whether it’s a one-hour online webinar, an e-learning module you complete over a few weeks, or an in-person full-day course, there’s plenty of fully funded (that’s free!) training courses available. Search free courses locally with the National Careers Service Course Finder.
#5 Research Future Careers – if you’re unsure what jobs you’re interested in, what to study at college or sixth form, or whether an apprenticeship might be a better route for you, spend some time this Summer exploring potential career options. Download our Digital Careers Prospectus for Stockport, watch our Future World of Work video, view our Career Guides or explore local Employer Day-in-the-Life Videos.
