5 Tips for Finding That Perfect Summer Job While in Quarantine

You hear it every day. This is a really confusing and unprecedented time. Sure, we have no idea when we’re ever going to be able to return to normalcy, and it is unclear if we ever will. One thing’s for sure: if this continues, you will eventually need to find a way to make money. The idea of getting a job right now is scary. Of course, you don’t want to catch the virus, so that leaves out Target--even though they offer an enviable $13 an hour starting wage. However, your current habit of getting Uber Eats and Instacart pretty much every day is not exactly economically viable when you have no stable income. To keep you from slipping into cyclical poverty, here are 5 tips for finding your perfect summer job in the time of the coronavirus.

Tip 1: Re-Examine Your Morals

Sure, working in the time of the COVID-19 isn’t fully sound from a moral perspective. As young people, we could carry the coronavirus for weeks, completely unaware. If we worked at a grocery store or restaurant, we could be spreading the virus to hundreds, if not thousands of people. If you have any form of moral compass, this will probably prevent you from seeking employment. However, if you tend to fall more on the apathetic side of the moral spectrum, this won’t be an issue.

Tip 2: Make Yourself Stand Out

If you decide to continue and search for employment, you must understand that you have a lot of competition. But don’t let the number of single parents and minimum wage workers that have lost their jobs discourage you. These people, who have ultimately been failed by our economic and political system, will prove to be a major inconvenience to you while applying to Publix or Papa Johns. All of these people who need the money to feed their families and pay their rent will probably be prioritized by business owners. I know what you’re thinking. This is so annoying. I understand that this is tough, but with all of these factors, it will be important to make yourself stand out however you can!

Tip 3: Apply Everywhere

Jobs are filling up fast. At this point, the idea of getting a Publix bagger or a Panera soup chef position is a complete fantasy. Have you ever operated a table saw? Home Depot is hiring for practically every position--except the special event hot dog cart. If you are desperate, I wouldn’t rule out any form of manual labor. You could work construction or unload boxes or something. What else are you going to do? You’re an English major. You need to take what you can get.

Tip 4: Be Resilient

When applying to all of these jobs, you are likely to get rejected or never hear back from most of them. In the time of self-isolation, this might be tough on your already fragile mental state. It is important to manage this and continue to push forward. If you are too crushed by your rejection from Hungry Howies and stop applying around, you could be risking losing potential opportunities to make $13 in tips during your 8-hour shift.

Tip 5: OnlyFans

Need I say more?