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Finding a summer job: when to start and where to look

The best summer jobs are often filled by spring. Here's a simple timeline and the places worth checking.

First Step Career · Sep 13, 2026 · 4 min read

Summer jobs go fast. Starting early is the easiest advantage you can give yourself.

A simple timeline

  • **January to March:** camps, parks, tourism and government student programs start hiring
  • **March to April:** landscaping, construction, pools and golf courses
  • **May:** restaurants, ice cream shops and retail top up their summer staff

Where to look

  • Job boards (set up alerts for "summer" and "student")
  • Your city's website for parks, recreation and pool jobs
  • The federal and provincial student employment programs
  • Local businesses you already go to: ask in person and bring a resume

Certifications that help

First Aid and CPR, lifeguard certifications, Food Handler training and Smart Serve (in Ontario) can open doors. Some take a single weekend.

Follow up

If you drop off a resume, ask when the manager is in and come back to introduce yourself. It stands out.

Keep reading.

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